All things told: this World Series isn’t going to blow any TV ratings out of the water. It’s the Rays and Phillies. It ain’t looking good; nobody’s gonna watch. (Except for true baseball fans, of course!) Which is why the Rays wised up and knew they had to make a huge splash for Game 1. They went out and got the most popular, most talented and best dressed musical sensation group of all time. Oingo Boingo? Nope. The Carpenters? Try again. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band? You’re getting closer. Give up?

IT’S THE BACKSTREET BOYS!11111!!!!!!!!!

Move over, B.K. Jackson. The Backstreet Boys will sing the national anthem of game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night, according to team fan experience director Darcy Raymond. Throwing out the first pitch will be Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart. Stewart was a St. Petersburg City Council member back on July 24, 1986, who voted with five others to build the stadium even when the area didn’t have a team.

Only thing that could make this better: if Aaron Carter came out with them as they announced a new supergroup named “The Carter Brothers Featuring The Backstreet Boys Who Were Really Popular Ten Years Ago When Lou Pearlman Poached And Made Money Off Them, But Now Lou Is In Jail So Who Has The Last Laugh?”

Other things the Backstreet Boys are good for? Ben Gibbard covers.

{HT: Mr. Fornelli.}