Analysis: Top five walk up songs from the 2022 Mariners
Analysis: Top five walk up songs from the 2022 Mariners
Content can be a little stale this time of year, so I thought I would spice things up a little for you. Let's take a look back at some of the best walk out songs from your 2022 Seattle Mariners.
Last year I was lucky enough to be in the clubhouse during parts of the season while covering the team. One thing I quickly realized is how much this group loves music. Whether it was JP’s reggae vibes in the clubhouse or a country time machine the day before a Robbie Ray start, this team had a variety of music interests.
This showed up big time in their personalized choices of introduction music, which are considered “walk-up songs” for hitters and “walk-out songs” for pitchers. I decided to rank the top five from last season the best I could. Please enjoy this break from our regular content and let me know if I missed any that you liked!
5. Logan Gilbert: Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio
Logan Gilbert checks in at number five with this 1995 hit by Coolio. This California banger fits in our top five because it is an elite song choice, especially for a starting pitcher. When the song gets to play out longer it can crescendo into an awesome and intimidating introduction.
The 6-6 righthander has been known in the past to become his alter ego “Walter” when he steps on the mound. Gangsta’s Paradise helps Logan get to this alter ego, and it helps the fans get awfully excited for his performance. This was an excellent choice, we will see what Gilbert can come up with for the 2023 season.
4. Sam Haggerty: The Godfather Waltz by Nino Rota
Haggerty was a fan favorite last season, and his walk-up song was too. The Phoenix native chose this familiar tune from an all-time classic movie. Not a typical walk-up song, and Haggerty wasn’t the prototypical player.
This was a fun and creative one that many fans seemed to love, and it helped the 29-year-old to the best season of his career. Another reason for his song checking in near the top of our list is the wholesome reason that led him to choose the song.
Sam is said to have chosen the tune because it reminds him of his mom, a movie they would frequently watch together in his childhood. I may be biased with my Italian heritage, but Haggerty’s walk-up choice was fun and endearing, giving him the fourth spot on the list.
3. Andrés Muñoz: Pepas (Tiësto Remix) by Farruko & Tiësto
Not since Edwin Diaz’s trumpets has Seattle had a feared closer with an elite walk-out song, but that changed last season. Andrés Muñoz set Seattle on fire with his performance last season, rifling fastballs in the triple digits routinely.
Pepas was a staple of his season, and the Mariners ballpark team definitely gave him an assist on the introduction. With the “Los Bomberos” introduction and the flashing lights, this was an elite walk-up song for a hard-throwing reliever.
It was a party in T-Mobile Park when this song came on because the Mariners were usually going to win. This is my biggest candidate to be repeated, I think this song could become the entrance song for his entire career.
2. Matt Brash: Fireman by Lil Wayne
When Lil Wayne became the choice for Matt Brash I was immediately ecstatic. Not only is the five-time Grammy award winner a personal favorite of mine, but this tune is also an all-time favorite.
This song starts with a loud firefighter-style alarm, perfect for a reliever coming out of the bullpen to put out a fire. The 2022 Mariner bullpen was also nicknamed “Los Bomberos” which translates to Fire Fighter in Spanish.
I loved this choice as it fits the bullpen as a whole but also became of the atmosphere in T-Mobile Park as it played. The Mariners ballpark effects team knocked this out of the park, with flashing lights and flames appearing on the wraparound video boards that trim the second deck.
This is an elite walk-out song, and I hope Brash decides to bring it back next season.
1. J.P. Crawford: Miss The Rage (Rock Version) by Juice WRLD
The most elite walk-up song in major league baseball was held by Crawford, which comes as no surprise. Even those who are not a fan of hip-hop music could appreciate the electric guitar intro, followed by this groovy beat.
A few Mariners referred to this song as “the anthem” and you can certainly see why. Kudos to Crawford who went against the status quo by choosing a song few had heard before, and he knocked it out of the park.
J.P. is one of the leaders of this team, and they consistently seem to trust his musical judgment in the locker room. The shortstop ditched this tune near the end of the season, but we can hope he will bring it back next season. He has often chosen to utilize a reggae tune, but Miss The Rage will be hard to top.