Boston Red Sox Player Music Showcase

My MLB Player Music Special I've done over the last 6 weeks wraps up today with a look at the walk-up songs of last year's World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. The team enjoyed a storybook and unimaginable season last year, finishing 97-65 and winning the AL East handily, storming through the Tampa Bay Rays and an epic 6 game series over the heavily favored Detroit Tigers, en route to clinching a World Series Championship at Fenway Park for the first time in 95 and their 3rd championship in the last 10 years. The team has defined 'Boston Strong' in more ways than one over the past year with their unity present after the Boston Marathon bombings, and lasting well throughout the duration of the season. The team made some key acquisitions in the offseason with the addition of Grady Sizemore and A.J. Pierzynski to complement the departures and bolster the team's defense quite a bit as well. Here is a look at what the Champs have up their sleeve in terms of their walk up music selections:

AJ Pierzynski: Audioslave - Set It Off

The former White Sox and Rangers backstop has this indelible Audioslave number as his entrance music. Known as a cantankerous figure to some, AJ comes on board to take over the catching position after the loss of Saltalamacchia in the offseason, but has a terrific defensive mindset and possesses some strong pop on the offensive side of the ball and can be depended upon when the going gets tough. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with the chemistry in the clubhouse.

Andrew Miller: Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down

The beautifully bearded setup man has this gritty Johnny Cash number as his walk up music. Hampered by a foot injury last season, Miller Time is back and ready to help contribute to his cause with his skinny frame helping deliver some devastating pitches to the opposing offense and heading back to the dugout with his outstanding beard waving in the midst.

Clay Buchholz: Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

The mop topped Buchholz is back with this song from the Canadian bred band as his entrance music. With his unfortunate shoulder injury last year that cost him 3 months of playing time, Buch Wild is ready for a full seasons of work and ready to resume the level of success he had towards the end of last year where he was dominant as he can be, showing flashes of his 2007 success.

Daniel Nava: Andy Mineo - The Saints

The slick fielding Nava brings some Christian hip hop into the mix with this choice walk up song. Nava is notable for hitting a grand slam in his first at-bat on the very first pitch he saw back in 2010 in a game against the Phillies, and has been depended upon countless times to deliver in the clutch when needed with a  muscular frame and a good looking face making him a hot commodity.

David Ortiz: Jay-Z f/ Rick Ross - Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit

Last year's World Series MVP has this intense hip-hop track from Jay-Z as his walk up music. Regarded as one of the best designated hitters to play the game, Big Papi has a aggressive and unrelenting nature while at the plate. Bound to hit the ball out of Fenway at any given time, this song puts opposing pitchers on notice and makes them shiver in their shoes with this nerve rattling track here.

Dustin Pedroia: Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E.

Pedey has his head in the game with this classic Dre and Snoop track right here when he comes up to the plate. The scrappy second basemen exemplifies the word 'underdog' with his short stature throwing people for a loop, but don't you dare call him little as he has exquisite base running skills and premiere defensive abilities that make him the premiere 2nd baseman in the game today. Who's little now?

Felix Doubront: Marc Anthony - Vivir Mi Vida

The Venezuelan born pitcher has a homage to this Latin roots with this walk up song choice. Felix has come up through the reins of the farm system and helped the team out in the back end of the bullpen before being transitioned into a starter a couple of years back. With a devastating curveball and change up, and with all due respect to Felix Hernandez out in Seattle, we have our own King Felix right here in Boston.  

Jake Peavy: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Dixie/Sweet Home Alabama (Live)

The live version of this classic track from the southern rock pioneers makes Jake Peavy feel right at home en route to the pitching mound. With a up and down pattern over the last few years, Peavy does everything he can to stay in the game for as long as possible, and is very stubborn in being removed from the game and will do everything in his power to prove his manager's trust.

Jon Lester: Jason Aldean - I Use What I Got

The ace of the pitching staff has this neat Jason Aldean number as his walk out music. Stellar in the postseason last year, Lester proved his dominance and can be depended upon to go 7-8 innings in each of his starts, and has crisp delivery and sky high velocity that has made him "use what he's got" to shut down the opposition.

Jonny Gomes: Dropkick Murphys - The Boys Are Back

The former Oakland A has a homage to the local Irish rockers as his walk up music. Gomes delivered a clutch 3 run homer in last year's World Series that helped galvanize the team and power the offense to a victory a few days after that, and has his own unique and dynamic personality that is representative of his California roots that has helped make him a fan favorite here in Beantown.

