The art of the walk-up song is highly underrated. Here are the walk-up songs these New York Yankees should have this upcoming season.
When it comes to the New York Yankees, there aren’t many opportunities for players to express themselves on the field or in the clubhouse.We are already anticipating the death of Clint Frazier’s luscious red locks when he gets called up. And that’s just how the Yankees are.
However, they do allow the form of expression when it comes to their music.
The walk-up song is the greatest form of expression any player in major league baseball can have.
It is a way to announce their presence at the play. It is how they display their personality in the game and an opportunity to bring some life to what has been deemed a dying sport.
As a player struts up to the plate to a tune of their choice, it’s something they have a say in. Typically, the songs are picked by players, but what if fans picked them?
Take a look at what these Yankees should have as their walk-up songs for the 2017 season.
Jacoby Ellsbury
- Last year’s tune: “Gettin’ It” by Too $hort
- This season’s song: “Mo Money, Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G.
We’ll stick to the tune of money since that seems to be a lot of what Ellsbury has been getting in the Bronx instead of timely hits.
With time left on Ellsbury’s massive contract, the more money the Yankees shed on him, the more problems they seem to have with him.
Riddled with injuries and exhibiting up and down performances these past few seasons, Ellsbury has many people questioning if the money spent on him is actually worth it. All we know is that for now, we are stuck with him.
When he does great things for the team, he’s worth every penny. But it seems that those great things have recently been far and few between.
Right now he’s eating up a lot of contract dollars the Yankees could be using on spry, youthful players to boost their already booming talent. I guess it’s true that “Mo Money” can lead to many “Mo Problems” for the New York Yankees with their center fielder.
Brett Gardner
- Last year’s tune: “Huntin’, Fishing’ and Lovin’ Every Day” by Luke Bryan
- This season’s song: “U Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer
Let’s face it. We all assumed this would finally be the off-season that the Yankees followed through on their threats to trade Brett Gardner. However, it didn’t happen (yet, at least).
Gardner is that player that is constantly on the tongue of trade talks but just keeps coming back. No matter how much you believe he’ll be gone by Opening Day, he just continues to show up in pinstripes once again.
Seriously, the trade rumors can’t touch this guy. Other teams can’t touch this guy. He is truly untouchable. No one knows why, no one knows how, but Brett Gardner cannot be touched.
Also, he’s insanely speedy. That might have something to do with it.
Starlin Castro
- Last year’s tune: “Calentate Girl” by Shelow Shaq
- This season’s song: “Starboy” by The Weeknd (featuring Daft Punk)
This is an easy one to pick. It may be obvious due to his name, but Starlin is actually just that: a star. He made such a splash in the Bronx last season, compiling seven RBIs in his first two games.
With dazzling plays all season long and timely home runs, all coupled with his chill attitude on the field, this guy is truly a breath of fresh air for the Yankees.
He might not be with the Yankees for much longer, especially with prospects ascending quickly through the system, but when is on the field, he deserves to be recognized for the star he is.
So if he goes up to the plate blasting The Weeknd, his opponents better be prepared to deal with this Starlin’ Darlin’.
Gary Sanchez
- Last year’s tune: Unknown
- This season’s song: “Watch Me” by Silento
Maybe he really can whip and Nae Nae, but I’m more interested in watching him do it all: Crush home runs, throw out opponents on the base paths, possibly produce a few game-winning hits.
With his astronomical start last season, all eyes will be on Sanchez already. The anticipation of a full-season performance from Sanchez is enough to keep people interested.
Plus, he seems like a fun-loving guy who would be a trend. While this trend is pretty much over, if anyone can bring it back, it would certainly be the young phenom, Sanchez.
Dellin Betances
- Last year’s tune: “What More Can I Say” by Jay-Z
- This season’s song: “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen
Ah, Dellin Betances may not be the closer this season, but he still deserves a song to listen to while jogging out to the mound in the eighth inning. What other song works better than this classic by Queen?
When Betances comes out of the ‘pen, strikeouts are practically a given. In 2016, he boasted an amazing 15.5 strikeouts-per-nine innings. Basically, he gets the job done and he makes a lot of famous baseball players whiff.
Is it customary that a relief pitcher gets a specific song played for them upon entering a game? Maybe not, but Betances had a closing song once. Why not let him have one again?