Not only did the Cubs exceed expectations last year with their success on the field, they were also surprisingly fun for their walk-up songs. Anchored by Starlin Castro’s pick of Omega’s “Ando En La Versace,” which made Wrigley Field and the team clap along every time, the whole roster stepped up with great song selections that were the envy of every summer playlist. RedEye ranked last year’s playoff roster, but with all the new faces on the team, it’s time to revisit our choices.
Special thanks to Cubs public relations and social media manager Kevin Saghy for providing the list of walk-up songs to RedEye.
(If you’re curious, here’s the 2016 White Sox roster ranked by walk-up song.)
25. Ben Zobrist (No. 18, infielder)
Julianna Zobrist — “Behind Me”
OK. I get it, Ben: You want to score points back home by picking a song by your wife. Cool. Not every player gets to have a spouse with a pop career. I should note that the reason this ranking is so low is because it’s a cheesy move and thus a sort of disqualification. Nothing to do with the song, which is fine. But come on, man.
24. Kris Bryant (No. 17, infielder)
Donnis — “Gone”
Bryant has been one of my favorite members of the Cubs organization since I first heard of him mashing taters in the minor leagues. That said, I also hate, hate, hate this song. For some reason its hook is nails on a chalkboard to me, and it reminds me of all the terrible parties I went to in college when this was popular. I feel so conflicted.
23. Jon Lester (No. 34, pitcher)
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Jason Aldean — “Gonna Know We Were Here”
Lester last year had some solid stuff on the mound and also two Jason Aldean songs. This year, he’s keeping the good pitches and trading his Aldean for more Aldean. I don’t like Aldean; maybe it’s because of his statements about women in country music sounding the same. However, I do think Lester should check out the most recent Sturgill Simpson record. He’d like it.
22. Matt Szczur (No. 20, outfielder)
X Ambassadors — “Renegades”
I don’t think I’ve ever been more aggressively ambivalent about a song. But I will say that I absolutely have loved Szczur’s playing so far this year.
21. Javier Baez (No. 9, infielder)
Pusho feat. Daddy Yankee — “Soy un Problema (Remix)”
Same as last year: “I [still] can’t decide if I’m a \\_(¿)_/ , an \\( degrees _ degrees )/ or even an \\( degrees _o)/ about this one.”
20. Hector Rondon (No. 56, pitcher)
Chino y Nacho — “Tu Me Quemas”
It’s unclear whether he’s using the techno remix from last year. The original is so much better.
19. Trevor Cahill (No. 53, pitcher)
Limp Bizkit and Method Man — “N 2 Gether Now”
Last year I made fun of Cahill for picking a Muse song, and now he’s gone ahead and chosen Limp Bizkit. What a world! I actually like this one, though.
18. Travis Wood (No. 37, pitcher)
Justin Moore — “How I Got To Be This Way”
He had this song last year, and it still fits his aura perfectly. I couldn’t imagine him listening to anything else. Keep on trucking, Travis.
17. Adam Warren (No. 43, pitcher)
Def Leppard — “Pour Some Sugar On Me”
This is an obvious pick, but it’s obvious for a reason.
16. Neil Ramirez (No. 54, pitcher)
Sublime — “What I Got”
It’s a little late, but I would like to wish Ramirez a happy 4/20.
15. Justin Grimm (No. 52, pitcher)
Flo Rida feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas — “G.D.F.R.”
Poison — “Nothin’ But A Good Time”
Judging by both Flo Rida and Poison on his list, I’m willing to wager Grimm likes to party. Me too, Justin. Me too.
14. Jake Arrieta (No. 49, pitcher)
Ghostland Observatory — “Glitter”
Arrieta, the best pitcher I’ve ever seen throw in person, had a knockout last year with Major Lazer and MO’s “Lean On,” but now he’s regressed a bit with a 2010 anthem that works better in the stadium than it does as a song.
13. Miguel Montero (No. 47, catcher)
Ricky Martin — “La Mordidita”
Montero wins for most improved player, going from a paltry 25th last year to a gentleman’s 13th. Shout-out to Ricky Martin.
12. Pedro Strop (No. 46, pitcher)
El Alfa — “No Hay Forma”
Wait, I lied. Strop wins. What a run to go from last place to a solid 12th this year. Oh my God. Listen to this and watch the video. I have no idea who Dominican artist El Alfa is, but judging by this track, which is a wild ride from start to finish, he has to have a sense of humor. Thank you, Pedro Strop, for introducing me to this madness.
11. John Lackey (No. 41, pitcher)
Garth Brooks — “Friends In Low Places”
Perfect for clinking your beer to no one in particular and slurring the chorus. But this is baseball, and not so surprisingly, this song works perfectly there too.
10. Addison Russell (No. 27, infielder)
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Flo Rida — “Who’s With Me”
Who knew Flo Rida could go country? That slide guitar riff feels like it was made for a baseball stadium.
9. Jason Hammel (No. 39, pitcher)
Pearl Jam — “Alive”
Like I mentioned last year, there’s no way I’m ranking No. 1 Cubs fan Eddie Vedder low on this list.
8. Kyle Hendricks (No. 28, pitcher)
Jimi Hendrix — “Purple Haze”
Hendricks loves Hendrix.
7. Clayton Richard (No. 33, pitcher)
T.I. — “Bring Em Out”
Dang. I love this song.
6. David Ross (No. 3, catcher)
Jay Z — “Young Forever”
I’ve seen Ross take countless at-bats with Alphaville’s “Forever Young” and now this Jay Z flip. It’s still funny.
5. Jorge Soler (No. 68, outfielder)
Future — “Wicked”
Spoilers for what’s to follow, but RedEye is a pro-Future organization.
4. Tommy La Stella (No. 2, infielder)
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)”
Utility man La Stella provides a clinic here in how to pick a classic, old-school song that somehow works as well as Future and Drake as a walk-up song.
3. Jason Heyward (No. 22, outfielder)
Mike Will Made It feat. Future, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne — “Buy The World”
Drake — “Right Hand”
Future — “Ain’t No Time”
Welcome to Chicago, Jason. We like your defense and your taste in music.
2. Anthony Rizzo (No. 44, infielder)
Martin Solveig and GTA — “Intoxicated”
Desiigner — “Panda”
Brett Eldredge — “Drunk On Your Love”
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch — “Good Vibrations”
Being the de facto face of the franchise, Rizzo has more walk-up songs than anyone. Good thing he knows the value of a crowd-pleasing hit. In fact, he’s as good at picking music as he is at being a first baseman. On top of his Starlin Castro tribute during his first home at-bat of the season (a brilliant move), he’s covering all the bases with dance music, Mark Wahlberg, hip-hop and some country.
1. Dexter Fowler (No. 24, outfielder)
Drake and Future — “Jumpman”
Young Greatness — “Moolah”
Since he joined the Cubs, it’s clear Fowler has the best taste in hip-hop out of any other player on the roster. Ask my section at Wrigley, because I’m always chair-dancing to these picks.
@joshhterry | [email protected]
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