Koji Uehara: Darude - Sandstorm

Our high-five loving closer has this classic dance track as his entrance music. Koji was a hero in last year's postseason, delivering save after save and having a electric and out there personality that has him impossible not to love, and hard to believe that he's 37 years of age and still delivering at such a high level of consistency.

Mike Carp: Sublime - Badfish

This track from the Long Beach bred band is also home to our freshwater beard styled first baseman/left fielder. The track gives him a much needed confidence boost when up at the plate, and is heavily depended upon to get that extra run in the clutch. A great guy to have sitting on your bench waiting to get into the game.

Mike Napoli: Drake f/ 2 Chainz & Big Sean - All Me

Words can't accurately describe my intense love for this part wolf-man. All I can say is that beard is beyond beautiful and magnificent beyond any stretch of the universe, and he is bound to get that beard tugged by his teammates afterwards and walk around shirtless in the clubhouse like he owns the place much like after last year's World Series parade. He's probably the best looking man I've ever seen in my lifetime and oh yeah, he's a pretty awesome ballplayer too!

Shane Victorino: Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

Shane'o has this legendary Bob Marley track as his personal walk up song. A fan favorite last year, this song was sung in unison by the crowd that was quite honestly the most beautiful thing I've ever heard sung from the Fenway faithful, much better than Sweet Caroline and gives our wide ranging right fielder the ability to be always chirping while up at the plate, while providing some humorous and entertaining antics that show why he is one of the most versatile and fun loving players on the team.

Will Middlebrooks: Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood

Our third baseman has this exquisite Stevie Ray Vaughan track as his entrance song. His skills have fallen off sharply in recent memory, but Will is sticking through it and the team has faith in him that his abilities will present itself in due time and return to the levels they once were at when he started out a couple of years back.

Xander Bogaerts: Snoop Dogg f/ Pharrell - Beautiful

The Aruban shortstop has this Snoop track from a while back as his walk up song selection. One of the only players in MLB with the honor of being knighted, Xander has been one of the top rated prospects in the Sox farm system for some time now, and has an innate ability of knowing where the ball is at all times and possess some dazzling skills with the bat while up at the plate. He is constantly honing and improving his craft and is always looking at ways to get better as well.

The Sox have a great team heading into this year, and there is no way that they can exactly duplicate the magic that they displayed the year prior, but they can certainly attempt to do so and are most definitely in contention for a playoff spot at the end of the season with the possibility of defending their World Series title. It's entirely up to them what they intend to do with it and they clearly have a great team chemistry to help in that quest.

San Francisco Giants Player Music Special

Today's MLB Player Music Special takes us to the city by the bay otherwise known as San Francisco, home of the Giants. These guys have been very near and dear to my heart for several years and have been following them faithfully since 2008. My heart totally skips a beat every time I think of them and just seeing AT&T Park on TV and the boats lined up in McCovey Cove makes me feel like I'm in heaven. The team has been one of the top teams in baseball in the 2010's, winning 2 World Series Championships in '10 and '12, with a premiere pitching staff consisting of Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and 2 time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. With former NL MVP Buster Posey behind the plate, the team is locked and loaded for this year with the acquisitions of Michael Morse and Tim Hudson designed to stock up the lineup a bit. Here is the music that can be heard on the speakers of the park with the players personal walk up song choices:

Angel Pagan: Calle 13 - Baile De Los Pobres

The center fielder has some Latin flavored tunes in honor of his heritage as his walk up song choice. Angel was tremendous during the Giants 2012 postseason run, hitting leadoff in most of those games and being instrumental in their eventual World Series victory over the Tigers. With amazing defensive skills and a strong offensive showing at the plate, Pagan is the centerpiece of the Giants lineup and will continue to be for some time if he remains healthy.

Brandon Belt: Jay-Z - 99 Problems

The first baseman also affectionately known as "The Giraffe" has this gritty Jay-Z track and his walk up music. Belt has been gradually improving his offensive mindset at the plate, while playing a heck of a game at first base as well. I've seen Brandon come up from the very beginning, and has helped his team in more ways than one with his relentless pursuit of becoming a great major league first baseman.

Brandon Crawford: J. Cole - God's Gift

Another Brandon has some hip-hop flavor with his walk up song selection. This shaggy haired shortstop plays a great defensive game, diving right into the oncoming traffic of baseballs hit in his general direction, grabbing them down each and every time he gets it in his glove. His offensive numbers continue to improve each year and while not matching those of his fellow teammates, he knows where his strengths are and what his role is.

