Just as Ice Cube was for the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two, New York Yankees fans hoped Fat Joe would serve as a good luck charm for the team heading into game three of the 2024 World Series on Monday (October 28).

Joey Crack took the field in a pair of signature brown Timberland boots to warm up the 40,000-plus fans at Yankee Stadium. Wearing a Yankees letterman jacket and a matching NYY x Terror Squad cap, the Bronx native adapted some of the lyrics to his hits, fitting in with the baseball theme and reputation of his hometown team. Joe kicked off the set with his “Lean Back” anthem before moving into Ja Rule’s “New York” and closing with “All the Way Up.”

While performing, Fat Joe made his way to the pitcher’s mound – which must have given the grounds crew members a collective heart attack – where he mentioned some Yankee legends after Derek Jeter threw out the honorary first pitch to get the fans ready to roar for game three. .

“Even when Fat Joe came out, the fans’ body language was, ‘Damn!’ I thought, ‘What’s going on here?’ Are we at a funeral yet? MLB Fox Sports analyst and former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz said.

Many fans seemed to be stunned by the performance as many remained seated. Others roasted Joe and the Yankees on social media. “Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” one person tweeted.

Another chimed in: “I’m not a hater BUT Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. I think they got it on SALE for 50% OFF.

Even diehard Yankees fan Desus Nice was displeased, tweeting, “Good morning to everyone but fat Joe and his trump sneakers!”

Some wondered why they couldn’t get fellow New York rappers like Jay-Z or 50 Cent to quit. Hov previously performed “Empire State of Mind” at Yankee Stadium prior to game two of the 2009 World Series, the last time NYY appeared in the Fall Classic.

But it wasn’t all bad news for the rapper. Some fans chimed in to show their support on social media. “As far as I’m concerned we won regardless of the outcome @fatjoe,” a fan wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the artist on the field.

“BIG Bronx showed up!” another added a photo of Big Joe’s performance, with a “100” and fist bump emojis.

Unfortunately, Joe’s performance could not help the Yankees to a victory, as the team now faces an 0-3 deficit against the Dodgers. The Yankees’ bats remained largely quiet on the night, with Monday night coming in a 4-2 loss.

Fat Joe and the NYY will try to prevent a sweep by the Dodgers on Tuesday night (October 29) in game four. There are no performances scheduled prior to the match.

Watch Fat Joe’s performance below.