Ten years ago (yes, somehow ten years ago), a simple song went absolutely viral for Oakland A’s fans when Josh Reddick started to use the song “Careless Whisper” as his walk-up song. Fans brought inflatable saxophones, people danced along, it was a whole movement with the A’s.
This wasn’t the only time a walk-up song became a rallying cry for a whole fanbase. In 2019 the super popular kids’ song “Baby Shark” became the walk-up song of choice for Gerardo Parra. People were singing along and making arm movements (and wearing costumes!) even into the World Series.
On a slightly less viral level, I was personally delighted by the choices Ian Kinsler made during his tenure with the Tigers, picking a Motown choice as a nod to the city with the infectious “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder (which was also a subtle wink to the superstition of having walk-up songs at all) and then periodically “Seven Nation Army” by Detroit band The White Stripes. Kinsler is, notably, business partners with White Stripes singer Jack White in the baseball bat brand Warstic. Those song choices were clearly intentional.
So here’s the eternal question: if you were a baseball player, what would your walk-up song be? Would you go for something funny and memorable, or something meaningful to you and your team? Personally, my go-to answer has always been “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac. I’d love to know what your pick is.