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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

SNY: Berg: Great as-yet-unused closer songs, Nos. 1-5

DeBerge is back with more…

3. 4’33” - John Cage: Cage’s piece, for the unfamiliar, consists of four minutes and thirty three seconds of no music at all—not to be confused with complete silence, since Cage intended his audience to focus on the concert hall’s ambient sound. It’s a groundbreaking work in avant-garde music, and one Cage called his most important. But that’s not why it’s listed here.

This would require a whole lot of fan participation. If everyone—every fan, every vender, every usher, every bathroom attendant—could remain silent while the pitcher walked in from the bullpen and threw his warm-ups, well, that’d be about as badass an entrance as I could imagine. Is it too much to ask? Hardly. We already keep mum for the Star-Spangled Banner.

Think about how completely overwhelming it would be to an opponent watching the fireballer in question get ready, the only noise in the entire stadium the sound of fastballs smacking the catcher’s mitt. Could the outlook be any more bleak?

The obvious downside to this choice, of course, would be when it started going wrong. Just a few boos would echo throughout the stadium if the loyalists remained silent, so Cage’s work should be reserved for a true shutdown guy.

Repoz Posted: January 06, 2009 at 05:54 PM | 97 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:07 PM (#3044487)

We keep mum for the SSB because we have something to do (look at flag, think of words to song, listen to tune). To keep folks quiet during 4'33", you need to put something appropriately nihilistic on the scoreboard, something that would shock people into silence. You'd need something new every time, though.

I can't think of anything nihilistically shocking enough that I'd also want to share, though, for reasons of taste.

2. Dan The Mediocre Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:08 PM (#3044490)

I'm disappointed he mentions the BTF thread about his closer songs article without adding the comment about playing "Ride of the Valkyries" only for Daniel or Ryan Wagner.

3. As foretold by the prophesy (JFSE) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:12 PM (#3044496)

This option, to some, seems so natural that it was deemed a cliché in the very entertaining Baseball Think Factory thread discussing songs 6-10.

1812 Overture. Debating whether to go with real cannons or not.

4. As foretold by the prophesy (JFSE) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:12 PM (#3044497)

I can't think of anything nihilistically shocking enough that I'd also want to share, though, for reasons of taste.

Todd Jones's ERA.

EDIT: Oh wait, he's toast.

5. Crispix Attacks Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:14 PM (#3044499)

Daniel Wagner? Who?

He isn't even a pitcher!

6. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:17 PM (#3044506)

Speaking of real cannon, and continuing on the theme of pro wrestling entrances from yesterday, do any closes use pyro when they enter? That would be an awesome choice, seems to me. Espcially for someone like Nathan, in the Dome.

7. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:18 PM (#3044509)

I've always envisioned myself coming out of the pen to "More Human than Human" by White Zombie, but I guess that fits the "traditional" heavy metal pieces for closers.

I don't know what the name of the song is, but the music that plays when the Orcs are assembling in "Lord of the Rings" would be kinda cool. Or Darth Vader's theme music (surely some closer has used that?)

As for rap for closers, what about "Jesus Walks" by Kanye? Or "List of Demands" by Saul Williams? Pretty cool songs, and I don't care for rap that much.

8. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:21 PM (#3044512)

Todd Jones's ERA.

That could inspire laughter, though.

As for rap for closers

Bring the noise.

9. The District Attorney Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:21 PM (#3044513)

"The Bridge Is Over" would be great for the Yankees, with all the praise of the Bronx and dissing of Queens...

4'33" is one of those "first thing you think of when you're trying to be funny" suggestions that isn't funny and doesn't even make any sense. A stadium is never going to be completely silent. It wouldn't be "silence as closer music", it would just be what happened in every game in the history of baseball before they started playing music so much.

what about "Jesus Walks" by Kanye?

Nope, the opponents would think "if Jesus can walk, so can I" and work the count. Especially if one of them is named Jesus.

10. gay guy in cut-offs smoking the objective pipe Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:21 PM (#3044514)

Speaking of real cannon, and continuing on the theme of pro wrestling entrances from yesterday, do any closes use pyro when they enter?

