Baseball has used music between batters and pitches to get the crowd into the game for many decades. Baseball walk up songs are a way for fans to get an insider look into what makes a player tick, their methods, and personality. Songs that are anywhere from humorous to downright intimidating, come from many genres and eras of music.
So while we wait for the games to return, here’s a look at some of the top walk-up songs and the players they motivate. Close your eyes, listen along, and wait for the return of that sweet, sweet crack of the bat that happens right before a stadium full of fans erupt in cheers.
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
The classic sound of Led Zeppelin has been used on many occasions with players over the years. The most popular of the wide array of songs is “Kashmir”, which has been used obviously by Scott Kazmir, as well as Huston Street and Chase Utley.
Enter Sandman – Metallica
What puts this song in the pantheon of greats, isn’t the vast number of players who chose it. No, it’s because it’s mostly associated with the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera. The opponents realized it was lights-out as soon as the song started.
Many people may have forgotten that another stellar closer, Billy Wagner, used “Enter Sandman” for his entrance from the pen.
God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash
Hitting the rock meets a bit of country genre with this Johnny Cash hit. God’s Gonna Cut You Down was the walkup song of a large number of players, including Lance Berkman, Drew Storen, Nathan Eovaldi, and Stephen Drew.
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
You knew it was coming at some point. Where would baseball walk up songs be without one of the most recognizable and popular rock songs in history. This classic Guns N’ Roses hit provides the perfect combination of up-tempo energy and harsh intimidation.
Notable players that used this song for fun and games are Randy Johnson, Carlos Beltran, Mark McGwire, and Kerry Wood.
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Switching to the smooth, golden oldie crooner sound of Frank Sinatra for that baseball savant.
His classic hit “Fly Me to the Moon” is used most prominently by Todd Frazier of the Mets. The song fits, as this slugger is well capable of sending balls into orbit.
Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Need to speed it up? The Chili Peppers soundtrack is inexorably linked to a huge list of players. And why not?
The song has just about everything one can want from a walk-up song. It combines stellar musicality with an up-tempo beat to motivate the batter and fire up the crowd.
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
Finally, we take a masterful winding walk-up to the plate on Ozzy’s Crazy Train. This is another song that many players past and present have used.
Similar to how “Enter Sandman” is synonymous with Mariano Rivera striding to the mound, “Crazy Train” is Chipper Jones in the on deck circle.
So while the games are on hold. Close your eyes. Have a listen. And picture your favorite ball player strutting to plate. The music of our favorite baseball walk up songs can take you right into the game.