Buster Posey: Brantley Gilbert - Hell On Wheels

The southern charm of the catcher Posey is well represented in this Southern fried nugget right here. The Georgia native has been a fan favorite ever since arriving in 2010, helping his team win the World Series that year over the Rangers, and continually puts up terrific numbers year after year. A leg injury wiped out most of his 2011 season, but he returned the following year and won the NL MVP along with his 2nd World Series ring. Buster is the model player and a exemplary gentleman.

Hunter Pence: Justin Moore - Beer Time

The Houston, TX native and right fielder has this country number as his personal warm up track. Also known as "The Reverend", a nickname he earned during the Giants comeback victory over the Reds in the 2012 NLDS with his inspirational and motivating speech, Hunter is a true leader and carries the team on his shoulders night in and night out. With his bulbous eyes and flair for the dramatic, Pence is the player that fans will instantly love.

Madison Bumgarner: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man

MadBum has some classic rock from the south in the form of Lynyrd Skynyrd as his entrance music. Bumgarner has been an integral part of the Giants rotation for a few years now, and has a tremendous ability to pitch deep into ballgames and throw hitters off balance with his extensive pitch arsenal. His humble and laid-back demeanor has made him a huge inspiration to up and coming athletes and myself included.

Ryan Vogelsong: Alter Bridge - Metalingus

Vogey has this 'song' as his entrance tune heading out to the mound. Ryan has had a fascinating journey en route to the major leagues, first pitching for the Giants in 2000, but he left and went to the Pirates and also pitched overseas in Japan as well. Returning to San Fran in 2011, he earned himself a spot in the rotation where he's been ever since, constantly honing in on his skills and reevaluating his game time and time again.

Sergio Romo: Banda MS - El Machon

The ever vibrant closer has some Latino flavor to add to his game with this entrance song choice. Romo took over the closing duties full time last year after the departure of another bearded closer, Brian Wilson. Sergio knows how to keep things loose and limber, and is ready to charge out of the gate when his time on the mound comes, and throws some serious heat to earn the save and bring his team to victory countless times.

The Giants are a team that I'll always have on their back, both figuratively and literally. San Francisco is #1 on the list of places I would like to visit, and I plan on making it my mission to getting out to AT&T Park this year and seeing where the champs play and where the hearts of true players and unbridled baseball enthusiasm reside.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Music Choices

Today's edition of my MLB Player Music Special belongs to one of the oldest teams in existence, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Founded in 1891, they were one of the most beloved and successful teams of the era starting out, but have failed to generate anything exciting in the Burgh, failing to make the playoffs for 20 years until last year, when they made it to the postseason and reignited fan interest that had been dormant for quite some time. With a cavalcade of players including Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker, the Pirates are looking to build upon the success that they achieved last year. Here is what some of the players are moving and grooving to on their playlists:

Andrew McCutchen: TNIGHT - Higher Ground

The dreadlock shone outfielder has this eclectic track as his walk up song of choice. Buoyed with outstanding offensive skills and a stretched out arm that can grab fast falling baseballs with remarkable accuracy, McCutch has generated an intense amount of buzz and excitement in the area with his laid back and relaxed demeanor giving the Pirates a fighting chance each and every night at PNC Park.

Clint Barmes: Journey - Don't Stop Believing

The dynamic shortstop has this somewhat of a cliche music choice as his walk up song. The former Rockie has reasonable skills as a defender, jumping at every baseball that is hit in his general direction to knock out down and generate a positive result in the form of an out. His offensive skills are continually improving at the very moment, and is looking to contribute in any way he can for the upcoming season.

Jason Grilli: Pearl Jam - Whipping

The dynamic closer known as "The Grill" chose this Pearl jam track as his entrance song. The team has had a revolving door of closers the last few years and had a reliable one in the form of Joel Hanarahan before he went to the Red Sox before suffering a season ending injury there. The new closer Grilli has generated some serious shut down skills and has kept his team in the thrill of victory multiple times night in and night out.

Mark Melancon: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

The former Red Sox setup man has this blaring AC/DC track as his entrance music. Mark has had some rough times in his career to say the least, usually bearing the brunt of his mistakes due to pitch locations being left too far out in front of the plate, but has slowly started to repair his deficiencies that has helped avoid being pulled out of the game too quickly and remaining in to help his team's cause.