I've been thinking for a while now that a brilliant closer entrance would involve Blue Oyster Cult's "In the Presence of Another World", with a pyro display timed for the pick-up from slow and somber to quick and rocking.

Along with the wrestling axis, mixed martial arts guys have about the selections you'd expect, but someone in baseball really needs to pick up DMX's "Intro" a la Chuck Liddell.

11. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:23 PM (#3044515)

Or Darth Vader's theme music (surely some closer has used that?)

The Yankees use (or used, not sure) that when annoucing the opposing line-up. They would then use the Star Wars theme for the Yankee line-ups.

12. gay guy in cut-offs smoking the objective pipe Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:24 PM (#3044517)

The Yankees use (or used, not sure) that when annoucing the opposing line-up. They would then use the Star Wars theme for the Yankee line-ups.

This may be the greatest piece of baseball irony ever.

13. JJ1986 Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:24 PM (#3044518)

Ramon Castro uses something from Star Wars as his at bat music.

14. villageidiom Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:28 PM (#3044522)

only for Daniel or Ryan Wagner.

Billy.

If you have a team with a lights-out closer, but horrible setup and middle relief, I think The Hallelujiah Chorus would be perfect. That is, if a save situation ever arose.

15. Dan The Mediocre Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:32 PM (#3044530)

I have no idea why I keep calling Billy Wagner Daniel.

But the point remains.

16. esseff Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:34 PM (#3044532)

"Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha" would have been perfect for Isringhausen in 2008.

17. As foretold by the prophesy (JFSE) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:34 PM (#3044531)

If we ever see a knuckleballer close, we can run Jimmy Hager - I Can't Drive 55

18. Lassus Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:35 PM (#3044534)

This would require a whole lot of fan participation. If everyone—every fan, every vender, every usher, every bathroom attendant—could remain silent while the pitcher walked in from the bullpen and threw his warm-ups, well, that’d be about as badass an entrance as I could imagine. Is it too much to ask?

A stadium is never going to be completely silent. It wouldn't be "silence as closer music"

Well, the entire purpose of 4'33" is not the joke of "hah, there's no music in this piece", not nihilism, not bleakness, but actually that there's no such thing as absolute silence, and so paying attention to the extraneous noise is the whole point. Now, if the participatory experience was so awesome that everyone in the stadium and on the field forgot there was a game going on, yes, I can see the point.

19. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:38 PM (#3044538)

If we ever see a knuckleballer close, we can run Jimmy Hager - I Can't Drive 55

Or Joe Borowski.

20. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:39 PM (#3044539)

If we ever see a knuckleballer close

It was a long time ago, but see Wilhelm, Hoyt.

21. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3044542)

It was a long time ago, but see Wilhelm, Hoyt.

And much less long ago, see Wakefield, Tim, who record 15 saves in 1999. I believe in Feeding the Green Monster Neyer says that Wakefield used "8 Days a Week" in reference to knuckleballers' durability, which is pretty good.

Obviously not one that requires a lot of thought, Mike Myers using "Theme from Halloween" was always pretty good.

22. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3044543)

In his final few years with Oakland, it would have been a hoot if they had played a certain single from "The Divinyls" whenever Tony LaRussa brought in Eck...

Seriously, only LaRussa having one helluva man crush can explain standing by Eck during some of those stretches in 1993-5 when he had absolutely nothing day after day.

23. Cowboy Popup Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:46 PM (#3044549)

As for rap for closers

"Made You Look", "Simon Says", Method Man", "Shook Ones Pt.II" or any one of a dozen DMX songs would be pretty good. I would come out to "What's the Scenario" if I were a closer.

24. asinwreck Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:47 PM (#3044550)

Think about how completely overwhelming it would be to an opponent watching the fireballer in question get ready, the only noise in the entire stadium the sound of fastballs smacking the catcher’s mitt. Could the outlook be any more bleak?

I've been at this performance. A Pirates-Padres game on a chilly September night in 1995. Maybe 200 people were in the stands, none of them animated in the more than 2 1/2 hours it took to play the game.

