Ranking walk-up songs of the 2020 Minnesota Twins
We all miss going to baseball games in 2020.
The crack of the bat. The smell of fresh-cut grass. And the sound of Pitbull (feat. Ke$ha) blaring over the speakers at Target Field.
For the past three years, we’ve ranked the walk-up songs of Minnesota Twins players, a tradition now dedicated in memory of Joe Mauer’s 15-year marriage to “What You Know” by T.I.
“Return of the Mac” by Mark Morrison, the walk-up song of Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, is a two-time champ, having won in 2017 and 2019. Mauer’s theme song took home the crown in 2018. Who will win this year? Scroll forth:
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jake Cave – “Lock it Up” by Eminem
Cave strolled up to the plate to ‘Till I Collapse” by Mr. Marshall Mathers last year, so it’s only fitting he chooses “Lock it Up” this summer. The new tune has Eminem’s classic rhyme scheme, but really, how hyped can you get listening to a 47-year-old dad rap? It works for Cave. (LISTEN HERE)
Ehire Adrianza – “Bichiyal” by Bad Bunny & Yaviah
Everyone needs a little Bad Bunny in their lives. (LISTEN HERE)
Josh Donaldson – “Shoota” by Playboi Carti
This song is fine. But Donaldson, nicknamed the “Bringer of Rain,” should think about going a different route. If only there was a song about rain from an artist with Minneapolis roots … (LISTEN HERE)
TOP 10 TWINS WALK-UP SONGS OF 2020
- NELSON CRUZ – “Soldado” by Juan Luis Guerra
Whether it’s crushing homers or winning the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award or picking a walk-up song, Cruz can do no wrong.
- RANDY DOBNAK – “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Ah, yes, the song sung at every small-town bar around closing time. And Dobnak, with his 4.99 rating, is waiting for you in an Uber outside.
- JAKE ODORIZZI – “Beer Never Broke My Heart” by Luke Combs
The whole country music and baseball thing is sometimes overdone, but Luke Combs is too good to be roped in with the Luke Bryans of the world. Longneck, ice cold $10 beers at Target Field have never broken our hearts, either.
- LUIS ARRAEZ – “Temblor” by Causa, Faruuko & El Alfa
Finally, a song that can match Arraez’s high energy (and sometimes, straight up chaos) in the batter’s box.
- RICH HILL — “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam
What do you call a hitter who watches an 0-2 pitch from Hill go by in the strike zone? “FREEEEEEEEEEEEZIN!”
- MITCH GARVER — “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & Fire
This song fits the Twins’ powder blue throwback jerseys better than anything. *chef’s kiss*
- KENTA MAEDA — “Hikoutei” by King Gnu
Ooooooooo, that guitar is NICE.
- TYLER DUFFEY — “Electric Feel” by MGMT
Oh yeah. Like Duffey, this track has a high spin rate. On the record player, that is.
- BYRON BUXTON — “Return of the Mac” by Mark Morrison
As a two-time champion, Mark Morrison’s masterpiece needs to step aside to let a different song take home the title. It’s like the NBA naming Karl Malone its MVP during the 1996-97 season — at some point you need to give the award to someone else other than the GOAT.
- SERGIO ROMO — “El Mechon” by Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new champion. Romo and “El Mechon” have been a package deal since he was winning World Series rings with the San Francisco bullpen in 2010, ’12 and ’14. The song is loud, energetic and pays tribute to Romo’s Hispanic heritage. It’s a perfect prelude to a Romo outing.
