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Friday, September 16, 2011

Prelude to a save: A closer’s guide to choosing the right entrance song

Closers need these songs more than anyone. Pitching just one inning to end the game, they rely on elements of intimidation that workhorse starters can’t sustain over six or seven innings. Closers are performers in the full sense of the word, and their entrance music is nearly as much a part of their personas as a filthy slider or 97-mph fastball. Yet few understand what makes a good entrance song. They have much to learn. Most of which, incidentally, can be found in the following guide.

Dudefella Posted: September 16, 2011 at 03:05 PM | 48 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: braves, brewers, giants, mets, music, orioles, padres, phillies, rangers, red sox, twins, yankees

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1. Dag Nabbit at ExactlyAsOld.com Posted: September 16, 2011 at 04:38 PM (#3926964)

50 great potential closer songs

2. Swoboda is freedom Posted: September 16, 2011 at 04:52 PM (#3926976)

I never understood why Billy Wagner never came in to "Ride of the Valkyries". Would have been perfect.

3. Benji Gil Gamesh VII - The Opt-Out Awakens Posted: September 16, 2011 at 04:55 PM (#3926979)

In the category of sortof obvious #### rock potential closer songs, has anyone ever used Runnin' with the Devil?

A Tigers closer using Stranglehold could work too.

4. Gotham Dave Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:03 PM (#3926987)

Built to Spill's "Stop the Show". Not only is called "Stop the Show", but it has a 2:30 stretch that practically could've been made to be closer music. Start the track at 2:44, and you get a great build up to a door opening at 3:14, and then a great variety of badass tones for warming up until 4:50, when it goes into a kind of dreamy riff complete with the lyrics "After a while, you know their style, and that's enough to know they suck/And when you know they'll stop the show because they know you know". Maybe straddling the border between intimidating and just downright cocky but god damn. What a great closer song.

Link the appropriate starting spot.

Sure it's pretty obscure, but considering it's a Boise band maybe someone could get away with it in Seattle.

5. Matthew E Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:16 PM (#3927008)

Knowing my level of baseball talent as I do, I have decided that if I ever needed an entrance song or a coming-up-to-bat song, it would be The Band singing "I Shall Be Released".

6. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:26 PM (#3927020)

My coed softball team did this a couple years back. I walked to the plate to Prince of the Rodeo by Turbonegro. One of the girls on the team used One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston. It was quite an eclectic mix.

7. STIGGLES don't want to talk about cracker barrel Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:42 PM (#3927040)

Link the appropriate starting spot.

that seems like an absolutely awful intro.

my top 5:
"high-fiving mother-######\" by local H
"breathe" by prodigy
"on your way down" by stabbing westward
"come out and play" by offspring
"miseria cantare--the beginning" by AFI

8. The Long Arm of Rudy Law Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:46 PM (#3927045)

My career ended when they refused to play The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for me.

9. zempf Posted: September 16, 2011 at 05:47 PM (#3927047)

I believe Brad Lidge used to enter to Linkin Park's "No More Sorrow" which gets demerits for being Linkin Park, but has that closer song buildup opening.

10. Crispix reaches boiling point with lackluster play Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:04 PM (#3927072)

I prefer the discussions of what would be the worst entrance song. Someone's suggestion of "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" a few years ago is still my favorite. Second favorite is either this or "Pure Imagination" from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

11. Swoboda is freedom Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:07 PM (#3927076)

My career ended when they refused to play The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for me.

The judge who married my wife and I was Edmund Fitzgerald. 9 years later, we are still together. We have yet to go sailing on Lake Superior though.

12. Gamingboy Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:09 PM (#3927081)

I'd hire a movie composer to write and orchestrate my own epic entry music.

Failing that, I'd just appropriate some kick-ass movie music. Probably from Star Wars. Say what you want about the Prequels, but "Duel of the Fates" and "Battle of the Heroes" are awesome.

13. Crispix reaches boiling point with lackluster play Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:16 PM (#3927091)

For epic entry music you can't do better than 19th-century Czech military composer Julius Fu?ík's Opus 68: Entry of the Gladiators.

14. Traderdave

Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:18 PM (#3927094)

Knowing my level of baseball talent as I do, I have decided that if I ever needed an entrance song or a coming-up-to-bat song, it would be The Band singing "I Shall Be Released".

