The 2026 Major League Baseball season is underway at Citi Field in Queens, New York. It could be going better for the Mets.
New York is trailing Pittsburgh, 2-0, following a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. But the vibes were bad before the first pitch. The national anthem, performed by Christopher Jackson - an American actor and singer known for his role in "Hamilton" - received mixed reviews.
Jackson, who plays George Washington in the iconic broadway musical, botched the words to "The Star Spangled Banner" before the first pitch on Thursday afternoon. MLB fans were quick to point out the mistakes.
Jackson messed up pretty early on in the song.
After singing, "through the perilous fight" he paused for a moment and then went into "what so proudly we "what so proudly we hail’d."
MLB fans were quick to point out the mistake
"The guy who played George Washington in Hamilton just forgot the words to the national anthem in opening day for the Mets game. Priceless," one fan wrote.
"George Washington forgetting the words to the national anthem followed by our brand new ace giving up an opening two-run homer to last season’s MLB worst offense. EXPERIENCE METS BASEBALL I LOVE THIS TEAM," one fan added.
"Chris Jackson. Plays GEORGE WASHINGTON in HAMILTON. Forgets the words to the National Anthem on NATIONAL TV," one fan added.
"Well, that’s unfortunate. The national anthem singer on the nationally-televised Mets’ opening day, a Tony Award winner, one Chris Jackson, forgot the words," another fan wrote.
It's an unfortunate mistake, in that kind of moment, though he's hardly the first national anthem singer at a major sporting event to flub up the words.
At least he finished strong.
The opening day game between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates is airing live on NBC and Peacock.
