Baseball is a game of tradition. The 7th-inning stretch brings fans to their feet, but peanuts and cracker jacks aren’t the reason they stay standing. So, what makes a stadium go absolutely nuts? Maybe it’s the first chimes of “Hells Bells” in the bottom of the 9th inning, or perhaps Slash’s electric guitar solo to open up a game. The MLB has seen its fair share of iconic walk-ups, and some pitchers will forever be associated with their entrances.
Mariano Rivera- “Enter Sandman”
Imagine this: the Yankees have a one-run lead going into the bottom of the 9th in the Bronx. The speakers blast the guitar riff of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and the stadium erupts. Not a single person is sitting down. Mariano Rivera begins his jog from the outfield to the pitcher’s mound, and everyone knows the game is as good as over for the other team. Rivera’s Metallica walk-up is one of the most iconic of all time and for a good reason. Other than the fact that the song is a rock classic, its meaning is very fitting for Rivera’s entrance. The title, ‘Enter Sandman’ refers to a mythical creature who gives children nightmares. As one of the most feared closing pitchers in the league, Rivera knew how to put the other team to sleep.
Trevor Hoffman- “Hells Bells”
Trevor Hoffman spent most of his career as a closer for the San Diego Padres. With his wicked fastball, he was nearly unhittable, totaling 601 saves over 15 years in the league. But arguably more important than that, he had one of the best walk-ups in all of baseball. All hope for the hitting team was extinguished as soon as they heard the distinctive clock chimes of AC DC’s “Hells Bells”. His iconic entrance was nothing short of chilling and the future Hall of Famer was sure good at giving batters hell.
Edwin Diaz- “Narcos”
One of the more recent phenoms of pitching entrances is Edwin Diaz and his walkup to “Narcos”. The story began in Seattle when Diaz used the song as his walkout with the Mariners in 2018. After heading to the Mets, Timmy Trumpet performed the song live for Diaz as he took his place on the mound in New York. The heat-throwing closer continues to electrify Queens with his unique entrance, one that he will forever be associated with.
Randy Johnson- “Welcome to the Jungle”
80s rock fans are especially fond of this next one. Randy Johnson made his way through the league as a starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants. His notorious entrance was a classic– Guns n’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”. Taking warm-up pitches to Slash’s electric guitar was certainly a thrilling way to start a game.
