Best Walk-Up Music in Major League Baseball for 2011

Some opt for none at all. Some never change theirs, and some choose theirs very carefully. No, I'm not talking about Jim Leyland's lucky underwear, I'm referring to a players walk-up music.

There's nothing like the sounds of the stadium to get you in the mood for a ballgame. The national anthems, the vendor balancing candy on his head yelling peanuts, popcorn, cracker jacks as you settle into your seat, and lastly, your favourite players walk-up music.

It would be impossible to compile a list of each teams "best" walk-up song because music is very subjective. So as the 2011 baseball season comes to a close, here's a list of each major league team's best walk-up ROCK song for 2011.

30. Chicago Cubs: No Walk-Up Music

The Cubs tried walk-up music in 2010, and it went so well, they ditched it for 2011. Well, there's always the stretch at Wrigley. A one, a two, a three…

29. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd: Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners

Ackley wins due to lack of support from the Mariners front office. I scoured the net and found very little.

Forum after forum turned up nothing (up to date anyway). Numerous people had posted that they contacted the M's front office and received a generic reply that they don't have that information available.

I, too, tried numerous times and didn't even receive a reply.

So, after finding an article (with YouTube proof) that Ackely uses Skynard, he gets the nod.

28. White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane: Trevor Cahill, Oakland A's

After contacting the A's front office, I was informed that players don't have walk-up music and songs are played at will. However, I got my hands on some songs that were played at some point during a player's walk/warm-up, and the winner is...a song clearly about drugs!

I wonder if this song was chosen to help increase concession sales? Anyone got the munchies?

27. Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi: Ryan Spilborghs, Colorado Rockies

Ironically, the Rockies lineup had very few rock songs to choose from. Spilborghs's choice of "Livin' on a Prayer" seems odd.

While it's a great song, the chorus doesn't exactly exude confidence. Maybe I should have went with Tulo's fan selection of "Baby", by Justin Bieber?

26. Dragula by Rob Zombie: Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros

A hardcore guitar intro with unmistakable lyrics to pump up the fans as well.

25. Death Before Dishonor by Five Finger Death Punch: Brandon Wood, Pittsburgh

Slim pickings from the Bucs when it comes to rock, but Brandon Wood goes heavy metal with this song that will make your neighbors look at you and think, WTF!

24. Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider: Brad Penny, Detroit Tigers

Tough call here. I could have went with Don Kelly's choice of "Use Somebody" (King's of Leon), or Ryan Perry's choice of "Inside the Fire" (Disturbed).

All songs were worthy, but I'm going with the veterans classic rock choice on this one.

23. Down with the Sickness by Disturbed: Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins

OOOH-AH-AH-AH-AH.

It's a shame Johnson was on the disabled list for so long, depriving his fans of this hardcore song when he takes the mound.

Marlins fans can, however, take solace in the fact that Ryan Webb comes out to Linkin Park's "Wretches and Kings", where 20 seconds in it sounds like a guitar version of an emergency broadcast beacon.

22. Firestarter by Prodigy: Rick Ankiel, Washington Nationals

Ankiel tries to provide a spark with his alt-rock walk-up music.

21. Ain't No Noise Pollution by AC/DC: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

Several players have "TNT" or "Thunderstruck", but Morneau walks-up with a great guitar rift from Acca Dacca.

20. Black Betty by Ram Jam: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

Kinsler has a few walk-up songs, but the drum beats at the start of "Black Betty" should get everyone at the ballpark tapping their feet.

19. Killing in the Name of by Rage Against the Machine: Kelly Johnson, Toronto

Well, it sure beats Kelly's walk-up prank song of "It's Raining Men" while with the Diamondbacks, that's for sure.

18. Bombtrack by Rage Against the Machine: Shelley Duncan, Cleveland Indians

It's too bad Shelley Duncan is a bench player, because he's one of the few players in the league that has a Rage song to walk up to.

Nothing like some angry, politically-charged music to get you in the mood for some baseball!

17. Sweet Hom Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd: Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox

Pretty fitting song being that Peavy's from Alabama. Sweet guitar intro, great song to start the game…turn it up.

