From Taylor Swift to Billy Joel: These are some of the greatest World Series game 3 national anthem performances

We’ve seen some memorable performances of the Star Spangled Banner during the World Series over the years - and a few less memorable ones.

Leslie Odom Jr., Jordin Sparks, Chloe Bailey and Zac Brown have sung the US national anthem ahead of Game 3 in the most recent editions, and some big names have taken to the stage by the catcher’s box to deliver their performances, either accompanied or a cappella.

Some performances stood out more than others. So let’s take a look at three of the best from the last 20 years or so.

2005: Michael McDonald

Motown recording artist Michael McDonald is loved the world over for his smooth, soulful signing style. McDonald is known and revered for providing vocals for Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers as well as his big solo hits: “I Keep Forgettin’” “Sweet Freedom” and “Yah Mo B There“ (with James Ingram).

We don’t know if Michael Mac is a big baseball fan or not. He was born in St Louis, so the Cardinals could be his team but he’s also lived in California and Nashville, so who knows, he might have fondness for the Dodgers, Padres or the Smokies...

McDonald brought a little of his trademark blue-eyed soul to Game 3 of the 2005 World Series between Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros. And as always, put in an unforgettable performance.

2008: Taylor Swift

Fast forward three years at the 2008 Fall Classic between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, we heard from the Backstreet Boys ahead of Game 1, Los Lonely Boys ahead of Game 2 and a teenage Taylor Swift, just weeks away from the the release of her second album Fearless.

Introduced as “one of the hottest young artists in music today”, Taylor, wearing a navy blue World Series sweater, accompanied herself, playing a glittery acoustic guitar. Her spine-tingling rendition is up there with the very best we’ve heard.

2015: Billy Joel

New York’s very own piano man Billy Joel performed before the 2015 matchup between the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals.

This was the Mets fifth World Series appearance and the Yankees’ 40th. It must have been an emotional night for Joel, who grew up a Dodgers and Yankees fan but lately seems to lean more towards the Mets.

Joel has made several appearances in the World Series, having performed in at Shea Stadium before Game 2 in 1986 (New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox) and in 2000, ahead of Game 1 between the Mets and the Yankees.

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