A walk through MLB and country music history.
It’s safe to say it’s been a hell of an MLB season. Though a lockout is looming in the distance, thanks to the players’ union battling with the owners over a salary cap, a salary floor and more, it’s been a season full of storylines in baseball. Beyond the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were primed to take home their third-straight World Series thanks to their enormous payroll and superstars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and more, losing in shocking fashion to the Milwaukee Brewers, baseball fans were also treated to some major comeback stories from the likes of the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves.
Throughout the postseason, we’ve seen some killer series. Beyond the aforementioned Dodgers’ upset at the hands of the Brewers, the White Sox captured their first postseason series win in 21 years after suffering three-straight 100-loss seasons with a win over the Houston Astros.
After the Cleveland Guardians would snuff out the White Sox’s Cinderella run thanks to a 2-0 series comeback, the Rays would keep rolling in the ALCS, taking the Guardians handily, 4-2.
With that being said, however, it seems like they’re going to be no match for the Brewers. Riding the highs of their Dodgers sweep, they’ve steamrolled the Rays so far in the World Series, blowing them out 10-1 last night en route to a 3-0 series lead.
Given that the Brewers are closing in on their first-ever World Series win tonight in Tampa Bay, I thought that now’s the best time to take a look back at what the #1 country songs were at the time each team won its last World Series.
Unfortunately for fans of the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays (barring an all-time comeback), all of whom are still searching for that elusive first World Series ring, none of these teams will be on the list. For the other 25 modern teams that have won a World Series over the past 80+ years, you’ll find your most recent championship win somewhere on the list. The Brewers are also closing on their first ever World Series win so for now, they’ll technically remain absent… stay tuned for an update.
Given that there are multiple country charts, such as Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Country Airplay and Mediabase, I’ve decided to pull from Billboard’s Hot Country Songs due to it being the primary chart used throughout the history of both country music and the modern baseball era.
Without further ado, here are the #1 country songs the last time each team won a World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers – 2025
Series Result: Los Angeles Dodgers (4) – Toronto Blue Jays (3)
#1 Country Song: “I Got Better” – Morgan Wallen
Texas Rangers – 2023
Series Result: Texas Rangers (4) – Arizona Diamondbacks (1)
#1 Country Song: “I Remember Everything” – Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves
Houston Astros – 2022
Series Result: Houston Astros (4) – Philadelphia Phillies (2)
#1 Country Song: “You Proof” – Morgan Wallen
Atlanta Braves – 2021
Series Result: Atlanta Braves (4) – Houston Astros (2)
#1 Country Song: “Fancy Like” – Walker Hayes
Washington Nationals – 2019
Series Result: Washington Nationals (4) – Houston Astros (3)
#1 Country Song: “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
Boston Red Sox – 2018
Series Result: Boston Red Sox (4) – Los Angeles Dodgers (1)
#1 Country Song: “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Chicago Cubs – 2016
Series Result: Chicago Cubs (4) – Cleveland Indians (3)
#1 Country Song: “Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney feat. P!nk
Kansas City Royals – 2015
Series Result: Kansas City Royals (4) – New York Mets (1)
#1 Country Song: “Strip It Down” – Luke Bryan
San Francisco Giants – 2o14
Series Result: San Francisco Giants (4) – Kansas City Royals (3)
#1 Country Song: “Burnin’ It Down” – Jason Aldean
St. Louis Cardinals – 2011
Series Result: St. Louis Cardinals (4) – Texas Rangers (3)
#1 Country Song: “Long Hot Summer” – Keith Urban
New York Yankees – 2009
Series Result: New York Yankees (4) – Philadelphia Phillies (2)
#1 Country Song: “Only You Can Love Me This Way” – Keith Urban
Philadelphia Phillies – 2008
Series Result: Philadelphia Phillies (4) – Tampa Bay Rays (1)
#1 Country Song: “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” – Kenny Chesney with The Wailers
Chicago White Sox – 2005
Series Result: Chicago White Sox (4) – Houston Astros (0)
#1 Country Song: “Better Life” – Keith Urban
Miami Marlins – 2003
Series Result: Florida Marlins (4) – New York Yankees (2)
#1 Country Song: “Tough Little Boys” – Gary Alan
Los Angeles Angels – 2002
Series Result: Anaheim Angels (4) – San Francisco Giants (3)
#1 Country Song: “Somebody Like You” – Keith Urban
Arizona Diamondbacks – 2001
Series Result: Arizona Diamondbacks (4) – New York Yankees (3)
#1 Country Song: “Where I Come From” – Alan Jackson
Toronto Blue Jays – 1993
Series Result: Toronto Blue Jays (4) – Philadelphia Phillies (2)
#1 Country Song: “Easy Come, Easy Go” – George Strait
Minnesota Twins – 1991
Series Result: Minnesota Twins (4) – Atlanta Braves (3)
#1 Country Song: “Anymore” – Travis Tritt
Cincinnati Reds – 1990
Series Result: Cincinnati Reds (4) – Oakland Athletics (0)
#1 Country Song: “Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks
Athletics – 1989
Series Result: Oakland Athletics (4) – San Francisco Giants (0)
#1 Country Song: “High Cotton” – Alabama
New York Mets – 1986
Series Result: New York Mets (4) – Boston Red Sox (3)
#1 Country Song: “Cry” – Crystal Gayle
Detroit Tigers – 1984
Series Result: Detroit Tigers (4) – San Diego Padres (1)
#1 Country Song: “Uncle Pen” – Ricky Skaggs
Baltimore Orioles – 1983
Series Result: Baltimore Orioles (4) – Philadelphia Phillies (1)
#1 Country Song: “Paradise Tonight” – Charly McClain & Mickey Gilley
Pittsburgh Pirates – 1979
Series Result: Pittsburgh Pirates (4) – Baltimore Orioles (3)
#1 Country Song: “Last Cheater’s Waltz” – T. G. Sheppard
Cleveland Guardians – 1948
Series Result: Cleveland Indians (4) – Boston Braves (2)
#1 Country Song: “Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way)” – Eddy Arnold*
*Taken from Billboard’s weekly “Best Selling Retail Folk Records” chart*