It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. the weather is warming up, the ice is gone and bass fishing season is upon us, and baseball is officially BACK.
On a personal note, I’ve been glued to the TV watching the Cubs so far this year, and despite the bullpen issues (get it together Alzolay), and the piss poor starting pitching of Kyle Hendricks, this team is a lock to win the division. Don’t wanna hear about the Pirates, they’ll fall off, they always do… the Brewers lost their ace and the coach (sorry, not sorry), the Reds? Meh. The Cardinals? Meh. It’s the Cubs division for the taking. I’m speaking it (as I open up my Draft Kings app) into existence.
Of course, there is no shortage of country music fans in the Majors, whether it’s on the mound or in the batter’s box, and the perfect walk-up song is key to starting things off the right way. Nothing gets you in the zone quite like your walk-up song, and all across the majors there are some KILLER tunes coming through the ballpark speakers.
A few guys use the same song, and songs always change throughout the season, but here’s my quick list of guys who are doing it right.
So without further ado, here’s the top 10 MLB walk-up songs for the 2024 season:
10. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive” by Travis Tritt
Solid choice, feel-good, get the toes tapping a little… Polar Bear Pete already has 6 bombs on the season so the Tritt is definitely working, but I want something a little meaner when I’m stepping up to the dish.
9. Bryce Miller, Seattle Mariners: “Bury My Bones” by Whiskey Myers
My Cubs just faced Bryce Miller this week, and the youngster completely shut them down. Now granted, “B*tch” has to be the go-to Whiskey Myers walk-up song, but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
8. Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels: “Welcome To The Show” by Cody Johnson
It’s a Cody Johnson bull riding tune released in conjunction with the Houston Rodeo in 2019, but they also call the Major Leagues “The Show,” so it just works.
7. Aaron Bummer, Atlanta Braves: “Nine Ball” by Zach Bryan
A song about playing pool? Yeah, it works too. There’s no doubt that Zach has a whole mess of songs that could work here, “Open The Gate” comes to mind for a reliever like Aaron Bummer, but I think you gotta give “Nine Ball” some bonus points for the Matthew McConaughey music video. What does that have to do with baseball? Nothing… and that’s alright, alright, alright with me.
6. Daniel Bard, Colorado Rockies: “Nothing Holds Me Down” by Ryan Bingham
ALWAYS a solid choice. Ryan Bingham, who many only know from Yellowstone (shake my head), might be one of the most underrated country singers of all time.
5. Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays: “Gin, Smoke, Lies” by Turnpike Troubadours
Can’t go wrong with Turnpike. There’s quite a handful of players in baseball using Turnpike tunes, including “Down Here” and “Time Of Day,” but “Gin, Smoke, Lies” has that beat you just can’t ignore.
4. Will Vest, Detroit Tigers: “Cue Country Roads” by Charles Wesley Godwin
We heard this one during the college football season, but I don’t care what you’re doing… it’s a certified pump-up song.
3. J.B. Bukauskas, Milwaukee Brewers: “Sleeping On The Blacktop” Colter Wall
That kick drum will put a little extra thump in your swing, or in JB’s case, a little extra giddy-up on the fastball.
2. Justin Steele, Chicago Cubs: “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash
The Cubs ace left early during the first start of the season, and has been on the shelf since, but make no mistake, Steele is coming back with a vengeance… and the Man in Black will be the soundtrack to that revenge tour. Justin Steele is gonna be mowing them down.
1. David Fry, Cleveland Guardians: “Loud And Heavy” Cody Jinks
There simply isn’t a better walk-up song… fight me.
