Baseball: The Boys of Summer
With Spring Training starting this week, baseball season is almost here. Jeff and I are bringing you a collaborative mix of the best music that reminds us of the greatest game on Earth—baseball.
"Boys of Summer" by Don Henley isn't strictly a baseball song, but it uses imagery associated with summer and baseball, which is why people often associate it with the sport.
"Talkin' Baseball" by Terry Cashman is very much a baseball song because it’s a nostalgic tribute to the sport, specifically focusing on its players and its history. Released in 1981, the song is a reflection on the golden age of baseball, celebrating legendary players and iconic moments in the sport's past.
"Centerfield" by John Fogerty is a quintessential baseball song because it captures the spirit and energy of the game, specifically through the lens of the excitement and anticipation that comes with playing baseball, particularly in the outfield.
"Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen is often considered a baseball song because it reflects the nostalgia and fond memories of youth, with baseball being a central part of those formative years for many people. While the song isn't exclusively about baseball, it captures the essence of growing up, and for a lot of people, baseball is closely tied to those memories.
"Walk of Life" by Dire Straits is often associated with baseball, not because the song is explicitly about the sport, but due to its upbeat, celebratory nature and the way it captures the energy and excitement that baseball fans feel, especially at the ballpark.
"The Greatest" by Kenny Rogers is a baseball song because it directly tells the story of a young boy who dreams of playing baseball and ultimately learns a valuable life lesson through the game. The song uses baseball as both a metaphor and a literal framework for the narrative, making it one of the more iconic baseball-related songs.
"America's Favorite Pastime" by Todd Snider is widely believed to be inspired by Doc Ellis, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who famously threw a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970 while under the influence of LSD. The song references the story of Ellis’s no-hitter, but it does so in a way that uses baseball as a metaphor for larger themes of American culture, identity, and the contradictions within it.
"America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles is often associated with baseball because it has become a beloved and powerful anthem played at many sporting events, including baseball games, particularly in the United States. While the song itself isn’t about baseball, it’s closely tied to the experience of watching and participating in American sports, where it evokes feelings of patriotism, pride, and unity.
"Wild Thing" by X was used in the 1989 baseball movie Major League. In the film, the song is famously associated with the character Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen. Vaughn is a hard-throwing, wild pitcher who struggles with control but is given a shot at redemption. The song is used to introduce Vaughn as he takes the mound, adding to his wild, rebellious persona.
"Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes has become widely associated with baseball, particularly due to its use as a crowd chant in stadiums. The song's famous, iconic bass line (which is often mistaken for a guitar riff) has been adopted by fans in baseball stadiums, especially during key moments of excitement, like rallying for their team or during tense situations.
"Swing" by Trace Adkins is often considered a baseball song because of its metaphorical use of the word "swing." While the song is primarily about dancing and trying to impress a woman, the term "swing" can also refer to the action in baseball, where a batter takes a swing at a pitch.
"The Closer" by The Baseball Project is a song that's directly about baseball, specifically focusing on the role of a closer—the pitcher who comes in during the final innings of a game to secure a win for their team. The song captures the high-stakes, intense emotions that come with being in this critical role.
"Hells Bells" by AC/DC is famously associated with Trevor Hoffman, a Hall of Fame closer for the San Diego Padres. Hoffman used this song as his entrance music when he would come in to close out games, creating one of the most iconic and intimidating moments in baseball.
"I Love LA" by Randy Newman is associated with baseball, specifically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, due to its connection to the team's home games at Dodger Stadium. The song, with its upbeat and celebratory vibe, became an anthem of sorts for the city of Los Angeles and is frequently played during Dodgers games, particularly when the team is doing well or celebrating a big victory.
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