While the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 2 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Centre, it was the Jonas Brothers‘ mid-game performance that ignited widespread debate among baseball fans. The popular music trio took to the field after the fifth inning to perform their song “I Can’t Lose” as part of a Stand Up To Cancer tribute, creating a moment that transcended the sport itself but left many traditionalists questioning the format.
The performance, which had been previously announced by Major League Baseball on Instagram, featured the brothers holding up signs honoring their father, Kevin Jonas Sr., a cancer survivor. Players, coaches, and thousands of fans throughout Rogers Centre joined in the tribute, raising their own signs displaying the names of loved ones affected by the disease, creating a powerful visual statement about cancer’s widespread impact.
In a moment of unity, thousands raised personalized tributes to cancer-affected loved ones alongside the Jonas Brothers’ heartfelt homage to their survivor father.
Social media platforms quickly filled with mixed reactions following the musical interlude. “Baseball doesn’t have halftime shows for a reason,” wrote one fan, while others questioned the decision to pause the competitive momentum of a World Series game for a performance. Joe Jonas directly addressed the criticism, referring to the backlash as an instance of “Why these guys?” sentiment from baseball purists. The tribute’s timing after the fifth inning particularly confused some spectators unfamiliar with entertainment breaks during baseball’s championship series.
This wasn’t the Jonas Brothers’ first baseball-related appearance in 2025, as the group had previously released a video during the MLB All-Star Game earlier in the season. However, their live World Series performance represented a more significant integration of entertainment into the sport’s pinnacle event.
Despite the criticism, many viewers appreciated the performance’s charitable component and the awareness raised for cancer research. The brothers leveraged the event as part of their broader strategy to connect with fans through consistent visual content that reinforces their brand story beyond music alone. The moment highlighted the delicate balance sports organizations must strike between tradition and contemporary entertainment while supporting meaningful causes. For the Jonas Brothers, this performance also showcased how musicians can leverage sync deals to reach massive audiences while supporting causes close to their hearts.
When play resumed, the Dodgers maintained their lead, ultimately winning Game 2 by four runs. However, conversations about the performance’s place within baseball’s championship format continued long after the final out was recorded.
