PHOENIX — A blind and autistic clarinet player from Arizona performed the national anthem on Monday at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 home opener.
Joe Giacinto, 21, strode to the plate at Chase Field and performed a solid version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” according to American Songwriter.
It was just another night for Giacinto, KNXV reported. He has sat in with jazz bands in New Orleans and performed at an Atlanta Hawks game in January at the invitation of Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, who is the father of a child with autism.
Joe Giacinto, a blind and autistic clarinet phenom, performed tonight's National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/SKYs1JCWwq
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 31, 2026
Giacinto was originally asked by the Diamondbacks before the 2020 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the performance to become a virtual one, KNXV reported.
Monday night, he performed in front of a crowd of 48,350 fans.
“Such an amazing opportunity, I can’t wait,” Giacinto said before the game.
Giacinto has played the clarinet for more than a decade, mastering every song by ear, KNXV reported.
The response was proof that they appreciated his talent.
The Diamondbacks also sent their fans home happy, holding off the Detroit Tigers 9-6.
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