Tim McGraw just hit a viral home run — with a little help from Mr. Worldwide.
At the pregame concert for the MLB Speedway Classic on Saturday (Aug. 2), the country superstar surprised fans by bringing out Pitbull for a wild, genre-smashing duet of “I Like It, I Love It.”
It all went down at Bristol Motor Speedway, where baseball was already feeling a little chaotic (this was, after all, a Major League Baseball game inside a NASCAR track).
But then McGraw and Pitbull launched into the 1995 country hit — and the vibe swerved into unexpected territory.
Fans Were… Confused, Delighted, and Confused Again
Seeing Pitbull speed-sing a few bars of “I Like It, I Love It” while McGraw swayed along? Let’s just say X (formerly Twitter) lit up faster than a fastball.
Watch the Moment Here:
Scroll down to see the best social media reactions, ranging from puzzled to even more confused with this chaotic combo.
Oh, and About Those Jeans…
Yes, McGraw’s famously snug jeans made a cameo, and social media definitely noticed.
Read More: Red, White and Blue (Jeans): See Country Stars in Their Best Denim
On MLB’s Instagram post of the performance, one fan wondered aloud if the “Live Like You Were Dying” singer’s pants “could… be any tighter,” before adding the instant classic: “When did Wranglers become Stranglers????”
You can always count on country fans to say what everyone’s thinking.
Why Tim + Pitbull Actually Makes Sense (Kinda)
This isn’t their first time teaming up: Pitbull sampled McGraw’s classic hit in his 2024 track “Get Get Get Down,” which also featured McGraw on the hook.
And McGraw performing at an MLB event? That tracks — his father, Tug McGraw, spent 19 seasons in the major leagues with the Phillies and Mets.
A Big Moment for MLB, and McGraw’s New Look
Saturday’s game — which saw the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4–2 — was the league’s first at the speedway.
McGraw’s performance also marked one of his first public appearances since debuting a shaved head last week.
Tim McGraw with his head shaved
According to Team McGraw, he was just ready for a summer change.
Read More: Remember the Powerful No. 1 Hit That Reinvented Tim McGraw’s Career?
He was spotted heading into a Nashville recording studio this week, looking fully recovered from recent surgeries and ready to hit the next note.
As for Pitbull?
Still Mr. Worldwide. Now maybe also Mr. MLB.
Top 50 Tim McGraw Songs, Ranked
Whether it’s party music or songs that stop you in your tracks, Tim McGraw’s catalog has songs for every mood and emotion. Though the Louisiana native launched in 1990 with his self-titled debut record, it wasn’t until the release of his sophomore project four years later that McGraw got the adoration of both country professionals and fans alike. These are the 50 best Tim McGraw songs, ranked.
Gallery Credit: Jeremy Chua
