DETROIT (AP) - The Queen of Soul is back, hoping to help her hometown Detroit Tigers bounce back in the AL championship series.
Aretha Franklin sang the national anthem, with plenty of soul, of course, before the Tigers played Texas in Game 3. Detroit then won 5-2, trimming the Rangers’ edge in the best-of-seven matchup to 2-1.
Franklin, sporting a Tigers hat, was greeted by cheers from the Comerica Park crowd when she walked onto the field.
Many in the stands had goose bumps by the time her deliberate rendition was done under a full moon on a crisp and clear night with a huge U.S. flag covering much of the outfield.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he could tell Texas manager Ron Washington enjoyed Franklin’s performance.
“I was worried. I was standing close to home plate tonight when Aretha Franklin was singing the national anthem. He was moving around. I got nervous because she pumped him up a bit,” Leyland said.
The 69-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer underwent surgery last year for an undisclosed ailment. She has attributed losing more than 80 pounds to a change in diet and exercise.
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