Suggestions for Pirates intro music
There are some fantastic reasons to write a column. Whether raising awareness about an important issue, remembering a historic event whose anniversary corresponds to a print date or voicing concerns about a prominent figure or organization, a column is a place where the writer can truly pour out his or her heart on the printed page.
This is not one of those columns.
Rather, with opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates just around the corner, I thought I would play the role of sound guy at PNC Park and come up with some new intro music for the Buccos. I guess this would also be my idea of what the starting lineup could look like for 2017, but that’s more of a secondary function.
Without further ado …
Second baseman Adam Frazier – “Hey Bulldog” By the Beatles.
Frazier not only went to Mississippi State University, the home of the Bulldogs, but he grew up in Athens, Georgia, which is home to the University of Georgia. Being connected to the lovable canines with the iconic mugs, something referencing the popular breed has to be included for Frazier.
Leftfielder Gregory Polanco – “The Coffee Song” By Frank Sinatra
A little known fact about Polanco’s nickname “El Coffee,” it was actually given to him by a youth team manager, because the former right fielder reminded him of another player who was nicknamed “El Coffee.” Unfortunately, Polanco is of Dominican descent, while the song focuses mainly on Brazil.
Right fielder Andrew McCutchen – “I Will Survive” By Gloria Gaynor
The biggest question for most Pirate fans this offseason centered around whether or not the face of the franchise would be back in the Steel City for 2017. Though he has returned, McCutchen famously lost his starting job in center field to Starling Marte. However, the 2013 National League MVP seems dedicated to at least surviving long enough in Pittsburgh to earn a rich contract upon which he can retire.
Center fielder Starling Marte – “The 1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky
Along with his speed, Marte is perhaps best known for his “cannon” of an arm. Is there any other song out there known for having cannons in it as much as the classical masterpiece? This entry also wins the award for having the smallest chance of actually making it into a game, not that the others have a high probability of that happening either.
First baseman Josh Bell – “I Can’t Drive 55″ by Sammy Hagar
Hopefully, as he becomes more of a regular in the big leagues, Bell will eventually upgrade his jersey number from its current number 55. However, until then, the imposing switch-hitter has a tailor-made walk-up song that also hints at his surprising speed on the base paths.
Third baseman David Freese – “Snow Miser Song” from The Year without a Santa Claus
I flip-flopped a bit on this pick when it came to Josh Harrison. I think ultimately the team will want to start Harrison off in his role of super utility player, especially with the departure of Sean Rodriguez. While this isn’t the most intimidating song choice, it has to be better than when it was used in Batman and Robin, widely considered one of the worst movies of all time.
Catcher Francisco Cervelli – “‘O Sole Mio” by Luciano Pavarotti
This was a tough one. Few songs from last year were more appropriate than Cervelli’s “That’s Amore.” So, rather than re-invent the wheel, I feel as though I was able to one-up it with the classic opera love song by one of the greatest tenors in history.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer – “Okie from Muskogee” by Merle Haggard
I think enough time has passed since the song’s release year of 1969 to look past the anti-hippy message in the opening of this classic. A little creative editing could also take care of that problem, making the tune a perfect fit for the Oklahoma-born Mercer who played his college ball at Oklahoma State University.
Pitcher Ivan Nova – “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis
Ignoring the fact that Gerritt Cole has already been named the opening day starter, I just couldn’t resist mentioning this choice. I did live out my teenage years in the 1990s and early 2000s after all.