Nation celebrity Brad Paisley made historical past Monday evening — and this time, it wasn’t for platinum data.
The singer carried out the nationwide anthem throughout a landmark World Sequence sport — an 18-inning matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers gained 6-5 on Freddie Freeman’s homer than ended Sport 3 practically seven hours after Paisley carried out.
That marathon tied the document for longest World Sequence sport, and Paisley carried out the anthem earlier than the earlier one, too. That was seven years and at some point prior, when the Dodgers outlasted the Boston Pink Sox, additionally in a Sport 3. He additionally carried out the anthem earlier than an 11-inning Sport 2 on the 2017 World Sequence and a 10-inning Sport 1 in LA final yr.
In an interview over Zoom with The Related Press on Tuesday, Paisley declared himself “Mr. More Baseball” and mentioned his adoration for the Dodgers. This interview has been edited for size and readability.
AP: How does a rustic celebrity from West Virginia change into a Dodgers superfan?
PAISLEY: Dwelling out right here a part of the time, marrying an actress in — we obtained married in 2003 and had slightly place in Santa Monica after which a spot within the Palisades, the primary place we ever purchased collectively was within the Palisades and it’s since burned down this yr … I’ve been invested out right here since then. And that was the membership that, you already know, that’s the native staff for one of many locations we stay. Like we don’t have something in Nashville besides the Sounds (a Triple-A staff), that are nice. That’s enjoyable, however that’s not main league. And so, yeah, I might take the youngsters to those video games. I obtained to know so many individuals there. … It was simply a simple transition into that. I grew up going to Pirates video games. My dad preferred the Indians.
To have had a staff to spend money on, after which change into actually good mates with Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner and these guys … they’re nice individuals. Dave Roberts has change into a superb buddy. A whole lot of the entrance workplace individuals, Andrew Friedman … we’ve had adventures collectively. … It is a sluggish progress to the place you’re hooked on one thing. And I obtained there fairly fast some time again.
AP: And now you maintain a document — having sung the nationwide anthem on the two longest video games in World Sequence historical past.
PAISLEY: I’ve a buddy who launched me to (Corridor of Fame catcher) Johnny Bench some time again, and I’ve gotten to know Johnny slightly bit. And I stated, “Hey, tell Bench I got one on him in the record books.” However it’s bizarre. It’s an important feeling, truly, to have been a footnote in one thing.
It is sort of cool to know that I sang the anthem at a pair, on the two of the 4 whole Dodger walk-off video games that ever occurred. The opposite two have been earlier than my time anyway. … And particularly the one which was 18 innings.
Then final evening round, the sixteenth inning, I used to be going “There’s no way this is happening again.” And right here we go. And it was actually neat. I sat there within the within the seat when it ended final evening, simply staring, like, “OK, what does this even mean?” After which I didn’t even understand ’til at this time when a few these statisticians began compiling stuff, I’ve by no means performed this and it didn’t go extras. So I stated at this time, I’m accessible for soccer video games, too. If anyone desires, you already know, one other quarter or two out of their staff.
AP: Given your observe document, did you count on final evening’s sport to go additional innings?
PAISLEY: No, I totally, I totally anticipated this to really be over in 9 for perhaps the primary time shortly, you already know.
I’m cursed. No, I do not suppose so. … It’s wild. It’s enjoyable. I feel it’s a very enjoyable factor.
AP: Not a curse, however a development.
PAISLEY: Yeah, let’s undoubtedly not name it a curse as a result of to me, it’s like, it’s undoubtedly, it’s a type of bizarre enjoyable info that baseball excels in. It’s so bizarre. Similar to final evening, there’s at all times one thing that you simply’ve by no means seen earlier than. Like (Shohei) Ohtani will get on base 9 occasions. That’s obtained to be the primary time in historical past that’s ever occurred.
It’s what Brad Pitt says in “Moneyball.” It’s like, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
AP: Completely.
PAISLEY: I needs to be “Mr. More Baseball.” There’s the brand new nickname.
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