The Los Angeles Dodgers are working a balance as the start of a new goal with the 2026 season is temporarily playing second fiddle to celebrating last year’s World Series title.
Prior to their Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers raised the 2025 World Series champions banner and now on Friday night are poised to receive their rings. The ceremony is going to be narrated by Anthony Anderson and feature the USC Trojan marching band.
Country music star Brad Paisley is singing the national anthem, and if history is any indication, that could be an early sign for a wild night.
Brad Paisley’s history with Dodgers
Paisley, who helped facilitate the trade for Tyler Glasnow by opening his home to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and providing a place to negotiate with the Tampa Bay Rays, is a longtime Dodgers fan. He historically has been reserved to sing the national anthem in the World Series, and each time a memorable game followed.
Fans can potentially take solace in Paisley lending his vocal talent to a regular season game this time around. When it’s come to the postseason, specifically the World Series, Paisley singing the national anthem guarantees extra innings.
2017 World Series: Game 2 (11 innings)
This was the only game that didn’t go in the Dodgers’ favor, with former closer Kenley Jansen allowing the game-tying home run to Marwin Gonzalez of the Houston Astros.
2018 World Series: Game 3 (18 innings)
The Dodgers’ first 18-inning World Series game, before it was joined by the 2025 classic against the Toronto Blue Jays, still holds the MLB record for longest game time at seven hours and 20 minutes.
2024 World Series: Game 1 (10 innings)
With the Dodgers down to their final out, the Yankees intentionally walked Mookie Betts to load the bases for Freddie Freeman. Freeman sent the first pitch he saw into the pavilion for a walk-off grand slam.
2025 World Series: Game 3 (18 innings)
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series was a back-and-forth affair through the first nine innings. A mix of mistakes and incredible plays from both teams kept the game tight.
No runs were scored from the eighth inning on until Freeman’s walk-off homer in the 18th.
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