The World Series has often been just as memorable for what happens before the first pitch is thrown.
Baseball’s fall classic — which begins Friday, October 25 at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees — has seen some iconic performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” over the decades.
Brad Paisley will get a chance to make his mark on the national anthem this year when he performs at Game 1.
For the second consecutive year, 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Talent Performer Pearle Peterson, 19, will perform the song before Game 2 on Saturday, October 26.
After two games in Los Angeles, the series shifts to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for Games 3 and 4.
For a rundown of the best national anthem performances in World Series history, keep scrolling.
Jazmine Sullivan – Game 5, 2022
Dressed in a floor-length black leather jacket, two-time Grammy winner Jazmine Sullivan put a soulful spin on the song during her performance before Game 5 between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.
Demi Lovato – Game 4, 2015
Demi Lovato showed off her vocal chops with an acapella version of the song before Game 4 between the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets?
Who needs an orchestra with a voice like that?
Jose Feliciano – Game 5, 1968
Jose Feliciano gave one of the most unforgettable — and certainly one of the most unique — performances ahead of Game 5 between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals in 1968.
At the time, Feliciano’s rendition was cause for much debate. The New York Times called the distinctive take on the song “controversial,” while many baseball fans accused Feliciano of taking umbrage with the patriotic song.
Decades later, it sounds pretty spectacular to Us.
Kelly Clarkson – Game 5, 2010
Texas native Kelly Clarkson took to the field at Globe Life Park in Arlington before Game 5 of the 2010 World Series between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants.
Wearing a Rangers jersey to support her hometown team, Clarkson showed off her powerhouse vocals smack dab in the middle of the infield.
Billy Joel – Game 3, 2015
Empire State icon Billy Joel performed before Game 3 between the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals.
Joel’s appearance marked the last time either the Mets or Yankees appeared in the World Series before the Yankees earned their spot in 2024, their first time representing the American League since 2009.
Taylor Swift – Game 3, 2008
Less than 3 weeks before the release of her sophomore album Fearless, Pennsylvania native Taylor Swift performed the national anthem before Game 3 between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays.
Armed with a glittery guitar and with her curly, blonde locks on full display, Swift performed an acoustic version of the song that gave a peek into the phenomenon she was shortly about to become.
H.E.R. – Game 1, 2023
Despite being a California native, H.E.R. repped a Texas Rangers jersey for her performance before Game 1 of the 2023 World Series between the Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The impressive moment was a sneak preview of the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the singer also performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the Games’ handover to Los Angeles, which will host in 2028.
Mary J. Blige – Game 1, 2013
Introduced by the Fenway Park announcer as “the one and only,” Mary J. Blige more than lived up to that billing with her performance before Game 1 of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
Blige sang while holding her mic pack in her hand and even paused near the end to allow for a fighter jet flyover.
A total home run.
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