The organ opening to "Chest Fever" would be great.

15. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:27 PM (#3927102)

So we want something slow building, ominous, and with guitar pyrotechnics? I think any version of Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights" or "Calvary Cross" might work, especially a live version.

As for a batter's walk-up music, I don't think you could better the opening of Puffy AmiYumi's "Mole-Like".

16. scotto Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:36 PM (#3927118)

So we want something slow building, ominous, and with guitar pyrotechnics? I think any version of Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights" or "Calvary Cross" might work, especially a live version.

In the same vein, it'd be great if Monday Night Football dropped the Hank Jr. and went with another Richard and Linda Thompson song for the broadcast:

"There's crazy people running all over town
There's a silver band just marching up and down
And the big boys are all spoiling for a fight
I want to see the bright lights tonight"

and

"A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor
Is just the kind of mess I'm looking for.
I'm gonna dream 'till Monday comes in sight
I want to see the bright lights tonight"

Not bloody likely, of course.

17. mex4173 Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:39 PM (#3927123)

I had no idea Axford used The New Noise, that's fantastic.

18. OsunaSakata Posted: September 16, 2011 at 06:42 PM (#3927130)

The son of the guy the Edmund Fitzgerald ship was named after, also named Edmund Fitzgerald, was Bud's partner in bringing the Pilots to Milwaukee as the Brewers.

19. CFBF Is The Victim of Unfathomable Pinheadery Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:04 PM (#3927155)

Sadly, no closer has yet adopted my suggestion of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

20. Gotham Dave Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:09 PM (#3927160)

that seems like an absolutely awful intro.

Yeah, well that's just like, your opinion, man.

Metal and indie rock are practically mortal enemies so I guess it's kind of an inverted closer song. But #### it, I'd pick it.

21. Gotham Dave Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:14 PM (#3927163)

Not a closer song but I would lose my mind (in a good way) if Russell Martin chose the theme song from the TV show "Martin" for his at-bat music.

22. bigglou115 Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:21 PM (#3927171)

Nothing will ever get me as pumped as John Smoltz coming out to "Thunderstruck"

That said, his first ever bullpen entrance was memorable too, ABBA is a terribly underrated band.

23. DA Baracus Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:26 PM (#3927179)

Some of these guys don't pick their songs, so it's not their fault if they're bad or cliched.

24. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:26 PM (#3927180)

In the same vein, it'd be great if Monday Night Football dropped the Hank Jr. and went with another Richard and Linda Thompson song for the broadcast:

That's brilliant!

25. Crispix reaches boiling point with lackluster play Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:29 PM (#3927185)

Not a closer song but I would lose my mind (in a good way) if Russell Martin chose the theme song from the TV show "Martin" for his at-bat music.

Has anyone ever used a song with his own name in this way?

There are so many possibilities.
Alejandro De Aza
Dallas McPherson

John Buck
Eli Whiteside

Fernando Rodney marches to the mound on another starry night.

26. . . . . . . . . . . Posted: September 16, 2011 at 07:35 PM (#3927193)

Has anyone ever used a song with his own name in this way

John Franco came in to the melodious strains of "Johnny B. Goode".

As far as I am concerned, the best closer entry music is the Il Commendatore scene from Don Giovanni. #### this rock bullshit.

27. winnipegwhip Posted: September 16, 2011 at 08:02 PM (#3927211)

Search and Destroy by The Stooges would be my choice.

28. Moe Greene Posted: September 16, 2011 at 08:29 PM (#3927242)

The son of the guy the Edmund Fitzgerald ship was named after, also named Edmund Fitzgerald, was Bud's partner in bringing the Pilots to Milwaukee as the Brewers.
Actually, my understanding is that Edmund Fitzgerald was the name of the son of the guy who built the boat (i.e., the boat's builder named it after his son). I assume the father was Bud's partner. Which is very cool, as I did not know that.

A fact about the younger Edmund Fitzgerald: he was CEO of Nortel for a number of years. In addition, I took a course on globalization that he taught a few years ago.

...

Hmm, unless the father was also named Edmund. I'm confused.

29. fgill1 Posted: September 16, 2011 at 08:30 PM (#3927243)

I would use the first 40 seconds of March of the Fire Ants.

