Billy Joel to Sing National Anthem at Mets' World Series Home Game

Billy Joel, a New York-native born in the Bronx, will sing the National Anthem to kickoff Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night — and, of course, rooting for the Mets.

According to USA Today, "Joel has a long history with the Mets. He sang the national anthem before Game 1 of the 2000 World Series between the Yankees and the Mets, and in 2008 he performed the last concert ever at Shea Stadium."

"The Mets have also taken to playing 'Piano Man' this season in the 8th inning, so it only makes sense for them to call in Joel for Game 3," it added.

While Joel has been seen out and about in the jerseys and gear of both home teams — The Yankees and The Mets — he's also known to cover Ruth Roberts' 1961 jingle "Meet the Mets," which includes the line, "Guaranteed to have the time of your life because the Mets are really sockin' the ball, knocking those home runs over the wall!"

Sports Illustrated noted that while Joel is a natural and altogether excellent choice for the job (he has that "New York State of Mind"), he may be bad luck for the team. The Mets lost each of the two games Joel sang at.

"The Mets don’t even have to be playing in the same stadium as Joel for him to put the Star Spangled hex on them," wrote the magazine. "Back in 2008, he played two shows at Shea Stadium, the last concerts in the ballpark before it was demolished. The final show was on July 18. He opened the night with the anthem. The Mets were playing in Cincinnati. They lost."

SI also noted that when Joel's daughter, Alexa, sang the National Anthem at the Islanders game earlier this month, they also lost.

The Kansas City Royals are up two games to none in this year's Fall Classic.

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