Country music icon Brad Paisley has found himself a new, unexpected title: “Mr. More Baseball.” This playful nickname stems from his unique, record-setting habit of performing the national anthem before some of the longest, most unforgettable World Series marathon games in history, cementing his place not just in music, but in the annals of baseball lore.
Country music superstar Brad Paisley is no stranger to making history with his platinum records and chart-topping hits. However, a recent performance at a landmark World Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays has earned him a new, rather unconventional historical footnote: the unofficial title of “Mr. More Baseball.”
On Monday, October 27, 2025, Paisley delivered the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series. What followed was an epic 18-inning showdown, lasting nearly seven hours, which saw the Dodgers clinch a 6-5 victory thanks to Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer. This grueling matchup tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played, and remarkably, it wasn’t the first time Paisley had been present for such a historic duration.
A Unique Record: Anthem Singer for Baseball’s Longest Nights
The recent 18-inning thriller marked the second time Paisley had performed the anthem before a World Series game that tied the longest game record. Seven years and one day prior, he sang before another 18-inning Game 3, when the Dodgers outlasted the Boston Red Sox. His unique track record extends further, including anthem performances before an 11-inning Game 2 at the 2017 World Series and a 10-inning Game 1 in Los Angeles just last year.
In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press, Paisley playfully embraced his new unofficial title, “Mr. More Baseball,” reflecting on his deep passion for the sport and his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. This recurring phenomenon has transformed him from merely a performer to a curious footnote in baseball history, a fact he relishes.
From West Virginia Roots to Dodger Blue
How does a country superstar from West Virginia become such an ardent Dodgers superfan? Paisley’s journey to Dodger Stadium loyalty began with his family’s move to California. “Living out here part of the time, marrying an actress in — we got married in 2003 and had a little place in Santa Monica and then a place in the Palisades,” he explained, noting that the Dodgers became the local team for his family. While he grew up attending Pirates games and his father favored the Indians, the lack of a major league team in Nashville (aside from the Triple-A Sounds) made the transition to the Dodgers a natural fit.
His investment in the team deepened through personal connections. Paisley has forged genuine friendships with key figures in the Dodgers organization, including star players like Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner, manager Dave Roberts, and front office executive Andrew Friedman. These relationships transformed his fandom into a profound addiction, as he put it, saying, “It’s a slow progress to where you’re addicted to something. And I got there pretty quick a while back.”
A Footnote in the Record Books and a Call to Johnny Bench
Holding the distinction of singing the national anthem at the two longest games in World Series history is a point of pride for Paisley. He even playfully challenged Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, stating, “Hey, tell Bench I got one on him in the record books.” He views this unique status as a “great feeling,” a “footnote in something” that adds a fascinating layer to his storied career. He also highlighted that he’s sung the anthem at two of the four total Dodger walk-off games in franchise history, a statistic that underscores his presence during pivotal moments.
The unexpected repeat of an 18-inning game prompted disbelief even from Paisley himself. “Around the 16th inning, I was going ‘there’s no way this is happening again.’ And here we go,” he recounted. After the game ended, he sat in his seat, contemplating the meaning of it all. His unique effect on game length led him to quip, “I’m available for football games, too. If anybody wants, you know, another quarter or two out of their team.”
Curse, Trend, or the Romance of Baseball?
Despite his track record, Paisley confessed he didn’t expect the recent game to go into extra innings, anticipating a regulation nine-inning finish. While he joked about being “cursed,” he quickly dismissed the idea, preferring to see it as a fascinating “trend” or one of those “weird fun facts that baseball excels in.”
Baseball, in its essence, is a sport of endless possibilities and unexpected moments. As Paisley noted, “Just like last night, there’s always something that you’ve never seen before.” He cited the remarkable performance of Shohei Ohtani in that very game, getting on base nine times, as another example of baseball’s capacity for historical firsts, as reported by The Associated Press. Such moments, he believes, encapsulate the very sentiment expressed by Brad Pitt’s character in “Moneyball”: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
For Brad Paisley, his role as the anthem singer for multiple World Series marathon games isn’t a burden; it’s a badge of honor. It’s a testament to his genuine love for the game and the Dodgers, solidifying his new, self-proclaimed nickname: “Mr. More Baseball.” His unique connection to these historic games provides a fan-centric narrative, reminding us all of the unpredictable magic that makes baseball America’s pastime. For more on MLB, you can visit AP MLB.