Neil Walker: Wiz Khalifa - Work Hard, Play Hard

Pittsburgh's native son has this track from the hometown rapper behind the song "Black and Yellow". The popular second baseman has risen to the top of the game with his unique defensive skills on display each night, while also showing incredible plate discipline along with some outstanding offensive power that helped his team win 94 games last year en route to a postseason berth.

Pedro Alvarez: The Notorious BIG - Juicy

The third baseman has this excellent 90's throwback hip-hop track as his walk up song. With sharp defensive skills and clutch hits spread about here and there have made Pedro a hot commodity in the Steel City, and has a remarkable poise to him that allows him to adapt to anything thrown his way, making him a jack of all trades in the process.

Travis Snider: Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

The former Blue Jay has some serious grunge flavor to add with one of the most influential songs of the 90's right here. Snider has been up and down the last few years, have spurts of progress here and there, but has started to right the ship and sharpen up his game a bit with improved defensive capabilities and sharp increases in offensive numbers that has made me a clutch player that can be depended on when the opportunity arises.

I have yet to visit the city of Pittsburgh, but I plan on stopping by sometime in the near future and attend a ball game at PNC Park. This city definitely has a special magic with its historical roots in baseball and the steel industry, and I look forward to seeing what the city by the Three Rivers has to offer me.

St. Louis Cardinals Music Picks

Today's MLB Player Music Special takes us to Busch Stadium, home of last year's National League champion, the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was in fine form last year in the postseason, rolling over the Pirates and Dodgers en route to their second trip to the World Series in 3 years, only to fall at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in 6 games. The team is largely unchanged from last year, despite the loss of Carlos Beltran, the team has retained their chemistry and their nonstop revolving door of talent that just never seems to stop impressing the fans and the Cardinals organization alike. Here is a look at their musical choices:

Adam Wainwright: Alabama - Song of The South

The ace of the staff Wainwright has this song representative of his Southern roots with this country tinged track. The Georgia native has been a mainstay in the starting rotation for the Cards for a few years now, and possessing a dazzling display of fastballs and cutters that are designed to explode on impact on hitters, while having the ability to stay in the game for 7-8 innings each outing. A fierce competitor on the mound but a humble and laid-back guy off the mound.

Daniel Descalso: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California

The infielder has this tune from the Chili Peppers, who are also from the Golden State where he has his roots implanted as well. With a finely tuned bat and a gifted glove, Descalso can be depended on each time his name comes up in the lineup and possess a high aptitude for getting to a pitcher and hitting those balls on contact when they come over in the middle of the plate.

Jason Motte: Green Day - Brain Stew

This bearded reliever who also spent time as a closer is in fine form with this classic Green Day tune. Motte, who missed most of last year due to Tommy John surgery and was unable to participate in the postseason, is fully healed and ready to contribute to his team any way he can with his strong pitching arm ready to elevate his team to victories night after night.

 Jon Jay: Pitbull - Born and Raised

The Miami bred Jay has the Latin flavored sounds of Pitbull as his walk up track. Jay possess a strong bat and fiery glove, as evidenced during last year's postseason and is a tremendous athlete with his keen eyes and persistent offense on display each time he goes up to the plate, and this song helps feel loose and limber while doing just that.

Lance Lynn: Hank Williams Jr. - Country Boy Can Survive

This strong starter has the sounds of none other than Hank Williams Jr. to walk out to on the mound. Lynn has been pitching for the Cardinals since 2011, and has anchored a strong pitching staff that is one of the model staffs in all of baseball with their ability to get strong starts out of each of their pitchers, while also remaining relatively healthy along the way, something which is very difficult to do.

 Matt Holliday: Jim Johnston - WWE: Crank It Up (Big Show)

The left fielder Holliday has some wrestling music courtesy of Big Show as his entrance music. Currently signed with the club on a 7-year, $120 million deal, Holliday is a highly skilled outfielder, reeling in balls that venture out too far near the warning track that he can deal with at ease. At the plate, he is a highly skilled offensive player with strong vision that allows him to see the pitch he wants and quickly obliterate it.

Peter Bourjos: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E.

The former Angel has this Dre and Snoop hit from years ago as his entrance song. The center fielder is currently getting acclimated with his new club, and has greatly improved his accuracy and range to fit the depths of Busch Stadium so that he knows when to stop and size up the ball properly so that the out can be recorded.