That said, the Pirates' real debt to Cage was in their use of his cut-and-paste technique. It works better with tape editing than roster construction.

25. Obama Bomaye Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:47 PM (#3044552)

"The Bridge Is Over" would be great for the Yankees, with all the praise of the Bronx and dissing of Queens...

Knoblauch used "South Bronx" as his AB music one season.

26. Repoz

Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:48 PM (#3044556)

Kool would be...if Joe Nathan entered with El Ten Eleven's "Adam and Nathan Totally Kick Ass"

27. Slivers of Maranville (SdeB) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:56 PM (#3044561)

For Rafael Betancourt, I nominate As Slow as Possible.

28. NetOwl Posted: January 06, 2009 at 06:56 PM (#3044562)

I would use Beethoven's violin sonata no. 9, "Kreuzer." It starts out with a solo violin playing some a major chords with a piano echoing them, everything proceeding slowly, almost like a dirge, with the dynamics almost fading away, and then the tempo changes to presto, the key changes to a minor, and both the violin and piano are off to the races.

Tolstoy wrote a short story about this piece inspiring a murder.

Other considerations:

-The "confutatis" from Verdi's Requiem
-Parts of the 1st movement of the Brahms violin concerto
-Just about anything by Mussorgsky, but "Night on Bald Mountain" would be the most familiar
-Something by Leos Janacek, whose music always makes me feel like I'm standing at the edge of the world staring into the abyss

29. I am the Can Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:06 PM (#3044569)

Has anyone mentioned the theme music from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? Or For a Few Dollars More?

30. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:08 PM (#3044571)

TI's "Rubber Band Man" would be awesome, I think. DJ Khaled's "We Takin' Over" - especially if you cut it so Weezy's verse ran into the chorus a couple times. "Still D.R.E." for a veteran closer.

31. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:11 PM (#3044574)

Note: It would help if the closer in question is about 7-foot-5 and 350 pounds or so.

Jonathan Broxton, come on down!

32. Craig in MN Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:16 PM (#3044580)

If we are open to classical options, why not Flight of the Bumblebee? I'd imagine that would be as likely as anything to throw off the batter....leave them feeling twitchy.

If I was a closer, I think I'd opt for Chariots of Fire...and then I'd do a slow motion run in from the bullpen. Either that or Hail to the Chief....just because no one else is going to play it for me ever and it would be a pretty good WTF moment.

33. NetOwl Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:19 PM (#3044585)

Other ideas:

-The mechanical music from Delibes's "Coppelia"
-The Ciaconne from Bach's second violin partita (possibly the greatest solo piece every written in any era)
-The opening of the first movement of the Sibelius violin concerto--dark, creepy, and with an air of mystery to it
-Back to ballet, how 'bout the finale from Swan Lake? Cliched, yes, but still awesome
-We're this far and no one has mentioned Mahler yet?
-This discussion needs some Richard Strauss, as all discussions do, but I can't think of what would be most appropriate of his stuff

34. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:20 PM (#3044586)

If we are open to classical options, why not Flight of the Bumblebee? I'd imagine that would be as likely as anything to throw off the batter....leave them feeling twitchy.

Speaking of things that would work for a knuckleballing closer.

Hail to the Chief....just because no one else is going to play it for me ever and it would be a pretty good WTF moment.

I spent most of the 9th inning at Nationals' games complaining they didn't play this for Cordero, who was even nicknamed "The Chief" before they moved to DC.

35. Lassus Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:23 PM (#3044589)

-We're this far and no one has mentioned Mahler yet?

That was the first thing I thought about, one of the awesome brass fanfares or timpani moments from any number of his symphonies, but you can't really pinpoint them without simply noting a time code in his long movements, they are kind of hard to pin down and separate. I'd go for something in the 2nd, 8th, or 9th. The first movement of the 2nd has a lot of dramatic moments as well, including the portion just before the close where the cellists are whacking their bows on the bridge of the instrument.

