Nestled in downtown Detroit, and equipped with a working Ferris wheel and massive water feature, Comerica Park serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers, the city’s Major League Baseball team. With 81 regular season games – and hopefully more, if fans have their way during the playoffs – there is ample chance to root, root, root for the home team. During this time, players often develop unique and intimate relationships with home supporters through the selection of their walk-up songs.
The tunes, which hype up the fans and motivate the player, are as diverse as the athletes walking up to the batter’s box. From hip-hop and rap to country and rock, plenty of genres get the chance to usher players out to their one-on-one battle with the opposing team’s pitcher.
Motown Moments
Known as Motown – featuring the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Contours, and many more – Detroit is a city that loves music. It’s no surprise then that Detroit Tigers players also love a good melody. In fact, they’re so passionate about it that certain players have a hard time just choosing one song. For example, six players currently have a rotation of two walk-up songs, two players rotate through a three-song mix, and one chooses from four different hits. That’s why, when examining the genres of the players’ favorite walk-up songs, there are more songs than players on the roster.
Victor Martinez, Detroit’s designated hitter, brings a four-song mix to the clubhouse. He also counts for the majority – or two-thirds – of Latin music used by Tigers players. More specifically, he plays El Gran Martín Elías twice and Oscar D’León and Héctor Lavoe once each. Local musical celebrity Eminem only makes two appearances on players’ walk-up playlists, with pitcher Justin Verlander playing “Till I Collapse” and pitcher Mark Lowe using “Lose Yourself.”
Although not a local artist, Canadian rapper and hip-hop artist, Drake is the most popular choice as a walk-up song. Center fielder Cameron Maybin, third baseman Nick Castellanos, and left fielders Tyler Collins and Justin Upton each walk up with a song by or featuring one of the most popular artists today. Thankfully, though, none of them use the same song. That could certainly lead to some awkward moments.
Hear Them Roar
While none of the players get hyped up with either Katy Perry or Britney Spears, they all have a roaring desire to win. With the help of a few favorite walk-up songs, the Detroit Tigers are ready to do their part in earning themselves and the home support a “W.”
No matter what songs are on your playlist, you can get ready to cheer on your team as Fanatics – where you’ll find the very best officially licensed MLB apparel and merchandise.
