Remembering the most iconic walk up songs in Nationals history
Yesterday, I came up with the idea to rank the greatest walk up songs in Nationals history. To refresh my memory, I asked people in the Nats Central Twitter community what their favorite walk up songs were. They came back with some great answers, some of which I had forgotten about. After much consideration, here is my list of the greatest Nats walkup songs.
- Michael Morse: Take On Me by a-ha
This walkup song was just perfection from Michael Morse. It had everything you could possibly want in a walkup song. It was fan friendly, with the fans getting very involved in singing along. The song is an 80’s classic that never gets old even if it gets played constantly. It also fit Morse’s vibe very well. Even years after Morse left the team, the song was still played during the seventh inning stretch. Putting it over Baby Shark might be a hot take, but I am valuing the longevity of Take on Me.
2. Gerardo Parra: Baby Shark
We all know the story of Baby Shark by now. Gerardo Parra switched his walkup song to the catchy kids tune at his child’s request. He got hot and the song caught on in a massive way. It is the most iconic walkup song in Nats history. No Nationals walkup song got the crowd more engaged than Baby Shark. Getting over 40,000 sports fans to sing a song meant for toddlers in unison is one heck of an achievement. For me, the song got old after 2019, and that is why it was not number one. It captured a moment in time so beautifully, but it became tiresome after 2019. It is the most iconic, but I enjoyed Take on Me more.
3. Wilson Ramos: Wilson by Phish
Wilson Ramos is one of my favorite Nats of all time, especially after my interview with him last week. His walk up song was another one that got the crowd involved. The crowd chanted his name to the tune of the song. It always made me look forward to Wilson’s at bats even when he was slumping. Just the chance to shout Wilson over that sweet guitar beat was so much fun. Other players have done similar things, basing their walkup song around their name, most notably Jacob Young. However, Ramos did it best, placing him third on the list. The Buffalo was such a fan friendly player and his walkup song was part of that.
4. Jayson Werth: Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
Jayson Werth had a few good walkup songs. His Game of Thrones walkout was a favorite of mine as well. However, nothing beats Werewolves of London. It just suited him perfectly. His beard kind of made him look like a werewolf, and something about it just made sense. That is what makes for a great walkout song. It did not get the crowd engaged to the same level as the top 3, but there were definitely some howls as Werth came to the plate.
5. Tyler Clippard: Ready or Not by The Fugees
Tyler Clippard is the first pitcher on this list, and for good reason. Ready or Not is both a great song and the perfect walkout for a reliever. While it is not hard rock, it still provides the intimidation factor with the direct lyrics and spooky beat. More often than not, hitters were not ready for Clippard, as he was a lights out bullpen arm over most of his 8 seasons with the Nats.
6. Bryce Harper: Flower by Moby
Bring Sally up, bring Sally down! This was just such a fun walkup song by Bryce, who had a few great candidates for this list. I loved when Harper had The Best is Yet to Come by Frank Sinatra, but this one was my favorite. It got the crowd engaged, it was unique and it was beautiful in its simplicity. Whatever you think of Bryce these days, you gotta love his walkup choices.
7. Max Scherzer: Still Dre by Dr. Dre
This was Max Scherzer’s walkup later in his Nationals career as he entered his mid 30’s. It was a defiant statement that even as he was getting older, he was still that guy. The song matched perfectly with his almost unhinged intensity. He wanted the hitters to know that he was still the best in the world. Max Scherzer is my favorite player of all time, so it is only fitting to have his walkup song on the list.
8. Lane Thomas: Dirt on my Boots by Jon Pardi
The most recent selection on this list, this is another one that just suited the player very well. It is a blue collar song for a blue collar player in Lane Thomas. The song is also quite catchy and memorable. Thomas was a bright light in some dark years in DC. He will always have a place in Nats history and will be a name people remember once the team is good again.
9. Adam Eaton: Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison
This one is just a great walkup song for any player. Adam Eaton’s duo of this song and No Diggity were just great selections. They are both amazing songs and great for walkouts. Unlike most of the other selections, this has more to do with the pure quality of the songs rather than any connection to the player or fan engagement.
10. Daniel Murphy: I’m Shipping up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys
Another one that plays off the players name a bit, I’m Shipping up to Boston is an all around great walkup song. It brings the intimidation factor, with its heavy rock sound, but is still fan friendly. This walkup song was also usually followed by a Murphy hit which made it even better. I love the player and love the song, so it has to make the list.
Honorable Mentions:
Kurt Suzuki, Red Red Wine
Ryan Zimmerman, Old Thing Back and Whatever you Like
Tanner Rainey, Hurricane
Stephen Strasburg, 7 Nations Army
Ryan Mattheus, Firework
Dylan Crews, Calabria 2008