(As a side note, the Verdi "Confutatis" is a somewhat subdued bass/baritone solo, do you mean the antiphonal "Confutatis/Voca Me" from the Mozart Requiem, or am I just being judgmental?)

If I was a closer, I think I'd opt for Chariots of Fire...and then I'd do a slow motion run in from the bullpen.

Awesome.

36. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:39 PM (#3044603)

I totally wish stadiums would take a cue from Wilbur Snapp and play some derogatory music.

I think they've gotten in trouble in the past for doing this. I seem to remember a team getting in trouble for playing "Three Blind Mice" when the umps were announced and the Brewers got in trouble for playing "She's only 17" when Luis Polonia hit.

37. TerpNats Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:43 PM (#3044610)

Not long after Derek Jeter's breakup with Mariah Carey, the Comiskey Park people played Carey music before a Jeter at-bat when the Yanks played the Sox, and they were told to quit it.

38. WillYoung Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:45 PM (#3044614)

I always mention this, but it still cracks me up. During Mike Trombley's brief tenure as closer for the Twins, his entrance music was "Take On Me".

39. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:48 PM (#3044618)

During Mike Trombley's brief tenure as closer for the Twins, his entrance music was "Take On Me".

I suspect the two bolded elements are connected.

40. Cowboy Popup Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:50 PM (#3044622)

Not long after Derek Jeter's breakup with Mariah Carey, the Comiskey Park people played Carey music before a Jeter at-bat when the Yanks played the Sox, and they were told to quit it.

They (I think it was the White Sox) played the song that Tawney Kitaen was in the video for when Finley pitched there at the end of his career. I think Gammons said who ever was responsible for it was fired.

41. Crispix Attacks Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:52 PM (#3044625)

DJ Khaled's "We Takin' Over" - especially if you cut it so Weezy's verse ran into the chorus a couple times. "Still D.R.E." for a veteran closer.

"Nowadays everybody wanna talk, like they got something to say, but nothing comes out when they move their lips, just a bunch of gibberish, melon farmers act like they forgot about Gagne"

42. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: January 06, 2009 at 07:56 PM (#3044629)

The Pirates played Pop Goes the Weasel and used a springboard "boing" sound for Raffy Palmeiro, in reference to his Viagra ads. He complained and they stopped.

43. Kid Charlemagne Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:03 PM (#3044634)

Has anyone ever used "Bring The Noise," either the Public Enemy or Anthrax/PE version?

44. McCoy Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:05 PM (#3044636)

Baba O'Riley, and hell the lyrics even work for the moment as well
Won't Get Fooled Again
Seven Nation Army
Black Math
Icky Thump
Blue Orchid

45. The District Attorney Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:07 PM (#3044639)

During Mike Trombley's brief tenure as closer for the Twins, his entrance music was "Take On Me".

I suspect the two bolded elements are connected.

A Norwegian jumped out of a comic book and whisked him away?

46. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:08 PM (#3044640)

Movin' Right Along - Muppets.

47. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:10 PM (#3044644)

In honor of the late (very late, as in this morning) Ron Asheton, I vote for Search and Destroy.

48. McCoy Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:10 PM (#3044647)

They should have played "Bad Moon Rising" whenever Turnbow or Gagne came to the mound.

49. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:14 PM (#3044654)

Icky Thump

This is probably the only reason I will ever remember the Shelley Duncan era.

50. vortex of dissipation Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3044667)

"Baba O'Riley" is perfect - the University of Washington basketball team used it for player intros for a while, and it was great.

I'd use "Shoot Out the Lights" by Richard Thompson, the live version from More Guitar - the opening chords are about the most ominous in rock.

Or the Finale of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" - the slow buildup, then a fast section, and finally one of the most majestic melodies I've ever heard...

51. TedBerg

Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3044673)

@44 -- Bring the Noise is one of my favorite songs ever. The pitcher in question, though, would probably have to be black, as it'd seem pretty odd if Aaron Heilman trotted out to the sounds of Chuck D questioning the blackness of radio stations.

52. Big Train Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:32 PM (#3044678)

When Gabe White was with the Yanks, they used Seven Nation Army for him.

