Country music icon Brad Paisley has inadvertently cemented his place in World Series lore, having performed the National Anthem before all four of the recent Fall Classic games that have stretched into extra innings. This extraordinary streak includes both of the longest games in World Series history, turning Paisley into a fan-favorite, if unexpected, omen for marathon baseball.
In the annals of baseball superstitions, a new, harmonious legend has emerged: the Brad Paisley extra-inning phenomenon. The country music superstar and devoted Los Angeles Dodgers fan has now taken the mound (so to speak) for the National Anthem at four separate World Series games, and each time, the contest has refused to end in regulation. This includes the two longest games in the history of the Fall Classic, both stretching to a grueling 18 innings, an uncanny coincidence that has delighted fans and even amused Paisley himself.
The Streak Continues: Four Games, Four Extra Innings
The most recent chapter in this remarkable saga unfolded during World Series Game 3 in 2025, when Paisley performed the anthem before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium. What followed was a six-hour, 18-inning epic, ultimately decided by a walk-off home run from Freddie Freeman, securing a 6-5 victory for the Dodgers. This marathon tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played, a record also set with Paisley’s musical introduction. According to reporting by MLB.com, Paisley’s unique streak now includes:
- 2017 World Series Game 2: 11 innings (Astros won)
- 2018 World Series Game 3: 18 innings (Dodgers won, Max Muncy walk-off)
- 2024 World Series Game 1: 10 innings (Dodgers won, Freddie Freeman walk-off grand slam)
- 2025 World Series Game 3: 18 innings (Dodgers won, Freddie Freeman walk-off)
While one of these contests saw the Dodgers lose, the team boasts an impressive 3-1 record in games preceded by Paisley’s anthem, making his presence seem more of a blessing than a curse for the home team. This unusual pattern has led to widespread discussion among baseball enthusiasts, turning Paisley into a focal point of postseason lore.
Paisley’s Humorous Take on ‘Major Cosmic Ramifications’
When asked about this peculiar trend, Brad Paisley embraces the role with self-deprecating humor. He jokingly told Variety, “I would like to be called Mr. More Baseball. If you’d like more baseball, I’m your guy.” He admits that he initially brushed off suggestions of another marathon game, stating, “It’s statistically impossible. I don’t understand. I was like, I just want to get the words right. I had no idea that there would be major cosmic ramifications.”
The timing of the 2025 Game 3 victory held additional significance for Paisley. It concluded in the early hours of October 29th, marking the very beginning of his birthday on the East Coast. He even quipped about the possibility of the Dodgers securing two wins on his birthday if they won the next game, a truly unique birthday wish.
A Deep Connection to the Dodgers and the Game
Paisley’s ties to the Los Angeles Dodgers run deeper than just a pre-game performance. His fandom blossomed after he and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, began living part-time in Santa Monica in 2003. As his children grew, attending baseball games became a “rite of passage,” leading him to fall in love with the team and forge friendships with key figures like manager Dave Roberts, general manager Andrew Friedman, and legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
He recalls an especially emotional performance for “opening day 2.0” in 2021, marking the return of fans after a year of pandemic restrictions. “I sang that day and that was really emotional — I mean, it just felt like the world was right when people were allowed to watch this game again in person,” Paisley shared. “That one was hard to get through; it felt like a cathartic thing.”
The 2025 Game 3 also featured a poignant moment involving Clayton Kershaw, who was nearing the end of his illustrious career. Manager Dave Roberts made a gutsy call, bringing Kershaw in for a single out with the bases loaded in extra innings, a high-stakes move that could have impacted the pitcher’s legacy. “Never in history, going in an extra inning, ever, and then goes in an extra inning with bases loaded and doesn’t give up,” Paisley recounted, marveling at the courage shown by both Kershaw and Roberts. This moment underscores Paisley’s deep appreciation for the drama and romance inherent in baseball, echoing the famous line from “Moneyball”: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
Beyond the Diamond: Paisley’s Other Pursuits
While his World Series streak has him in the spotlight, Paisley is also looking ahead to other projects, including his upcoming Christmas album, “Snow Globe Town.” The transition from the intense drama of extra-inning baseball to the festive cheer of holiday music might seem stark, but Paisley welcomes it, joking about turning on Hallmark movies in November to embrace the seasonal shift. For now, however, he remains a keenly invested observer of the Fall Classic, attending Game 4 from the stands and playfully noting, “Whatever happens tonight ain’t my fault.”
A Place in Baseball History
Brad Paisley’s role in the World Series has transcended a mere celebrity appearance; it has become a unique statistical anomaly that adds a fascinating footnote to baseball history. While he humbly attributes the extended games to chance, his consistent presence before these marathon contests has firmly established him as an intriguing figure in the Fall Classic. For fans seeking “more baseball,” Paisley’s anthem performances have become an unexpected signal to settle in for a long, thrilling night.
