Since 1992, Camden Yards has been the home of the Baltimore Orioles. While they haven’t yet managed to make a trip to the World Series in their new home, fans are optimistic this season will be different. Currently, just out of first place (behind the Toronto Blue Jays) and leading the Wild Card race, these O’s have a chance to please fans and themselves with an amazing post-season run.
Walk-up songs, selected by the players, are helping them to get in the zone and prepare for such a challenge. We looked at just what genres of music these players are using to hype up the home fans – and potentially intimidate the other team’s pitcher – when they walk up to the plate.
Press Play, Play Ball
Indecisive might be the proper way to refer to the Orioles players – nine of them selected two or more songs as their walk-up music. Out of those nine, three chose three different tracks to use as they strut out for their at-bats. Designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, third baseman Manny Machado, and center fielder Adam Jones are those three. Given the volume of songs they’ve selected (nine), they’re also the reason why hip-hop and rap lead the way.
Jones comes out to either Meek Mill’s “Bout That Life,” 2Pac’s “California Love,” or Young Jeezy’s “Lose My Mind.” Machado represents the 305 (Miami, Fla.) by exclusively using artists who hail from that area: DJ Khaled (“Born and Raised”), Pitbull (“El Taxi”), and Trick Daddy (“Where You From”). Alvarez goes with a sampling of the NYC rap game, walking out to either Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn Go Hard,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” or Pharoahe Monch’s “Simon Says.” T.I., Fabolous, Rich Homie Quan, and The Game are just a few more rap and hip-hop artists that fans in Baltimore hear when their team walks up to the plate.
Unlike some of the other teams we’ve examined, no player for the Orioles walks out to Drake. In fact, the only duplicate artist is AC/DC. Pitchers Brad Brach and Zach Britton may play America’s favorite pastime, but they love walking out to one of Australia’s best exports. You’ll know it’s Britton when you hear “For Those About to Rock” and Brach when the first note of “Thunderstruck” echoes throughout the ballpark.
X’s and the O(rioel)s
While there are many different genres of music ushering batters to home plate at Camden Yards, these Birds can agree on one thing: winning – not walk-up songs – is the most important thing. Electric, country, ska, or rock couldn’t matter less if the team ends up in a losing streak or doesn’t make it to the post-season. However, if the right tunes contribute to strong on-base performance, then by all means, the songs should be cranked up to 11!
You can rally toward victory and keep a beat like your favorite MLB superstars by getting officially licensed apparel and merchandise at Fanatics.com.
