Philadelphia Phillies Player Music Overview

Today on my MLB Player Music Recap, we head down to the City of Brotherly Love, otherwise known as Philadelphia, PA where the beloved Philadelphia Phillies reside. One of the oldest clubs in existence founded way back in 1883, the team is a description of the lifeblood of the city and its historical roots that go way back to America's beginnings. The team has had its share of struggles the last few years, and recently hired a new manager behind the helm none other than Ryne Sandberg, who is looking for none other than the team to return to its winning ways that was first exemplified when they won the World Series back in 2008 over the Tampa Bay Rays. Here is a look at what the team have going on in their walk up song choices:

Carlos Ruiz: Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

This staple heard at countless stadiums throughout the country is the walk up song of choice of the catcher Carlos Ruiz. With fine defensive skills behind the plate and clutch walk off homeruns when needed, Ruiz helps the pitching staff figure out a gameplan to attack the hitting lineup and does it in fine Phillies fashion as well.

Chase Utley: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

This Led Zep classic is the song choice of the longtime 2nd baseman Utley. Chase, who is now 35 years of age, has had a few medical surgeries over the last couple of years to repair the wear and tear baseball has had on his body, but he is now fully healed and ready to deliver in ways that the Philliy faithful can rejoice over.

Cliff Lee: Ted Nugent - Stranglehold

This classic most remembered by many as appearing on the soundtrack to "Dazed and Confused" is the entrance song for the team's ace, Cliff Lee. Having pitched for countless teams over the years, Lee possess a devastating pitch menu, and can go deep into ballgames when needed and is the model of consistency by his teammates and his abilities are marveled by at by fans and baseball in general.

Cole Hamels: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

This hard rocker from the Australian legends is the song choice of another one of the Phillies staff aces. Best known as the 2008 World Series MVP, Hamels has been a fan favorite in Philadelphia ever since his arrival with his incredible pitch arsenal that can whiff opposing hitters in a heartbeat, all while possessing extremely killer good looks to boot.

Jimmy Rollins: Chris Brown - Fine China

The veteran shortstop has this Chris Brown number as his walk up song selection. With blazing speed on the basepaths, Rollins is a force to be reckoned with his base stealing abilities in full force, and his timely hits here and there provide the offense it can muster against locked and loaded lineups in the National League.

Jonathan Papelbon: Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls

The former closer for the Red Sox has this hard rocking number from Metallica as his entrance song. Much like he did back in Boston when he walked out to Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" Pap is singing his own tune in Philadelphia, and when he is counted on to protect the lead, you know he will throw everything he can muster right at the hitters and send everyone home happy.

Kevin Frandsen: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh)

This infielder has Red Hot Chili peppers thrown into the mix with this tasty number here. The California native was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played for them as well, but he is now with the Phllies as a utility infelder and is depended upon to deliver timely and clutch hits when the opportunity presents itself, and make some spectacular catches as he sees fit.

Kyle Kendrick: Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

This song has proved to be overwhelmingly popular with baseball players, and is the favorite of this starting pitcher as his walk up song. Kendrick is known for throwing a considerable amount of sinkerballers that rapidly fall and allow the hitter to swing out of the zone, but he also possesses the ability to throw changeups and cutters as well that are equally as effective.

Ryan Howard: Tyga - Molly

This groove laden hip-hop track is the favorite of the star first baseman Ryan Howard. The big fella is recovering from a nasty injury he suffered on the last at bat in the 2011 NLDS when he tore his ACL while running to first base. He missed a great deal of the following season as well, but he has learned to move past that and continue to blast monster homeruns throughout Citizens Bank Park and at stadiums across the country.

I've always had an eye and affinity for the Phillies for some reason, and I know my fellow musician friends in Philly will grow to appreciate this as they have alot in common with Boston than most people realize, a historical connection and fondness for our baseball teams that allows us to bond together and become part of the general fabric around us.