ronharlow writesTop Five Chicago Cubs Walk-Up Songs

by Ron Harlow

The Chicago Cubs have a long list of lasts. Wins and losses aside, they were the last major league baseball team to install lights in their home ballpark. This year, they became the last to install a video replay board. This season also features a subtler addition to the list – the Cubs are the last big league team to fully allow their players to use a walk-up song.

A walk-up song is what’s played over the ballpark’s loudspeakers as the batter walks up to the plate. The home team lets each individual player choose whichever song he wants to hear just before facing a 90-mile-per-hour projectile. It can be any song and for any reason. Over the summer, the walk-up song becomes a part of a player’s identity.

The Cubs experimented with walk-up songs in 2010, but decided to stick with traditional organ music. Today, ownership is intent on modernizing Wrigley Field. The walk-up song is a modern quirk in a sport that’s reluctant to change, and creating a playlist is much less expensive and time-consuming than constructing a video board.

Here are my top five 2015 Cubs walk-up songs:

1. “No Diggity” by Blackstreet

Kyle Schwarber was three years old when this R&B classic was released. Ever since the rookie sensation was called up from the minors in June, I’ve developed a Pavlovian response to “No Diggity.” Schwarber is a phenomenal hitter, so hearing his walk-up song signals my brain that something good is about to happen.

2. “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

There is perhaps no greater buzz kill in baseball than when the pitcher comes up to bat. Because they play in the National League, Cubs pitchers must choose which song lets fans know they’re about to witness a sacrifice bunt attempt. “Purple Haze” is a clever way of announcing that Kyle Hendricks is at the plate, so it might be a good time to get up and use the trough.

3. “Young Forever” by Jay-Z

Baseball season is a long grind, and a little levity goes a long way. That’s what backup catcher David Ross contributes with his walk-up song. At 38, he’s the oldest guy on a young team. His batting average is below .200, so if he can’t get on base he can at least provide his teammates a laugh at his own expense.

4. “Calentate Girl” by Shelow Shaq

Starlin Castro has struggled at the plate this year, but he knows a good beat when he hears one. Like Castro, Shelow Shaq is a native of the Dominican Republic. I don’t know the lyrics because I don’t speak Spanish, but “Calentate Girl” will pump you up no matter what language you speak.

5. “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

Yes, this is an extremely cheesy song, but it’s Anthony Rizzo’s walk-up song, and that’s what makes it a great walk-up song. Rizzo has been the heart and soul of the lineup this year. Whatever he needs to hear to continue coming up clutch is fine by me.

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