Music is a sort of pulse for life. Strength, sadness, celebration, anger, and even something as simple as a clouded mind can all be enhanced or dulled with the right song. People make millions of dollars putting together just the right notes to create audible experiences to enhance the very life we experience. It’s only natural then, that such a powerful force be prominently featured in America’s pastime. Ball park music is used to entertain the crowds, pump up the players and add a certain something to the baseball experience. Anaheim stadium is no exception in this regard and while players have their individual walkout songs blasting through the stadium, perhaps a few should look at making some special song additions to their iPods this season.
Jered Weaver – Boston “Long Time”
Yeah. It's been such a long time, I think I should be goin', yeah
And time dosnt wait for me, it keeps on rollin'
There's a long road, I've gotta stay in time with
I've got to keep on chasin' that dream, though I may never find it
Every year, Halo fans count their blessings to be fans of a team that holds a crown jewel like Jered Weaver. The ace is a born and bred SoCal boy that never seems to get the respect of a Felix Hernandez or even a Tim Lincecum. He certainly earns a tip of the cap from the national sports media every now and then, but for some reason he often ends up skipped when talks of elite pitchers rise. Not so this year. Jered’s paid his dues. His numbers are good. He has only to keep chipping away before he cracks the glass ceiling and everyone is forced to take note. It’s been too long coming, but this may finally be the year of the “Dream Weaver”. As the song says, it’s been a long time chasing the dream and Jered’s just got to keep chasing.
Albert Pujols – Godsmack “Alive”
I'm alive and still kicking.
What you see I can't see and maybe
You'll think before you speak.
Who can forget holding their breath in 2012 as we all waited for Albert Pujols to knock that first homer to break the ice? Albert is still with us and this season, he’s far more accustomed to wearing Angels red. No cooling off period to wait through now, Albert’s locker in Anaheim should be as familiar to him as his chest of drawers at home. With the free agent frenzy, it’d have been easy to forget number 5. What you can’t forget is, aside from the initial acclimation period, Pujols is a consistent homerun threat that’s sure to put ice in a few pitchers veins. Like Dr. Frankenstein’s monster, he’s alive to instill fear in his enemies.
Peter Bourjos – Cake “Going the Distance”
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse,
He's going the distance.
Peter Bourjos came very close to leaving the trade block several times this season (hundreds of times if you cared to read the rumor mill), but his run through the free agent gauntlet has seen him land back home to Anaheim, and hopes are running high for Speedy Petey. Mike Trout is obviously the center field superstar, but Bourjos is not one to be counted out. Besides his obvious speed, he has the heart to match any Mike Trout leap into the centerfield wall. Higher expectations for Peter Bourjos are not unwarranted and he is more than up to the challenge of fulfilling those expectations. He’s a racer, ready at the starting line, begging for the green flag to drop and turn him loose.
Josh Hamilton – Bon Jovi “Wanted”
I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back
I been everywhere, and I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces an I've rocked them all
The new million-dollar man, Josh Hamilton has arrived. The name is familiar to all. The former foe turned teammate knows his role on any team and the Angels will be no exception. All that’s asked of Hamilton this year is consistency. Play at the same level as he did in Texas and Hamilton will have earned his money, and the hearts of the fans. There’s always the awkward “getting to know you” phase, but as Anaheim and Hamilton already have a relationship of sorts, it’ll be interesting to see if he needs a cooling off period, or if he’s ready to slam some homers into the rockpile on day one. He’s the old lawman, walking into a new town and ready to bring his brand of justice to those that cross his path.
Mike Trout – Downstait “I Came to Play”
I'm here to stay
Best get out of my way
I came to play
Mike Trout gets a song popularized in the WWE. It’s simple and to the point (as you would expect of a pro wrestling theme). Trout had his breakout rookie season, now it’s time for the second hit in a one-two combo punch. Trout has a short “to-do” list this season: Own his success and become the player he knows he can be. The statement Trout needs to make this year is that his rookie season was no fluke and that he’s the real deal. With his outfield mentor off to greener pastures in Detroit, Mike Trout must now find the confidence to style and profile to all of the accomplishments and accolades that await him.
Speaking of Torii Hunter, he seems to be enjoying his new northern surroundings, but a good number of fans will want to send him a little song as well:
Incubus “Wish You Were Here.”
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