53. AJM Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:37 PM (#3044687)

Chad Qualls, I believe, uses Killing in the Name.

54. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:39 PM (#3044688)

Heilman used Seven Nation Army last year, I think. Before that he used "London Calling." At least as a set-up man John Franco used "Sweet Emotion" which I now associate with boos flying around Shea Stadium.

55. Red Menace Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:40 PM (#3044690)

I would come out to "What's the Scenario" if I were a closer.

I've considered this, but there's only a brief chorus at the beginning and end. You would have to loop it or something.

56. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:42 PM (#3044693)

I totally wish stadiums would take a cue from Wilbur Snapp and play some derogatory music.

"Sabotage" by Beastie Boys when the Mets bullpen comes in
"Born to Slow" by Crystal Method when a particularly portly player bats
"Don't Believe the Hype" by Public Enemy when a prospect is up

57. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:45 PM (#3044697)

"Don't Believe the Hype" by Public Enemy when a prospect is up

I think that was Frank Thomas's favorite song when he was a youngster. He used it as a personal admonition to never be complacent.

58. sardonic Posted: January 06, 2009 at 08:49 PM (#3044704)

Kanye West - Stronger

59. NetOwl Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3044721)

As a side note, the Verdi "Confutatis"
is a somewhat subdued bass/baritone solo, do you mean the antiphonal "Confutatis/Voca Me" from the Mozart Requiem, or am I just being judgmental?

I'm thinking of something from Verdi, though possibly a different part. It's been a while since I sat down to listen to it, and it's not in my rotation for work music.

Thanks to the movie, I'm not likely to confuse the Mozart version of that for anything else.

Any good Mahler recording recommendations? I only have one CD (1st and 3rd symphonies), and it somehow got scratched up to the point where it made wild screeching noises in my car's player this morning.

60. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:08 PM (#3044725)

"I think they've gotten in trouble in the past for doing this. I seem to remember a team getting in trouble for playing "Three Blind Mice" when the umps were announced and the Brewers got in trouble for playing "She's only 17" when Luis Polonia hit."

There was a minor league organist who got ejected for playing the theme from the Mickey Mouse club, as a way of questioning an umpire's call. And I can't find the details, but I remember someone getting in trouble for playing a song ("Whole Lot of Shaking Going On", maybe?) that made fun of Jim Eisenreich for having Tourette's.

61. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:12 PM (#3044729)

"The pitcher in question, though, would probably have to be black, as it'd seem pretty odd if Aaron Heilman trotted out to the sounds of Chuck D questioning the blackness of radio stations."

Anthrax is all white, right? He could get away with it if he wanted.

62. TedBerg

Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:30 PM (#3044759)

I don't know, does that mean we're admitting that Anthrax "got away with it?" Clearly their version with Chuck D on the track is cool, but I think Frank Anthrax or whatever his name is sounds kinda dumb when he's recommending Farrakhan in live versions without Public Enemy.

63. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:35 PM (#3044772)

The White Sox fired someone for playing "Here I Go Again" when Chuck Finley warmed up after Tawny Kurtain [sic] was arrested.

64. esseff Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:44 PM (#3044783)

When Gabe White was with the Yanks, they used Seven Nation Army for him.

I would think a marginal major league pitcher might not want to use a song that inclludes the line "I'm going to Wichita"

65. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:49 PM (#3044795)

Well, the entire purpose of 4'33" is not the joke of "hah, there's no music in this piece", not nihilism, not bleakness, but actually that there's no such thing as absolute silence, and so paying attention to the extraneous noise is the whole point.

Nihilism may not be the point, but it is a legitimate path of criticism.

66. Karl from NY Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:50 PM (#3044800)

I'm surprised no closers go for "Final Countdown", which is otherwise such a common arena rock staple. I'd go with it, except I'd have it start with the second chorus and then into the shreddin' solo which we never actually make it to in stadium play.

67. Lassus Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:50 PM (#3044801)

Any good Mahler recording recommendations? I only have one CD (1st and 3rd symphonies), and it somehow got scratched up to the point where it made wild screeching noises in my car's player this morning.

