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Queen Of Soul Helps Usher In Tigers Win

Aretha Franklin National Anthem Detroit Tigers ALCS 10-11-11 by eric toth on YouTube

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Tigers may have been hoping Detroit's "Queen of Soul" would be just the good luck charm they needed Tuesday night, and she was!

Aretha Franklin sang the national anthem at the start of Tuesday night's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with the Texas Rangers.

Franklin, sporting a Tigers hat, was greeted by cheers from the Comerica Park crowd when she walked onto the field.

Many in the stands had goose bumps by the time her deliberate rendition was done under a full moon on a crisp and clear night with a huge U.S. flag covering much of the outfield.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he could tell Texas manager Ron Washington enjoyed Franklin's performance.

"I was worried. I was standing close to home plate tonight when Aretha Franklin was singing the national anthem. He was moving around. I got nervous because she pumped him up a bit," Leyland said.

The 69-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer underwent surgery last year for an undisclosed ailment. She has attributed losing more than 80 pounds to a change in diet and exercise.

The Tigers showed the Rangers no respect beating Texas 5-3 and looking to even up the series in Game 4 on Wednesday which can be heard on 97.1 The Ticket.

Winner of this series goes to the World Series!

See more pictures from Comerica Game 3 -

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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