Drake Grillo may be little, but he has a booming voice and the big-time confidence to go with it. That’s part of the reason why the Auburn Doubledays asked the 3-year-old if he would sing the National Anthem prior to their July 11 game against the Lowell Spinners.
Drake, who had his mother kneeling beside him to help him remember all of the words, was asked by the team’s assistant general manager, Shane Truman, if he would be interested in handling the sizeable responsibility. He gave a resounding yes, so the minor league baseball team had no problem putting the microphone in his hand.
“There were a few questionable words in there,” his mother, Chelsea Grillo, told Democrat & Chronicle. “We just didn’t know how it would go….Drake started singing it in the winter and will randomly sing it off and on during the day.”
His performance has since gone viral.
As it turns out, Drake’s performance on the diamond is just the beginning. The toddler will be singing the Star Spangled Banner again at a fundraiser for hip dysplasia on July 29 in his hometown of Auburn, New York. The cause hits close to home for the family. Drake’s 17-month-old sister, Saylor, has the condition and has endured surgery and multiple casts to help correct the issue.
“Drake is very protective of his baby sister around strangers; she’s usually the first person he wants to see when he wakes up in the morning — to give her a hug and kiss,” Chelsea told APlus.
All proceeds from the event will go to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital to fund specially-designed chairs and car seats that can be loaned to families dealing with the condition.
“There is a huge need for items that these kids — babies, toddlers, young children — can use,” Chelsea said. “Their legs need to be placed at certain angles, and do not fit in typical high chairs, strollers, car seats, and more.”
As for young Drake? His voice, so far, is a home run.
