On top of the outrageous stories from his days playing baseball, we can kind of thank Lenny Dykstra for the walk-up song.
In 1994, as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Dykstra wanted some Hootie and the Blowfish to get him going before his first at bat. So Nails asked former Philadelphia publicity director John Brazer, who was in charge of playing music throughout Phillies’ games, to blast Hootie’s “Hold My Hand” before he stepped into the batter's box.
His second at bat? “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. Third? “Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom.”
Brazer had the opportunity to pick Dykstra’s fourth song, but he went 0-4 in that game anyway.
While the true inventor of the walk-up song is in dispute, there's no doubting that it is used as a tool for major leaguers to get pumped up while at the same time serving as a calling card that can earn you a few props. That is, if you choose the right song.
Walk-up songs have become one of those unimportant things in sports that tons of people seem to care about. And with Complex Music recently releasing its Best Songs of 2016 (So Far) list, we thought it was a good idea to scan the majors and find out which players’ taste level is up to our waist level. Here are the 26 players whose ear—and not necessarily their bat or arm—we respect.
DESIIGNER "PANDA"
The New York rapper’s hit came in at No. 3 on Complex Music's list and it’s been a popular choice amongst the players. “Panda” has been used by 10 different big leaguers over the course of the season. Sadly, Pablo Sandoval did not use it before the rotund Red Sox third baseman was lost for the season due to shoulder surgery.
Angels outfielder Mike Trout has been bumping the song for most the season (he’s also mixed in “All the Way Up”) as he continues to put up All-Star numbers, batting .323 with 17 HR and 53 RBI.
Kansas City center fielder Lorenzo Cain has found similar success bumping Desiigner. Cain struggled out of the gates, hitting just .230 with just two home runs and nine RBIs through his first 24 games. Then on May 2nd he started walking up to Desiigner and since then he’s been hitting a scorching .317.
Major leaguers also using "Panda" include: Robinson Cano, Hank Conger, Wily Peralta, Billy Hamilton, Derek Norris, Anthony Rizzo, Prince Fielder, and Erick Aybar.
FAT JOE, REMY MA, AND JAY Z F/ FRENCH MONTANA AND INFARED "ALL THE WAY UP (REMIX)"
Along with "Panda," this hit has also been used by at least 10 different major leaguers, three of them opting for the Spanish version.
The Yankees Dellin Betances is rolling with "All The Way Up," which is technically his walk-out music since he's coming from the bullpen on a nearly nightly basis. But we're still counting it. Betances is putting up stellar numbers again this season, forming the third leg of the Bronx Bombers' vaunted No Runs DMC bullpen beast that also features Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman.
In his first two seasons, both of which he was an All-Star, Betances walked out to the bump to Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz.” He changed it up this year, though, and has once again been one of the best relievers in baseball.
Major leaguers also using "All The Way Up" include: Trout, Cano, Justin Upton, Max Scherzer, David Ortiz, Russell Martin, Jean Segura, Domingo Santana, Starlin Castro, and Gregory Polanco.
RIHANNA "NEEDED ME"
Only two players have used “Needed Me” this year: Xander Bogaerts and Brandon Phillips. Bogaerts is lighting up the A.L. this season, emerging as one of the best shortstops in the game. He's batting .342 with 9 HR and 50 RBI for the Red Sox and also had a 26-game hitting streak earlier this year. Based on American League All-Star voting, Bogaerts will probably start in the All-Star Game.
Phillips, the Reds second baseman, has used over 15 different songs this year, but it doesn’t seem like any of them have been working—he’s batting .252 with 6 HR and 29 RBI. At least he's bringing the heat over the loudspeakers mixing in Kanye West's “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” and Chance The Rapper's “No Problem."
DRAKE F/ WIZKID AND KYLA "ONE DANCE"
Nick Castellanos is putting up career numbers this season, and he might have Drake and Wizkid to thank. The Tigers third baseman has stepped up to the plate to the Views hit all season long and he’s batting .301 with 14 HR and 42 RBI. He's never hit more than 15 dingers before.
Martin, the Blue Jays catcher, has shown some love to his fellow Canadian, but he’s struggling big time with “One Dance” as his walk up song. He made the change from James Brown’s “The Boss” to Drizzy on May 16 after starting the year batting .168 and he's seen some improvement at the plate. While Martin's now batting .218, he still sits well below his .255 career average.
Major leaguers also using "One Dance" include: Mallex Smith, Yasmani Grandal, and Zach Putnam
