Peterson returns to sing anthem as youth are honored at Game 2

Game 2 of the World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers featured an annual tradition for Major League Baseball -- the recognition of dozens of young people lauded for their achievements in 2024. MLB invited over 100 student-athletes who participated in various MLB-led community programs nationwide on-field to celebrate their achievements.

The pregame ceremony also included a repeat performance from Pearle Peterson, who sang the national anthem at the World Series for the second year in a row. Peterson, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a former member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a major partner for MLB's youth-related initiatives.

Peterson, 19, had originally aspired to eventually attend law school. But her performance a year ago -- and the enthusiastic reception that followed -- prompted her to make a pivot. She now is hoping to turn music from a passion to a profession.

“When I booked the World Series for the first time [in 2023], I had 10 days to prepare,” she said. “And it was the most stressful 10 days of my life, I was a wreck. I really started doubting my talent and my ability. … I had to tell myself, ‘You’re here, you’re doing it, just go to home plate and do your thing.’

“Really, the moment I started singing … really solidified that this was what I was meant to be doing. Truly couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It’s my greatest passion and my greatest love.”

Peterson’s performance kicked off an inspired celebration of thriving young people prior to Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. The student-athletes who took part in the pregame ceremonies included the winning teams from the 2024 NIKE RBI World Series, MLB Youth Academy Networks “Youth of the Year,” MLB Develops MVPs presented by Chevrolet, Play Ball Players of the Month, the 2024 American Legion Champions, the Pitch Hit & Run Finalists and Jennie Finch Empowerment Award winners.

The recognition of the high-achieving baseball and softball players aims to celebrate MLB’s commitment to growing the game and inspiring future players. Development at the youth level isn’t just about the pros – it’s about the young players carrying the sport’s legacy forward.

Among the young people honored before Game 2 include:

2024 Nike RBI World Series champions, including Chicago White Sox Nike RBI (junior & senior baseball divisions) and Houston Astros Nike RBI (softball division). Nearly 30 Nike RBI players and coaches attended the World Series.

MLB Youth Academy Network “Youth of the Year,” including 10 members of the MLB Youth Academies from around the country and Puerto Rico. The honorees are their respective Academy’s “Youth of the Year,” which recognizes a member who has had a positive year on and off the field, has overcome challenges in their lives, or has made a positive impact in their community:

Saul Carpio from Montebello, CA (MLB Compton Youth Academy)
Madeline Cohen from Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Phillies MLB Youth Academy)
Josnel Ortiz from Yabucoa, Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy)
Sophia Smith from Kansas City, MO (Kansas City Royals MLB Youth Academy)
Armando Bailey from Humble, TX (Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy)
Caitlin Baldwin from New Orleans, LA (New Orleans MLB Youth Academy)
Giovanca Frias from Irving, TX (Texas Rangers Youth Academy)
Avery Battle from Cincinnati, OH (P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Demi Small from New York, NY (DREAM MLB Youth Academy)
Noelle O’Brien from Washington, D.C. (Washington National Youth Baseball Academy)

CHEVROLET’S “MLB Develops MVP” and “PLAY BALL Player of the Month”: Chevrolet continued its commitment to youth baseball & softball, including its support of MLB’s “PLAY BALL” initiative through two awards that recognize outstanding performances of youth around the U.S. and Canada. This includes the “MLB Develops MVP” Award, which recognizes standout performances by youth baseball and softball players at some of the premier, MLB-led league and development events.

Additionally, Chevrolet acknowledged important contributions to the sport from youth around the country (two players per month), as nominated by their coaches, community leaders or local league officials through the “PLAY BALL Player of the Month.”

MLB Develops MVP:

Clayton Armah from Great Falls, VA – Breakthrough Series (Boys Baseball)
Jermirah Birchett from Jersey City, NJ – Softball Elite Development Invitational (Girls Softball)
Carmen Bivins from Missouri City, TX – All-Star Jennie Finch Classic (Girls Softball)
Jada Cooper from Houston, TX – Nike RBI World Series Softball Championship (Girls Softball)
Izzie Dieter from San Diego, CA – Trailblazer Series (Girls Baseball)
Connor Elenteny from Chicago, IL – Nike RBI World Series Sr. Division Championship (Boys Baseball)
Gavin Fien from Temecula, CA – MLB-USA Baseball High School All-American Game (Boys Baseball)
Keamani Fujimoto from Williamsburg, VA – Breakthrough Series (Girls Softball)
Jalen McLin from McKinney, TX – All-Star Commissioner’s Cup (Boys Baseball)
Luciana Moreno from Sun Prairie, WI – Girls Baseball Elite Development Invitational (Girls Baseball)
Anthony Murphy from Corona, CA – Breakthrough Series Invitational Tournament (Boys Baseball)
Josiah Patterson from Chicago, IL – Nike RBI World Series Jr. Division Championship (Boys Baseball)
Rookie Shepard from North Las Vegas, NV – Breakthrough Series Invitational Tournament (Boys Baseball)

PLAY BALL Player of the Month:

Carissa Strange from Phoenix, AZ (April)
Hudson Carter from Bountiful, UT (April)
Piper West from Franklin, KY (May)
Jace Reichbach from Parkland, FL (May)
Mya Rosploch from La Salle, IL (June)
Trevor Roberts from Stormville, NY (June)
Mikayla Condray from Wright City, MO (July)
Zayne Gonzales from Gooding, ID (July)
Sammy Barrea from Corcoran, CA (August)
Lillian Roush from New Haven, WV (August)
Lillian Grounds from Chesapeake, VA (September)
Marco DiBenedetto from Lake Forth, FL (September)

Winners of the prestigious Jennie Finch Empowerment Award were also recognized on the field and presented with their Arm & Hammer scholarship checks. Four athletes who demonstrated leadership characteristics on and off the softball field received that award this year. Representatives from Church & Dwight Co., Inc., commemorated a $40,000 scholarship donation ($10,000 on behalf of each winner) to each recipient:

Yasmin Burrell from Spring Hill, MD – Softball Breakthrough Series
Hunter Salausa-Galletes from Waipahu, HI – Nike RBI World Series
Sofia Santana from Carolina, PR – Softball Elite Development Invitational
Katelen Pedroza from Bell Gardens, CA – All-Star Jennie Finch Classic