Rockstar, known O’s fan Joan Jett set to sing the national anthem.
Highly coveted rockstar Joan Jett has been a known Baltimore Orioles fan for many years. Jett (originally Joan Marie Larkin) first became an O’s fan back in 1969 after seeing a game with her father. The first game she saw was Jim Palmer against James “Catfish” Hunter of the Oakland A’s. Jett and her father witnessed Jim Palmer throw a no-hitter in an 8-0 Orioles win on August 13th, 1969. According to Billboard, Jett is a self-described “Orioles freak” and has followed the team since the late 60’s.
Joan Jett has been a familiar face in the Orioles broadcast booth this season. Her most recent appearance was on August 28th against the White Sox. While in the booth, Ben McDonald asked her if the 2023 Orioles reminded her of any other Orioles team in the past. After thinking, she mentioned that this team is different from the rest. Jett also mentions how she’s been “very involved” in watching the team’s minor league development. “I think I just gravitated to the Orioles because of their winning culture,” Jett said. The comment was made in regard to watching the team as a kid, but she said she’s encouraged how the O’s have been able to bring that culture back.
Jett is from Philadelphia, not too far from Baltimore. She was in a group called Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. The group’s most successful album came in 1981 and was called “I Love Rock ‘n Roll.” The album reached number 2 on the billboard top 100 that year.
More notable news from Game 1 tomorrow is that Adam Jones will throw out the first pitch. Jones spent 11 of his 14 years with the Orioles and was a 5-time all-star. He was most recently retired as an Oriole on September 15th of this year.
A rockstar and team legend will bring more energy to an already packed house Saturday afternoon. Baltimore will look to gain all the energy it can heading into the ALDS against a hungry Texas Rangers team. It was also confirmed that Kyle Bradish will get the ball tomorrow. So, buckle up Birdland, here we go.
