Country singer delivers ‘the worst nationwide anthem EVER’ at HR Derby

It’s hard to turn patriotic Texans off to The Star-Spangled Banner, but four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress nearly did exactly that before Monday’s Home Run Derby.

In what many described as ‘the worst national anthem ever,’ the 32-year-old country singer contorted Francis Scott Key’s poem into a shrill, somber death march. At least one player, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm, cracked a smile during the rendition, while attendees at Globe Life Field in Arlington quickly joined in to compete with Andress’ sharp, crackling voice.

More than a few fans reacted on social media by sharing photos of Donald Trump‘s bleeding ear from this weekend’s shooting in Pennsylvania. Others simply made vague references to the failed assassination attempt, but the joke was clear nonetheless. 

‘That Ingrid Andress national anthem might have been the worst thing to happen in America in the last 48 hours,’ one person wrote on X,

Amazingly, the All-Star crowd politely offered Andress a round of applause, although a few intermittent boos could be heard during the ESPN broadcast before spectators watched the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez beat the field for his first Home Run Derby title. 

Four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress struggled through the anthem on Monday

Several critics were reminded of other nightmarish anthem performances, such as Roseanne Barr’s, Carl Lewis’ and Fergie’s. 

‘Fergie vibes were in the building tonight,’ read a post from Barstool Sports’ X account. 

‘I’m dying of secondhand embarrassment,’ one fan wrote on X. ‘This immediately joins the pantheon of worst sporting renditions of the Star Spangled Banner. Roseanne Barr and Carl Lewis eat your heart out.’

Barr faced intense criticism after intentionally bombing the anthem before a San Diego Padres game in 1990. She ended her rendition by screaming the final few notes and then grabbing her crotch. 

Dozens – maybe hundreds – of social media users quickly offered their opinions on the anthem

Phillies slugger and Home Run Derby contestant Alec Bohm struggled to contain his laughter

Ingrid Andress at the Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago, Illinois, on 6 August 2023 

Later Barr claimed she was just imitating a ballplayer with the gesture. 

Three years later, Olympic sprinter Carl Lewis’ infamous performance of The Star-Spangled Banner drew jeers before a Nets-Bulls game in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 

Fergie, a singer from the Black Eyed Peas, practically lost her voice while performing the anthem during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. 

Later she apologized to fans. 

‘I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,’ she said in a 2018 statement. 

‘I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.’

DODGERS’ HERNANDEZ WINS MLB’S HOME RUN DERBY 

Teoscar Hernandez 

Teoscar Hernandez became the first Los Angeles Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Globe Life Field.

Hernandez edged Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the final, clubbing 14 homers to Witt’s 13. It came down to the wire, as Witt nearly tied things up when he sent a deep fly ball to left-center, but it didn’t end up clearing the wall.

Hernandez was the 11th different player in Dodgers history to compete in the event. He advanced out of the opening round with 19 home runs, then defeated the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm in a three-swing swing-off in the semifinals.

Bohm and Hernandez had each hit 14 long balls to force the swing-off.

In the final, Hernandez went first and hit 11 home runs during regulation. He added three more in the bonus round.

Witt had 11 home runs in regulation and was down to his final out of the bonus session when he cranked his 12th home run, which traveled 450 feet and bought him an additional out. He added one more homer before his rally fell just short.

-Reuters