Bad Closer Entrance Music
Wed, Feb 1, 2006
by Geoff Young
Eric Mirlis has written an article about closer entrance music over at TheMirl.com. He focuses on the songs of both New York closers (Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” — not a bad choice, although I prefer “Wherever I May Roam,” which Akinori Otsuka used when he was here), but it got me to thinking: which song(s) would you not want as your closer entrance music?
Here are a few my wife and I came up with over dinner at Teri Cafe last night:
- “Music Box Dancer,” Frank Mills. The visual effect would be stunning.
- “I Can’t Wait,” Nu Shooz. What is making those farty noises?
- “Dust in the Wind,” Kansas. Hey everybody, let’s get mellow and give in to the cosmos.
- “Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” Gordon Lightfoot. Nothing picks up a crowd like a good boat-sinking tune.
- “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” Roberta Flack. Because a credit card commercial took that Minnie Ripperton song.
This is a start. I know y’all have some good ideas. ¡Digame, amigos!
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
February 1, 2006 at 8:46 am
Feelings…nothing more than…Feelings…
February 1, 2006 at 9:05 am
“the bitch is back” by elton john
“what’s goin on?” by 4 non-blondes
“it’s not unusual” by sir tom jones (yes, those british dolts knighted him)
“stroke” by billy squier
February 1, 2006 at 9:28 am
“Wake me up before you Go-Go” Wrong in every way imaginable.
February 1, 2006 at 9:33 am
Lets get drunk a screw- Jimmy Buffet
February 1, 2006 at 9:34 am
Chris, if Elton is knighted, then surely TJ should be knighted.
February 1, 2006 at 10:31 am
Rap edition:
“My Mind’s Playin’ Tricks on Me” by the Geto Boys
“Mo Money, Mo Problems” by Notorious B.I.G.
“Abandon Ship” by Busta Rhymes
“5 Million Ways to Kill a C.E.O.” by The Coup
“Rico Suave” by Gerardo
February 1, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Firestarter by Prodigy.. God awful song and not a nickname I’d like to have as a closer.
February 1, 2006 at 2:50 pm
“Poundcake” by Van Halen would be a little inappropriate for a closer. While the topic is on individual songs, shouldn’t Klesko change his to something a little less self-fulfilling than “Bad to the Bone.”
By the way, Geoff, I’ve been following Ducksnorts for a while now. Thanks for all the work you do.
February 1, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Solid efforts. Keep ‘em coming!
February 1, 2006 at 3:41 pm
“It’s Raining Men”
February 1, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Great topic - here’s a true story from last season.
Last season, the wheels came off for Brad Baker’s season when he entered a game to Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” Baker blew the save that night, proceeded to get bombed several more times and lost the closer’s job within the month.
I encouraged the PA guy to pick a good song and stick with it. I’m a fan of ACDC’s Thunderstruck, which David Lundquist used here in 2001. But no, he had to bounce around with a few songs. When he finally used Europe, that was the end of Baker’s season.
I still give the PA guy grief for that.
February 1, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Anything by Scritti Politti would probably fail to intimidate.
February 1, 2006 at 8:14 pm
80’s:
Kajagoogoo, “Too Shy”
Haysi Fantayzee “Shiny Shiny”.
Culture Club, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”
90’s:
Sixpence None the Richer, “Kiss Me”
When in Rome, “The Promise”
I’d love to see some monster like Rob Dibble or John Rocker come charging in to one of these songs.
February 1, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Oh come on? No Simpsons fans going to pop in with Homer’s boxing theme song War’s “Why Can’t We Be Friends” as the most entirely inappropriate closer song of all time?
February 2, 2006 at 12:39 am
MacArthur Park sung by Richard Harris (among others)
When Will I Be Loved sung by Linda Ronstadt
Knock Three Times sung by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Desperado by the Eagles
(In a similar vein to the above)
Lonesome Loser sung by the Little River Band
“Tambourine Man”, sung by William Shatner
(Then again, *anything* sung by William Shatner)
Medea’s Child
February 2, 2006 at 4:54 am
“chim chiminey” from the Mary Poppins soundtrack
“Kiss on my List” Hall & Oates
“Songbird” — Kenny G
February 2, 2006 at 8:43 am
What I’ve always wanted to do (which would also probably be horrible for any baseball player) is to come out to one of these three options
1) “Taps”
2) Dogs barking “Jingle Bells”
3) Doesn’t matter, as long as the closer is carrying a cordless mic and singing it on the way to the mound
In a more realistic vein, “Loser” by Beck would not inspire confidence
February 2, 2006 at 8:47 am
Dogs barking “Jingle Bells” has to be the best idea so far…
February 2, 2006 at 8:59 am
Oh Mandy - B. Manilow (aka Barely ManEnough)
February 2, 2006 at 9:18 am
I like the dogs barking Jingle Bells.
How about any song by Weird Al? That would be great as well . . .
February 2, 2006 at 1:24 pm
They should play something that would just confuse people, like a portion of a Sonic Youth song from the 80’s where they are just playing out of tune instruments with their feet to create ambience. Or not, whatever.
February 2, 2006 at 1:26 pm
They could play Man Eater. I’m sure that would raise some eyebrows.
February 2, 2006 at 3:43 pm
I’m truely surprised that no one’s suggested my personal favorite:
“Baby Got Back,” by Sir Mix A Lot.
Because anytime you can play this song in a very public setting, it’s comedy.
February 2, 2006 at 7:04 pm
I wonder if the Padres would consider playing “Poundcake” when the opposing closer came in?
(thanks for the suggestion, LaMar
February 3, 2006 at 6:16 am
Speaking of closers — bye bye Rusty Tucker.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....adres.html
February 3, 2006 at 8:29 am
I’m not sure if it would be genius or gawd awful, but I lean towards gawd awful:
“The Safety Dance” Dude’s out there getting a save, after all.
February 3, 2006 at 8:31 am
For one that doesn’t inspire confidence, I nominate NOFX: “Hobophobic (scared of bums)”
February 3, 2006 at 10:17 am
- Billy Don’t Be A Hero
by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods,
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
by Simon & Garfunkel,
- Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
by Elton John/Kiki Dee.
February 3, 2006 at 10:29 am
- Idiot Prayer
by Nick Cave
- This Mess We’re In
by P J Harvey
- On Your Side
by Pete Yorn
February 3, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Not sure why I still care … but RamonH had a good day yesterday … http://tinyurl.com/97qtx
February 3, 2006 at 1:07 pm
This info in my daily BP email …
This week on Baseball Prospectus Radio, we’ll have Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman from the Padres. He’ll reflect on his career on the field and in the booth.
… but no details about when this will happen … http://www.baseballprospectus.com/radio/ … looks like it’s a Saturday thing …
February 4, 2006 at 11:11 am
Here’s a link to the BP radio show with the Jerry Coleman interview … http://www.baseballprospectus......060203.mp3
February 5, 2006 at 12:40 am
Just by connotation, these should be struck from the playlist at any ballpark:
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Bon Jovi - Livin’ On A Prayer
Godsmack - Mistakes
Stone Temple Pilots - Half the Man I Used to Be
System Of A Down - Roulette
The Beatles - Don’t Let Me Down
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
February 20, 2006 at 10:02 am
what a great idea for a story how about T.NT. by a.c.d.c. or aint no mountain higher by sung by john tesh
August 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Two words: Indigo Girls.
September 20, 2008 at 9:36 pm
and noone has mentioned Pantera’s “Walk”?
although its awesome.