'Bama Baseball and Music

Walk out songs can be chosen for a variety of reasons, from a play on words, like former outfielder Taylor "Dugie" Dugas, "Teach me how to Dougie" by Cali Swag District, to the obvious, former 'Bama pitcher Nathan "Peanut" Kilcrease, all 5 foot 5 inches of him, "It's all right to be little bitty" by Alan Jackson.

Former outfielder Alex Kubal was known for his speed so he favorited "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, which was also a favorite song of his dad. Songs can change depending on how things are going. Former outfielder Emeel Salem chose songs that "made hime feel cocky", such as "Stack my flow" by Young Jeezy. However if he felt a slump coming on he would change to the Alabama fight song. As a Tampa Ray farm hand he was even known to use "If I was your boyfriend" by Justin Beiber. Another former outfielder Morrow Thomley used "Deliverance" by Bubba Sparxx because he "liked the beginning and the lyrics".

Among current players some choose songs because "it reminds me of my hometown" like outfielder Andrew Miller's choice "Cruise" by Florida-Georgia Line. Others pick based on things from child hood. Catcher Brett Booth's song is "Champ" by Nelly because of the lyrics "ever since I was a kid,I've been dreaming of this" paralleling his dream as a child of playing for the Crimson Tide.

Others like outfield Ben Moore ("I Believe In a Thing Called Love",by The Darkness) wants to "break the mold of a typical walk out song, and have something that the crowd would like." Relief pitcher Ray Castillo picked 'Lil Wayne's "Fireman" because "it gets me pumped", (and a relief pitcher is called a fireman). Outfielder Georgie Salem goes old school with AC/DC's iconic Hell's Bell's because "it gets me fired up, and I feel it intimidates the pitcher to some extent." Freshman infield Daniel Cucjen likes "Take it to da House" by Trick Daddy because it "makes me feel groovy and it has an old school feel to it." Pitcher Taylor Guilbeau likes "Ruff Ryders Anthem" by DMX because "its old school, I grew up on it and I like his voice."

First baseman Austen Smith reason for choosing Chief Keef's "Love Sosa" is that "it makes me feel like a bad ass." Pitcher Taylor Wolfe picked "Shake me like a Monkey" by The Dave Matthews Band because "it is one of my favorite songs, and also has clean enough lyrics to play at the ballpark." Fellow pitcher Jake Hubbard uses "Sail" by awolnation because he generally comes into pitch in high pressure situations and the song calms him down. Justin Kamplain's choice is "My Moment" by DJ Drama because of the verse in the song that talks about the one moment, and that mirrors his mind set when he comes in to pitch.

Some players, like shortstop Mikey White and third baseman Kenny Roberts reflect back to their younger days. White's song is "Voo Doo Child" by Jimi Hendrix, which his family helped choose for him and he used in high school. (Where it clearly worked,as he is the reigning Mr Baseball in the state of Alabama.) Roberts leans to "Dey Know" by Shawty Lo, because "I used in high school, and it gets me going." Freshman infielder Kyle Overstreet, like former shortstop and current Colorado Rockie Josh Rutledge, walks out to "Rock Star" by R. Kelley. Here is hoping that it propels him to the same success. Pitcher Jon Keller gets going to "Money for Nothing" by Cheap Trick and pitcher Tucker Hawley favors "Imagine Dragon" by Radioactive.

You would think baseball related topics such as "Put me in Coach" by John Fogerty or "The baseball song" by Corey Smith would be heard more often. However as you can see players choose songs for a myriad of different reasons, weather the fans or familiar with the song or not. Listen for a phrase or lyric that might give a little glimpse of a players personality. Walk out songs are one of the many things that makes baseball such a wonderful game, and leads to a fan friendly environment. You can see the players, feel the emotion and in general be a part of the action much more than in other sports. Baseball Fever- Catch It !

Roll Tide Ya'll

Roger