Disastrous Home Run Derby Anthem Sung by Coloradan
Singing the Home Run Derby anthem is a prestigious honor. Ingrid Andress, a Highlands Ranch native, seemed more than qualified for the task. At 32, she’s a four-time Grammy nominee, a Rock Canyon High School alumna, and a multiple-time Billboard Hot 100 artist who has headlined numerous tours.
However, when she took the spotlight on Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the performance did not go as planned. Her rendition of the anthem to open the Home Run Derby resulted in one minute and 42 seconds of off-key notes and painful listening.
Andress missed as many notes as a batter might miss pitches when facing National League starter Paul Skenes. By the time she finished, social media was ablaze with comparisons to some of the most infamous renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events, with names like “Roseanne Barr” and “Fergie” trending.
While the actual All-Star Game is set for Tuesday night, featuring Ryan McMahon as the sole Rockies representative making his first appearance, Andress’s performance at the Home Run Derby has already overshadowed any potential achievements. McMahon could become the second consecutive Rockies player to earn MVP honors at the Midsummer Classic, yet he would still come second to Andress’s unforgettable anthem performance—for all the wrong reasons.
