Country music superstar Brad Paisley has become an unexpected fixture of World Series lore, with a remarkable coincidence accompanying each of his four national anthem performances: every single game has extended into extra innings. This peculiar tradition, spanning from 2017 to 2025, has left fans wondering if the beloved Dodgers fan holds a secret charm for marathon matchups.
When Brad Paisley steps onto the field to perform the national anthem at the World Series, fans and players alike might brace themselves for a long night. The acclaimed country singer has now sung before four Fall Classic games, and in an astonishing streak, every single one has required extra innings to determine a winner. This quirky tradition has cemented Paisley’s place in MLB folklore, earning him the unofficial title of the ‘Extra-Innings Charmer.’
A Tradition of Endurance: Paisley’s Four World Series Marathons
The latest installment of the Paisley Effect occurred on Monday, October 27, 2025, during World Series Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. As the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Toronto Blue Jays, Paisley delivered a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” True to form, the game stretched into a grueling 18 innings, eventually ending with a 6-5 Dodgers victory courtesy of a Freddie Freeman walk-off home run.
This marked Paisley’s fourth time singing the anthem at the World Series, and his fourth time presiding over an unexpectedly long game. The previous instances include:
- 2017 World Series Game 2: A marathon 11-inning contest between the Dodgers and the Houston Astros. The Astros ultimately won this game on their way to a seven-game series victory, as reported by People.
- 2018 World Series Game 3: An epic 18-inning battle where the Dodgers defeated the Boston Red Sox, secured by a Max Muncy walk-off homer. This game set a record for the longest World Series game by time, lasting an astonishing seven hours and 20 minutes.
- 2024 World Series Game 1: A 10-inning affair featuring the Dodgers and the New York Yankees. Freddie Freeman again played the hero, hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history to give the Dodgers the win, according to MLB.com.
- 2025 World Series Game 3: The aforementioned 18-inning saga against the Toronto Blue Jays, again ending in a Dodgers walk-off win.
The Longest Games in Fall Classic History
Remarkably, Brad Paisley has performed before both of the longest games in World Series history – the two 18-inning marathons. The 2018 and 2025 Game 3s share the distinction of being the longest by innings played. While the 2018 game against the Red Sox holds the record for actual time duration (seven hours, 20 minutes), the 2025 game against the Blue Jays was also a test of endurance, clocking in at six hours and 39 minutes.
For Dodgers fans, the presence of Paisley has largely been a good omen, despite the extended playing time. Out of the four games he has performed at, the Dodgers have emerged victorious in three, making his appearance a somewhat favorable, albeit lengthy, charm.
Fan Theories and Family Fun
The uncanny pattern has not gone unnoticed by fans, who have speculated about Paisley’s unique influence on the games. While Paisley himself has not directly addressed the “curse” or “charm,” his wife, actress Kimberly Williams Paisley, playfully acknowledged it. After the 2025 18-inning game, she commented on her husband’s Instagram video post from the performance, asking, “Is it your fault it went 18 innings again? Nice of the @dodgers to win for your birthday! ❤ ️ 🎉”.
The couple had other celebrations recently, including Kimberly’s 54th birthday on September 14, which coincided with the joyful announcement of a new donkey joining their farm. Brad humorously posted about the two events on Instagram, joking about combining the announcements. Their romance, which began in 2001 when Paisley asked Williams to star in one of his music videos, continues to be a fan favorite.
The Statistical Anomaly: More Than Just a Coincidence?
The probability of four consecutive World Series games, preceded by the same national anthem performer, all extending into extra innings is statistically remarkable. While baseball is known for its unpredictable nature, this consistent pattern defies simple coincidence. It has led to widespread discussion within the baseball community and among Paisley’s fanbase, pondering the inexplicable connection between his pre-game performance and the ensuing extended play.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Paisley’s “Curse”
Given the exhausting length of the 2025 Game 3, which ended just hours before the scheduled first pitch for Game 4, Brad Paisley was not slated to perform for the subsequent game. This decision was likely welcomed by both teams, who faced the challenge of finding enough rested pitchers to navigate a standard nine-inning contest, let alone another potential marathon. However, Paisley’s unique legacy at the World Series endures, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next appearance and the inevitable question: will it go to extra innings?