 Shelby Miller: Macklemore - Can't Hold Us

This young gun has this Macklemore track as his song in his journey to the mound. At just 23 years of age, Shelby has made an indelible impression on the minds of Cardinals fans with his beautiful arm and plentiful pitch selection a mind boggling gem, and has consistently garnered high praise for his strong work ethic and humble charm making an impression on everyone in St. Louis.

Yadier Molina: Wisin Y Yandel - Sigan Ballando

The backstop has this Latin track as his walk up tune of choice. Coming from a family of catchers, Yadier has tremendous pitch calling capabilities and knows when to stay on the same page with catchers and communicate effectively so that they know what the plan of attack is each and every time. With a strong offensive state of mind at the plate, Yadier is the one you can always depend on each time he comes up to bat.

I totally respect the Cardinal organization for their ability to constantly churn out talent at an impeccable rate. Much like the Red Sox farm system, they have an ability to know when certain players are ready to move on the big leagues and hold onto them for a length of time, and usually stay a Cardinal for life much like the players that came in before them.

Washington Nationals Player Music Overview

Continuing my ongoing MLB Player Music Review with a look at the team occupying the nation's capital, the Washington Nationals! The team has been in existence since 2004, and before that the city didn't have a baseball team since the Washington Senators of the 1930's. The team is locked and loaded and ready to taste some dreams of the postseason magic they conjured up in 2012, when they captured the NL East crown, but lost in the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals. Here is a look at what the players enjoying listening to on their way out to the plate:

Adam LaRoche: Jason Aldean - My Kind of Party

The first baseman has some country flavor to add to the mix with this Jason Aldean number. At 34 years of age, Jason is still Mr. Dependable with his ability to grind out at bast with ease, usually being rewarded with a clutch hit or two here and there that can be the deciding run in some cases. This song ensures that his mission comes to fruition at the plate each and every time.

Bryce Harper: Moby - Flower

The most hyped prospect in recent memory has this Moby track as his personal walk up song of choice. Having a terrific year last year, Harper is looking to improve even more this year, and has become a multi faceted players with terrific offensive numbers and mind boggling defensive skills in the outfield. With a penchant for wearing eye black extravagantly, Bryce is a hitter to be feared but a presence to be loved in the clubhouse.

Danny Espinosa: Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

The second base phenom has some seriously awesome music taste with this Cage The Elephant tune from a few years back. With amazing defensive metrics and outstanding offensive skills at the plate, Danny always looks for ways ti improve his game each and every time at the plate, and this song helps him do just that.

Jayson Werth: Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London

The majestic beard of Jayson Werth is in full force with this appropriately named tune by Warren Zevon. The former Phillie signed a 7 year, $126 million contract to join the Nats a few years ago, and has been a fan favorite just like he was in Philly with his greatly improved offensive skills and his clutch defense making him all the worthwhile. Oh yeah, plus his beard is pretty frickin awesome too!

Ryan Mattheus: Katy Perry - Firework

This relief pitcher for the Nats uses this Katy Perry number as his entrance song of choice. A relative unknown to many, Mattheus has a impressive repertoire consisting of a sinker and four seam fastball clocking in the mid-90's, with an ability to devastate opposing hitters on impact and is looking to get better year after year.

Ryan Zimmerman: Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)

The longtime third baseman has this recent Fall Out Boy hit as his entrance music. With a terrific offensive mindset at the plate and a great defensive presence as well, Zimmerman is a constant presence in the Nats lineup and is continually regarded as a elite presence in the lineup that can be depended upon day in and day out.

 Stephen Strasburg: The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

The young ace of the pitching staff has some indie credibility that makes me love him even more with this popular White Stripes hit. The chiseled good looks of Strasburg are just on the surface, but with a veracious pitch speed nearing 100 mph and a windup that is a thing of beauty, Strasburg has become the must see player in baseball and is the stud that kids look up to and the model player young athletes aspire to be.

Tyler Clippard: Fugees - Ready or Not

The strong reliever for the Nats sports this classic Fugees number as his personal entrance song. With glasses that are reminiscent of the ones worn by Charlie Sheen in "Major League", Clippard sports a devastating pitch arsenal that regularly clocks in the 90's, and can be depended on to get a much needed out when the opportunity necessitates it. A strong arm to have in the back end of the bullpen.

The Nationals are a team chock full of young talent, most importantly Harper and Strasburg who are in my opinion, the future of the franchise and players that need to be locked into long term deals to stay in Washington for the forseeable future. I see great things on the horizon for them this year, and they have a strong chance to make it to the postseason come October.