103-Year-Old WWII Veteran Performs National Anthem Before MLB Game
A 103-year-old World War II veteran delivered the national anthem before a Major League Baseball game, followed by a ceremonial first pitch.
A 103-year-old veteran of World War II performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a Major League Baseball game, drawing applause from the crowd in a moment that blended sport and national remembrance. The performance was followed by a ceremonial first pitch thrown by a duo tied to the club.
A Veteran on the Mound and the Microphone
The centenarian took the field in uniform, standing tall as he sang the anthem in its entirety. Ballpark attendees rose for the rendition, and video of the appearance circulated widely on social media. Organizers highlighted the veteran's long life and service as the backdrop for the pregame ceremony, framing the moment as a tribute to the so-called Greatest Generation.
Ceremonial First Pitch
Following the anthem, a two-person group delivered the ceremonial first pitch. Details about the throwers were not specified in the initial MLB.com report, though the league regularly pairs anthem performances with symbolic first pitches featuring veterans, community figures, or team alumni.
Honoring Service Through Baseball
Major League clubs have a long tradition of inviting service members onto the field for pregame rituals. The appearance adds to a series of recent recognitions of older veterans, including tributes connected to D-Day commemorations, that have placed aging WWII survivors in front of national audiences.
- The veteran, 103, sang the anthem in full before a regularly scheduled MLB contest.
- A duo followed with the ceremonial first pitch.
- Clubs continue to weave military tributes into standard pregame ceremonies.