16. God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash: Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals

Baltimore's Brian Matusz also chose this as his walk-up song, but only Berkman is playing worthy enough to actually use this song.

I realize Cash is more country than rock, however, his American recordings consists of several rock songs.

15. So What'Cha Want by the Beastie Boys: Xavier Nady, Arizona Diamondbacks

Great start to the song with some good beats to get the crowd involved.

One of the few players to have the Beastie Boys as their intro music as well.

14. Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood: Jared Burton, Cincinnati Reds

This song would be even more fitting if Burton were a lights-out closer, but it's still a great guitar riff to enter a ball game to.

13. Can't Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Rizzo, San Diego Padres

Part of the A-Gon trade, Rizzo uses the guitar solo at 22 seconds into this catchy RHCP song.

How can you not get excited with that guitar solo?

12. Sorrow by Bad Religion: Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

You ever know of a song that's an awesome song, but it seems like not many other people know of it?

This is one of them. A hidden gem of a song.

Good work by the likely Rookie of the Year, Mark Trumbo.

11. Come on Baby Light My Fire by The Doors: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

A great song from the 60's, for The Freak that looks like he's from the 60's.

10. Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones: Ike Davis, New York Mets

Does anyone remember when Microsoft used this song for their commercials back in the 90's?

Anyone?

Well, they did, and it made me want to buy Microsoft products. Maybe the Mets should have used this song to advertise the sale of the team?

9. Wanna Be Startin Something by Michael Jackson: Nyjer Morgan, Milwaukee

I could have selected Craig Counsell's choice of "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix.

I should have chosen Counsell's choice, but doesn't this pop-rock song just suit the energetic Nyjer Morgan to a tee?

8. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

Kudos to Shane Victorino for walking up to Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier", even though he's clearly not a "Buffalo Soldier."

The Phil's had quite the selection to choose from, but..."When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin 4"~Mike Damone, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Okay, so it's not on side one of Zeppelin 4, and isn't exactly a makeout song, but it's just an amazing walk-up song!

7. Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpion: Luke Scott, Baltimore Orioles

Like Babe Ruth calling his shot, Luke Scott enters to a song with the lyrics: "Here I am. Rock you like a hurricane."

Very prophetic if he hits a long ball.

6. Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys: Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox

When a closer comes in, he's there to do two things: Get the fans up out of their seats and cheering, and successfully close out the game.

This DKM song does half the job, and more often than not, Papelbon does the other half.

5. Iron Man by Black Sabbath: Jonathon Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers

Tough call on this one. Actually, not really.

Cheers to Hiroki Kuroda and Casey Blake for their choices of "Hero" (Foo Fighters) and "No Leaf Clover" (Metallica), respectively.

But a major league closer needs three things: A mid to upper 90's heater, an out-pitch and intro music to get the stadium rockin'. Broxton goes 3-for-3 here.

4. Down and out by Tantric: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

If you're watching a Rays home game on TV and you're rooting for the other team, you won't like the sound of this amazing violin intro because you know Longoria is about to step into the box.

Its nice to see when a great all-around player comes along like Longoria. It's even nicer when he has a wicked-awesome walk-up song that becomes identifiable with him, and only him.

3. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses: Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals

While the lyrics don't really relate to baseball, per se, the song has become identifiable with the Royals closer. 

Let's be honest, the Royals don't get many chances to close out games so it can be quite a treat.

2. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves

ALL ABOARD…HAHAHAHAHAHA…da-dum…da-dum…da-dum...AY-AY-AY-AY-AY.

Sorry, easy to get a little caught up with this one.

I'd be willing to wager large sums of money that when Chipper Jones retires, he'll never want to hear this song again, though.

1. Enter Sandman by Metallica: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Is there a more fitting song for the best closer that baseball has ever seen? Exit light...enter night...translation: If you're hearing this song, it's lights out for the Yankees' visitors.

I hope you enjoyed the best walk-p songs in Major League Baseball 2011.

Please feel free to contact me if you're looking for a specific players intro music and I'll do my best to locate it. And be sure to check back next year for the 2012 season's walk-up songs.