Fact Check: The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers did not punish Vanessa Hernández for her decision to sing the Spanish national anthem.

Fact Check: The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers did not punish Vanessa Hernández for her decision to sing the Spanish national anthem.

Published June 17, 2025
by TruthOrFake AI
VERDICT
True

# Fact Check: "The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers did not punish Vanessa Hernández for her decision to sing the Spanish national anthe...

Fact Check: "The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers did not punish Vanessa Hernández for her decision to sing the Spanish national anthem."

What We Know

On a recent night at Dodger Stadium, singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, performed a Spanish rendition of the U.S. national anthem, "El Pendón Estrellado." This version was commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. Nezza stated that she was informed by a Dodgers employee that the anthem should be sung in English, but she chose to sing in Spanish as a form of protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Los Angeles, which had sparked widespread protests (source-1).

Despite the team's initial directive, Nezza was not punished or banned from future performances at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers did not comment on the incident when asked by The Athletic, which reported that she would not face repercussions for her actions (source-8).

Analysis

The claim that the Dodgers did not punish Nezza for her decision to sing the anthem in Spanish is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Athletic specifically noted that Nezza would not face any disciplinary action, aligning with her own statements and the absence of any official comment from the Dodgers organization (source-1, source-8).

The sources reporting on this incident include established media outlets such as The New York Times, NBC Los Angeles, and The Washington Post, all of which are recognized for their journalistic integrity. The Athletic, in particular, is known for its specialized sports journalism, which adds credibility to its reporting on the Dodgers and this specific incident.

While there are no conflicting reports indicating that Nezza faced punishment, it is important to note that the Dodgers have historically maintained a standard practice of having the national anthem sung in English. This context adds complexity to the situation, as it reflects ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding immigration and representation in the U.S. (source-4, source-6).

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that "The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers did not punish Vanessa Hernández for her decision to sing the Spanish national anthem" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Nezza was not punished for her performance, and the Dodgers' lack of comment on the incident further supports this conclusion.

Sources

  1. Nezza says her Spanish rendition of U.S. anthem at Dodger Stadium was ...
  2. Dodger Stadium - Wikipedia
  3. Nezza, Dodgers anthem singer, says she sang in Spanish ...
  4. Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish at Dodgers game - NBC Los Angeles
  5. Dodger Stadium singer confirms she performed national anthem in Spanish ...
  6. Nezza Sang Spanish-Language National Anthem At Dodgers Game - The Cut
  7. Singer at Dodger Stadium sings national anthem in Spanish in protest ...
  8. Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish at Dodgers as ...

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