WELL, I'm a singer so I'm drawn to the 2nd and the 8th. I'm not sure which of those two in your set you prefer, but I'll guess it's the Bernstein as those are usually paired. If you're partial to the 1st, Columbia has a pretty great recording of Walter's (who studied briefly under Mahler) recording of the 1st and 2nd. The remastering is very very good:

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies-Lieder-fahrenden-Gesellen/dp/B000002A7H

As far as the 2nd in a single modern recording, Blomstedt and the best symphony chorus in the country in San Francisco are amazing:

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-No-2-Resurrection/dp/B00000423M

For the 8th, one of the best recordings is also one of the cheapest, on NAXOS, of the Warsaw Symphony:

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-No-Thousand/dp/B000EQHS14

Some of Lenny's recordings have a tendency to fall out of favor, but in the instrumental symphonies, his 6th and 7th are seen as definitive: (I'm still guessing that this one comes from the same cycle as your 1 and 3, but even if not, well worth it. Also, these are imports listed in Amazon, I simply like the original artwork in the release but you can find cheaper reissues with some minimal searching.)

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonie-No-7/dp/B000001G7H
http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonie-No-6-Kindertotenlieder/dp/B000001GBD/ref=pd_sim_m_1

Many consider the 9th to be Mahler's masterpiece, and one of Tilson-Thomas's best recordings of his work. I'm not as familiar with this symphony, and haven't really had time to compare it to others, but it is pretty good. The San Francisco Symphony does incredible work (I'll be buying his 8th in this cycle when he does it. Amazon loves his 2nd, I've never heard it, but personally I think it's difficult to go wrong with Tilson-Thomas):

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-No-Hybrid-SACD/dp/B0007YMUFC

I'm thinking Dan might not be a Mahler guy, but he might have some opinions if he is.

Hope that helps, and sorry to bore the rest of you.

68. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:51 PM (#3044802)

I want a Coke from #44.

69. jwb Posted: January 06, 2009 at 09:52 PM (#3044803)

Any good Mahler recording recommendations?

Ninth with Solti/CSO. You really want the horn section modifications.

70. esseff Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:01 PM (#3044816)

Question on the Mahler recommendations: Are we talking about Rick or Mickey?

71. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:07 PM (#3044825)

Off the top of my head, some things that'd work well:

*Tom Waits - "Goin' Out West"
*Laibach - "God is God"
*Peter Tosh - "Stepping Razor"
*Primal Scream - "Accelerator"
*Public Image Ltd. - "The Order of Death"
*Basil Poledouris - "Anvil of Crom"

And as popular as Kill Bill was, I'm flat-out shocked that nobody is using Tomoyasu Hotei's "Battle Without Love Or Humanity".

72. Lassus Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:09 PM (#3044826)

Question on the Mahler recommendations: Are we talking about Rick or Mickey?

Gustav Mahler: Shortish career and output, very high in VORC, great peak, early departure due to health.

Closest comp seems to be Koufax.

73. tribefan Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:16 PM (#3044833)

In honor of the late (very late, as in this morning) Ron Asheton, I vote for Search and Destroy.

Man, what a bummer.

74. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:31 PM (#3044849)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King by Greig ought to scare the hell out of them.

75. Davo Malvolio Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:34 PM (#3044855)

Someone has to use "Never Gonna Give You Up," right?

76. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:37 PM (#3044859)

Has anyone used Surrender by Cheap Trick?

77. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: January 06, 2009 at 10:39 PM (#3044864)

Someone has to use "Never Gonna Give You Up," right?

After they complete the save, the closer can scream, "RICKROLLED!"

78. BarrettsHiddenBall Posted: January 06, 2009 at 11:07 PM (#3044882)

It only works for the Braves, but Going to Georgia by the Mountain Goats would be great.

"I've got two big hands a heart pumping blood and a 1967 colt 45 with a busted safety catch"

79. Zach Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:25 AM (#3044945)

I've always thought that Massive Attack's "Angel" would work really well. Maybe not the lyrics, but the spooky instrumental lead in.