30. flournoy Posted: September 16, 2011 at 08:46 PM (#3927259)

Ghostbusters Theme Song

31. Rowland Office Supplies Posted: September 16, 2011 at 09:04 PM (#3927268)

"Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. I mean...come on.

32. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: September 16, 2011 at 09:12 PM (#3927270)

Many years ago, someone on here suggested "Yellow Submarine" for Byung-Hyun Kim

33. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: September 16, 2011 at 09:16 PM (#3927273)

"We Takin' Over", DJ Khaled with T.I., Lil Wayne, Akon. That #### would work.

I like the point the author makes about building a brand. Papelbon's "Shipping up to Boston" works, but only in Fenway. He couldn't use it if he pitched anywhere else. It's not really Papelbon's song, it's Papelbon's Red Sox song.

On the other hand, I think the "brand" thing cuts against his point about Rivera. While Rivera (or the Yankee Stadium sound people) did rip off Wagner and Houston, that song is much more associated now with Rivera than with Wagner. He appropriated it, and it's now his song.

34. mswift Posted: September 16, 2011 at 09:21 PM (#3927274)

Placebo with Song to say goodbye:

You are one of God's mistakes,
You crying, tragic waste of skin

Of course only if you're not really good at pitching.

35. Flynn Posted: September 16, 2011 at 10:06 PM (#3927297)

Chris has a nice list, I guess, but Tim Worrell used Iron Man, so his #1 song had already been used by a closer.

Nobody has used Ace of Spades yet, which I find really surprising. I guess the gambling bit and "win some, lose some/it's all the same to me" probably doesn't instill the right kind of message, but the music is money.

36. Gazizza, my Dilznoofuses! Posted: September 16, 2011 at 10:26 PM (#3927311)

Sadly, no closer has yet adopted my suggestion of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

I've always wanted someone to use "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story.

37. Repoz

Posted: September 16, 2011 at 10:41 PM (#3927324)

And why Craig Kimbrel doesn't use "Closer" by My Disco is repetitively/repetitively beyond me.

38. spike Posted: September 17, 2011 at 12:37 AM (#3927474)

Smoltz used to use The Imperial March from Star Wars, which I found quite badass.

39. The District Attorney Posted: September 17, 2011 at 01:58 AM (#3927591)

Many years ago, someone on here suggested "Yellow Submarine" for Byung-Hyun Kim

The Mets did this for Chad Bradford.

40. Everybody Loves Tyrus Raymond Posted: September 17, 2011 at 02:14 AM (#3927642)

Most joyful, and appropriately titled, closer song ever.

41. backupcatcher Posted: September 17, 2011 at 02:45 AM (#3927738)

The big build at the end of Weezer's "Say it Aint So" could work.

42. DCW3 Posted: September 17, 2011 at 03:49 AM (#3927797)

Has anyone ever used a song with his own name in this way?

Scott Rolen used to use Limp Bizkit's "Rollin'."

I always thought Mark Mulder should have used the theme from The X Files.

43. Shazbot Posted: September 17, 2011 at 03:27 PM (#3928030)

Dibs on "I Feel Pretty" has already been called by Cole Hamels.

44. Renegade (((JE)))

Posted: September 17, 2011 at 03:51 PM (#3928041)

Joel Hanrahan should enter PNC to this song. After all, he is a Pirate!

EDIT: House/trance music is ideal for any closer, although it may be murder for fans 70+.

45. RMc and the Respective Punishments Posted: September 17, 2011 at 07:47 PM (#3928145)

Get rid of the stupid songs, and bring back the golf carts.

Just sayin'.

46. booond Posted: September 17, 2011 at 08:24 PM (#3928182)

Could the hitter reply with "Won't get fooled again?"

47. Jose Canusee Posted: September 19, 2011 at 10:03 PM (#3930071)

No Brian Wilson/Beach Boys (Don't Worry Baby) jokes anymore? I think SF would love "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads, and it has a long slow intro made for walking from the bullpen. If Al Hrabosky had entrance music that might have been a good match.
In StL Rolen could have used Proud Mary ("Rollin' on the river")

48. Good cripple hitter Posted: September 19, 2011 at 10:22 PM (#3930086)

If Al Hrabosky had entrance music that might have been a good match.

I don't know, I think Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 worked well for Hrabosky.

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Prelude to a save: A closer’s guide to choosing the right entrance song

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