Baseball season is officially upon us, and the Ole Miss Rebels are preparing to take on No. 1 Louisville in the first weekend of the season.
The Rebels have been practicing since last fall for this moment — crafting their pitching, hitting, fielding and baserunning. The competition has been stiff throughout spring intrasquad scrimmages, but perhaps no other competition will be closer than the fight for the best walk-up song, as it is the most crucial facet of the game.
There’s no debating that the baseball can be slow, so the perfect walk-up song is vital to the flow and momentum in Swayze field. The Daily Mississippian has used our sources to acquire the top-secret list of walk-up songs early, so we can present the first ever DM Preseason All-Walkup-Song Team.
Before we read this, it’s important to note that this list is not an opinion. Our team has carefully crafted this undisputed honor roll with an algorithm that takes nostalgia, listenability and the turn up factor, among other things, into account. It’s not up for discussion.
For the full walk-up song list, check the bottom of this page.
No. 19 Cael Baker: Pitbull – “Hotel Room Service”
If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Cael Baker during spring scrimmages, he’s the quintessential first baseman. The 6-foot, 260 pound juco transfer is one of the top hitters this spring, and it’ll be glorious seeing him walk to the batter’s box to Mr. Worldwide inviting you to the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn.
No. 11 John Rhys Plumlee: Carl Carlton – “She’s a Bad Mama Jama”
I mean, you can’t go wrong with this one — little bit of funk and a little bit of soul with just the right amount of classic upbeat. If QB1 doesn’t break out into song before an at-bat this season, I’ll be upset.
No. 28 Austin Miller: Motley Crue – “Kickstart My Heart”
A good reliever walk-up song can’t be beat. You either want a tune that will make you dance or something that will make you want to run through a wall. If you don’t know this song, give it a listen, and you’ll know which category it fits instantly.
No. 2 Connor Walsh : Baby Bash – “Suga Suga”
It doesn’t get smoother. This one’s for the left-field loungers. It’s nostalgic but still fire and fun to dance to. That’s all you can ask for.
No. 20 Zack Smith: Dire Straits – “Money for Nothing”
If this song doesn’t scream SEC sports, I don’t know what does. Think about it. It’s 75 degrees and sunny on a Saturday, Tyler Keenan just hit a two-run bomb, you’re covered in your favorite seltzer beverage and this song comes on. It doesn’t get better than that.
No. 18 Mitch Murrell: Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
What can you say about Cash that hasn’t already been said? You better watch yourself when this guy comes to the mound.
Our staff picks:
“Wipe Me Down” – Boosie Badazz
“Smokestack Lightning” – Howlin’ Wolf
“Get Up Offa That Thing” – James Brown
Full List:
No. 1 Peyton Chatagnier: -Kanye West and Kid Cudi – “4th Dimension”
No. 2 Connor Walsh: Baby Bash – “Suga Suga”
No. 3 Anthony Servideo: J.Dash – “WOP”
No. 4 Knox Loposer: Travis Scott – “Through the Late Night”
No. 8 Justin Bench: Rihanna – “Desperado”
No .9 Hayden Leatherwood: Carlton Carvalho – “Shine”
No. 10 Tyler Keenan: Wale (feat. Meek Mill & Rick Ross) – “Ambition”
No. 11 John Rhys Plumlee: Carl Carlton – “She’s a Bad Mama Jama”
No. 12 Greer Holston: Lemaitre – “Closer”
No. 13 Hayden Dunhurst: R Swift – “Awesome God”
No. 14 Trey LaFleur: Kanye West – “Amazing”
No. 16 Derek Diamond: Sublime – “Pawn Shop”
No. 17 Gunnar Hoglund: Blake Shelton – “God’s Country”
No. 18 Mitch Murrell: Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
No. 19 Cael Baker: Pitbull – “Hotel Room Service”
No. 20 Zack Smith: Dire Straits – “Money for Nothing”
No. 21 Drew Mcdaniel: Hippie Sabotage – “Trust Nobody”
No. 22 Max Cioffi – Yoshi: “Chicago’s Finest”
No. 24 Jackson Kimbrell: Makaveli – “Hail Mary”
No. 25 Tim Elko: Akon – “I’m So Paid”
No. 26 Doug Nikhazy: Foo Fighters – “The Pretender”
No. 27 Taylor Broadway: Def Leppard – “Pour Some Sugar on Me”
No. 28 Austin Miller: Motley Crue – “Kickstart My Heart”
No. 29 Braden Forsyth: Colter Wall – “Sleeping on the Blacktop”
No. 31 Benjamin Gilbert: Metallica – “Wherever I May Roam”
No. 32 Cam Fisher: The Chainsmokers – “Who Do You Love”
No. 33 Ben Van Cleve: The Smashing Pumpkins – “Cherub Rock”
No. 34 Tyler Myers: Post Malone – “I’m Gonna Be”
No. 35 Kevin Graham: Jay Z – “Public Service Announcement”
No. 38 Logan Savell: Jay Z – “Run This Town”
No. 39 Cade Sammons: Wiz Khalifa – “Medicated”
No. 43 Cole Baker: Future – “Last Breath”
No. 48 Jerrion Ealy: Drake ft. Future – “Life is Good”
No. 55 Wes Burton: Hermitude (feat. Big K.R.I.T., Mataya, and Young Tapz) – “The Buzz”
