Country music icon Brad Paisley has etched his name into baseball history, not with a bat or glove, but by inadvertently becoming the soundtrack to the sport’s longest World Series games, leading him to playfully declare himself “Mr. More Baseball.”
Known globally for his chart-topping country hits and numerous platinum records, Brad Paisley recently added an entirely different kind of entry to his resume: a unique place in World Series history. On Monday, October 27, 2025, the country superstar performed the national anthem before a pivotal Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. What followed was a marathon 18-inning contest, ultimately won 6-5 by the Dodgers on a Freddie Freeman homer, nearly seven hours after Paisley’s performance.
This epic matchup not only tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played, but it also highlighted an uncanny trend for the West Virginia native. As it turns out, this wasn’t Paisley’s first rodeo at a record-tying extended game. He had previously sung the anthem before the *other* record-tying longest World Series game seven years and one day prior, also a Game 3 where the Dodgers outlasted the Boston Red Sox.
The Unofficial Harbinger of Extra Innings
In an interview with The Associated Press, Paisley playfully declared himself “Mr. More Baseball,” a fitting nickname given his track record. Beyond the two 18-inning classics, he has also performed the anthem before an 11-inning Game 2 at the 2017 World Series and a 10-inning Game 1 in Los Angeles just last year.
This peculiar pattern has made Paisley a footnote in baseball statistics, a role he embraces. “It’s a great feeling, actually, to have been a footnote in something,” he shared. He even jested about informing Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench that he’s got one on him in the record books. His appearances seem to signal an extended contest, leading him to joke about being available for football games if teams want “another quarter or two.”
The latest 18-inning game, which saw the Dodgers triumph, underscored this phenomenon. “Around the 16th inning, I was going ‘there’s no way this is happening again.’ And here we go,” Paisley recounted, admitting he didn’t expect the game to go past nine innings. While he doesn’t consider it a “curse,” he acknowledges it as a unique “trend” that adds to the charm of baseball’s unpredictable nature.
A Country Star’s Path to Dodgers Superfan Status
Fans often wonder how a country superstar from West Virginia became such an ardent fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Paisley explained his deep connection in the interview:
- West Coast Ties: Living part-time in Los Angeles, particularly in Santa Monica and the Palisades, since marrying an actress in 2003.
- Local Loyalty: The Dodgers became the local team in a major league city, unlike his Nashville base which only has a Triple-A team.
- Family Tradition: Taking his kids to games fostered a personal investment.
- Building Relationships: Becoming “really good friends” with players like Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner, manager Dave Roberts, and front office personnel like Andrew Friedman.
He describes his journey to superfandom as “a slow progress to where you’re addicted to something. And I got there pretty quick a while back.” His early baseball allegiance was split between the Pirates (his childhood team) and the Indians (his father’s favorite).
The Enduring Romance of Baseball
Paisley’s experience perfectly encapsulates the enduring appeal of baseball. The sport’s ability to constantly surprise, to produce “weird fun facts” and moments “you’ve never seen before,” is what makes it so beloved. He referenced a line from Brad Pitt‘s character in the film Moneyball, echoing a sentiment many fans share: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
His unique role in World Series history, having performed at the only two 18-inning games and two of the four Dodgers walk-off World Series games in history, firmly plants him in that romantic narrative. Whether it’s a curse or a trend, Brad Paisley has certainly added a distinctive and entertaining chapter to America’s pastime, earning his new moniker: Mr. More Baseball.
