Shaky Star-Spangled Banner goes viral at inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League game

The Women’s Pro Baseball League kicked off in Springfield, Illinois, with the New York Heights and Los Angeles Queens, the Queens winning 10-8. On opening day, 85-year-old Motown icon Martha Reeves performed the US national anthem on the mound, but her rendition was notably shaky and drew wide attention as cameras captured audience reactions and players’ faces. The clip exploded on social media, sparking a flurry of memes and commentary about anthem performances, while some defended Reeves and highlighted the song’s notorious difficulty and the age-related vocal challenges for singers.