80. Zach Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:31 AM (#3044947)

Link to the Massive Attack Song

I think this is the one (this computer doesn't have a sound card).

81. Alex meets the threshold for granular review Posted: January 07, 2009 at 02:00 AM (#3044978)

Good rap songs assuming profanity isn't a concern:

-Biggie, "Kick in the Door" or "Who Shot Ya?"
-Wu-Tang Clan, "Bring da Ruckus"
-M.O.P., "Firing Squad"
-Eric B. & Rakim, "I Ain't No Joke"
-Dr. Dre, "What's the Difference"
-Blackalicious, "Sky is Falling"

82. Crispix Attacks Posted: January 07, 2009 at 02:13 AM (#3044987)

-M.O.P., "Firing Squad"

Or "Ante Up"

-Wu-Tang Clan, "Bring da Ruckus"

This would call for a customized version.
"If you got beef then bring the ruckus
Valverde ain't nothing to #### with"

83. AndrewJ Posted: January 07, 2009 at 02:43 AM (#3045007)

The introductory music from "Carmen"? Hey, it worked well in "The Bad News Bears."

Why not just the Jets motif from "West Side Story"? It'd be cool to have 40,000 fans simultaneously snap their fingers...

84. mashimaro Posted: January 07, 2009 at 02:56 AM (#3045010)

Tool Electrical Storm- but I still want silence if it were me.

85. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: January 07, 2009 at 03:35 AM (#3045033)

Someone has to use "Never Gonna Give You Up," right?

Is Rick White still pitching? What about Rick Helling? Although I guess the ultimate would be Rick Aguilera.

86. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: January 07, 2009 at 03:55 AM (#3045044)

I'm disappointed he mentions the BTF thread about his closer songs article without adding the comment about playing "Ride of the Valkyries" only for Daniel or Ryan Wagner.

Well, it's either that.. or playing "Kill the Wabbit"

Anyways, someone should use "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" by Weezer in 2009.

87. McCoy Posted: January 07, 2009 at 05:37 AM (#3045098)

Voodoo Child

88. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: January 07, 2009 at 05:48 AM (#3045105)

Voodoo Child

My current ringtone.

89. McCoy Posted: January 07, 2009 at 06:31 AM (#3045126)

My current ringtones are:
Baba O'Riley
Back in Black
Col. Bogey
Symphony no.9
Imperial March

90. esseff Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:32 AM (#3045149)

Well, it's either that.. or playing "Kill the Wabbit"

SCTV fans remember it as "Vikings and Beekeepers"

91. Starlin of the Slipstream (TRHN) Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:47 AM (#3045159)

When I get a phone that lets me put a ringtone on it, I'd like to put "Cosmik Debris" by Frank Zappa on it. That would probably be my top choice for closer entrance music, too. We used to listen to it on car trips when I was a kid and it always scared me a little bit. My second choice for closer music would be "The Impostor" by Elvis Costello.

92. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: January 07, 2009 at 08:11 AM (#3045162)

Takashi Saito needs to come into games with the Yoshida Brothers blasting the stadium. Storm, Kodo, and Rising.

93. MM1f Posted: January 07, 2009 at 08:41 AM (#3045171)

I would think a marginal major league pitcher might not want to use a song that inclludes the line "I'm going to Wichita"

While that is a funny comment it also makes me look up White's career. Talk about on-and-off.
His ERA+s went from 106 to 267 to 85 to 145 to 103 to 63 at one point. Over that same span the ERAs went from 4.43 to 2.26 to 6.25 to 2.98 to 4.05 to 6.94.

Yikes.

94. NetOwl Posted: January 07, 2009 at 10:53 PM (#3045844)

Gustav Mahler: Shortish career and output, very high in VORC, great peak, early departure due to health.

Closest comp seems to be Koufax.

That may be the first Mahler joke I've ever heard.

Thank you for the recommendations. I'm somewhat deficient in my knowledge of stuff that does not include a solo violin, but I've been attempting to broaden my horizons lately.

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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

SNY: Berg: Great as-yet-unused closer songs, Nos. 1-5

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