Walk-up music can say a lot about a player. Are you just out here having fun? Do you take things too seriously? Have you been brainwashed by Drake? We took a look at the most interesting songs selected by the Reds for the 2015 season.
Joey Votto
“The Blacker The Berry” by Kendrick Lamar
Votto had walked up to “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones since midway through the 2011 season, but changed his tune to Jay Z’s “Lucifer” last July. Considering the injuries that cost Votto the second half of his 2014 season, perhaps “Lucifer” was a bad omen. Released in February, “The Blacker The Berry” is a fresh start for the first baseman. Although, a return to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the anthem of Votto’s 2010 NL MVP season, might not have been a bad idea.
Brandon Phillips
“Energy” by Drake
“Fire” by Ohio Players
“Lifestyle” by Rich Gang
“No Flex Zone” by Rae Sremmurd
“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea
Phillips is notorious for having an absurd amount of intro music. But hey, five is nothing compared to 2010 when the second baseman had 17 tracks on shuffle. “Lifestyle”, “No Flex Zone” and “Fancy” are all back from last season while “Energy” and “Fire” are new to the game. “Fire” is a veteran move, and one I can get behind. “Energy” may be most fitting for Phillips, who has made his share of enemies along the way.
Billy Hamilton
“Blessings” by Big Sean ft. Drake, Kanye West
“Watch Me” by Silento
“IDGT” by Kevin Gates
Hamilton steps to the batter’s box with “Blessings” cued to the 1:40 mark, which is exactly when Drake takes over. I’m on board with the song choice, but can’t understand this team’s obsession with Drake. How soon until the rapper is taking batting practice at GABP?
Mike Leake
“Intro” by The XX (Pitching)
“Old Thing Back” by Matoma & Notorious B.I.G. (Hitting)
With three years at notorious party school Arizona State under his belt, Leake is clearly the guy I want controlling the iPod at the company Christmas party.
Zack Cozart
“Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” by Robert Randolph
Unfortunately there is almost always something wrong with Cozart’s batting average.
Todd Frazier
“Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
Fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars. Frazier has been walking up to Frank Sinatra since his minor-league days, and the lyrics to “Fly Me to the Moon” seem fitting considering Frazier’s ascension to third in the Reds’ batting order, and all-star appearance in 2014. For a brief sequence during the 2013 season, Frazier included Alabama 3’s “Woke Up This Morning” among his selected tracks. Thankfully, it was fleeting.
Jay Bruce
“Used To” by Drake
So. Much. Drake.
Aroldis Chapman
“Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine
Every dominant closer of the modern era has had an exhilarating intro song. For Mariano Rivera, it was Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” For Trevor Hoffman, AC/DC’s “Hells Bells,” and for Eric Gagne, it was local favorite “Welcome to the Jungle.” Chapman has been walking into “Wake Up” since 2013, and though it may not be as intimidating as his fastball, it’s closer to the Metallica hit on a scale of “Enter Sandman” to Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera.” (Lookin’ at you, Jose Mesa.)
Devin Mesoraco
“Fishing in the Dark” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
For a guy that cuts his bats from trees in his own backyard, Mesoraco’s choice of “Fishin’ in the Dark” is one I can sign off on.
The Rest
Homer Bailey – “Fred Bear” by Ted Nugent
Brennan Boesch – “6 God” – Drake
Marlon Byrd – “Work” by Gang Starr, “Get Like Me” by David Banner
Johnny Cueto – “Siguelo” by Wisin y Yandel (Pitching), “Hello City Limits” by Breakin’ Strings
Chris Dominguez- “So Ambitious” by Jay Z
Jumbo Diaz – “Pa’Gozar” by Mozart La Para
Kevin Gregg – “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
J.J. Hoover – “Awake and Alive” by Skillet
Sean Marshall – “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin
Jason Marquis – “Run This Town” – Jay Z feat. Kanye West & Rihanna (Pitching)
Kris Negron – “Come Around” by Collie Buddz
Manny Parra – “Jump Around” by House of Pain
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Rob Ogden is a Nuxhall Way contributor and a reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. You can follow him on Twitter at @Rob_Ogden.
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