Yankees Win Despite National Anthem Controversy on Opening Day

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Yankees kicked off their 2025 season with a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, despite a distracting performance of the national anthem by Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe.

Wolfe, known for her role in ‘& Juliet,’ performed ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Yankee Stadium but drew criticism from fans for appearing to read the lyrics off her phone. The mishap sparked a flurry of negative reactions on social media, with many calling it ’embarrassing’ and ‘the worst’ rendition ever presented at a sporting event.

During the game, Yankees catcher Austin Wells became the first catcher in Major League Baseball history to hit a lead-off home run on opening day. His impressive performance boosted team morale amid a challenging offseason that included losing star player Juan Soto to free agency.

Despite a rocky start to the ninth inning, New York’s closer Devin Williams helped seal the victory by striking out two key batters, securing the win for the Yankees after an intense final frame.

Following Wolfe’s performance, some fans expressed their disappointment on social media, with comments like, ‘Whoever is singing the anthem for the Yankees game gotta be embarrassed,’ highlighting the unexpected use of her phone during such a significant moment.

Wolfe is no stranger to the spotlight, having previously been nominated for a Tony Award in 2023 for her role in ‘And Juliet.’ However, this opening day incident may overshadow her achievements as criticism continues to surface.

The Yankees will face the Brewers again on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET, as they look to build on their opening-day success.