The Los Angeles Dodgers invited country music star Brad Paisley to sing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium before Game 3 of the World Series on Monday.
In addition to his musical talents, Paisley is a noted Dodgers fan who can be regularly seen in the Dodger Stadium crowd.
Paisley also helped facilitate the trade of Tyler Glasnow to L.A. by opening his home to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and providing a place to negotiate with the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal was eventually agreed to at Paisley’s Nashville home.
Paisley may enjoy the opportunity to sing and then take in a World Series game, but for the sake of everyone’s sanity, it might behoove him to enjoy from the comfort of his own home in the future.
That’s because a strange pattern of wild games has emerged when the country music star sings the national anthem during the World Series. That includes Game 2 in 2017, Game 3 in 2018, Game 1 in 2024 and Game 3 in 2025.
While it comes at a cost, the Dodgers more often than not have emerged from the aftermath as the victors.
Brad Paisley effect at Dodgers World Series games
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.
The long ball was a major theme of this game. The Astros and Dodgers combined for eight, a new World Series single-game record.
Six came in the ninth inning or later and five came in extra innings, which was another World Series record. Additionally, the five extra-inning homers were the most in a game in MLB history, postseason or otherwise.
2018 World Series: Game 3 (18 innings)
The original 18-inning World Series game, before it was joined by Monday’s matchup between the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, still holds the record as the longest game in terms of duration at seven hours and 20 minutes.
The Dodgers struck first with a solo homer from Joc Pederson in the third inning. The score remained that way until Boston Red Sox’s Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a home run off Jansen with two outs in the eighth inning to tie the game.
There was another lull in scoring until both teams traded one-run innings in the 13th. After four more scoreless innings, Max Muncy delivered a walk-off home run in the 18th to end the marathon contest after midnight.
2024 World Series: Game 1 (10 innings)
The most memorable ending to a World Series game in recent memory, the Dodgers entered the bottom of the 10th inning down a run. Gavin Lux and Tommy Edman reached base after the leadoff batter was retired. Nestor Cortés Jr. was brought in to face Shohei Ohtani, who popped out into foul territory.
With the Dodgers down to their final out, the Yankees intentionally walked Betts to load the bases for Freddie Freeman. On the first pitch, Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam over the right field wall to propel the Dodgers to an eventual World Series championship.
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 inning, but there was plenty of drama to be had with plenty of traffic on the bases.
Both the Blue Jays and the Dodgers had moments they wished they could take back, but it was L.A. that eventually came out on top thanks to Freeman.
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