When country music star Brad Paisley performed the national anthem at Game 3 of the 2025 World Series, few fans realized they were witnessing the continuation of baseball’s most improbable statistical anomaly. As the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays stretched into the 18th inning, culminating in a Dodgers walk-off victory, statisticians confirmed what seemed mathematically impossible: Paisley had now sung the anthem before four World Series games, and every single one extended into extra innings.
The three-time Grammy winner’s unusual connection to marathon baseball games began in 2017, when his Game 2 performance preceded an 11-inning contest. This pattern continued in 2018 when Paisley sang before Game 3 between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, which became one of only two 18-inning World Series games in MLB history. His 2024 appearance at Game 1 resulted in a 10-inning affair, setting the stage for the remarkable 2025 repeat of another 18-inning battle. The historic game lasted nearly seven hours from first pitch to final out, testing the endurance of players and fans alike.
MLB commentators have embraced the peculiar coincidence, referring to the phenomenon as having “major cosmic ramifications,” a phrase Paisley himself jokingly acknowledged. Social media erupted after the 2025 game, with fans bestowing upon him the nickname “Mr. More Baseball” for his apparent ability to extend games beyond regulation play. The country star, a self-professed Dodgers fan, has embraced this unusual role in baseball lore. The significance of Game 3 became even more noteworthy as it resulted in a 2-1 series lead for the Dodgers.
The Paisley Paradox strikes again, sending baseball into extra innings whenever his voice graces the national anthem.
What makes this statistical oddity even more striking is the geographic consistency: both 18-inning contests occurred in Los Angeles and ended with Dodgers walk-off victories. Sports statisticians note that the probability of four consecutive anthem performances preceding extra-inning games is extraordinarily low, particularly considering that two of those games reached the rare 18-inning mark. Paisley’s team leveraged this unique baseball connection by creating engaging content across social platforms that highlighted his anthem performances while building his brand story around this statistical marvel. The country music star has also explored sync licensing opportunities with major sports networks looking to use his music during game broadcasts.
Fans now anticipate longer, more dramatic contests when Paisley is scheduled to perform, turning his appearances into remarkable trivia during World Series broadcasts. The unusual coincidence has added an element of superstition to his performances, creating a unique intersection between country music and America’s pastime.
