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In today's day and age of 24 hour music (everyone walks around with an ipod and now you can even have your illegally downloaded music on your cellphone), baseball has hopped on the bandwagon. Granted, organs have been used for years at baseball stadiums across the country, however music was generally limited to in between innings.

Now at baseball stadiums, walk-up music will be played while a batter for the home team approaches the batter's box or when a relief pitcher for the home team walks (or runs) in from the bullpen.

Perhaps it was the baseball classic movie Major League that started the trend. Rick Vaughn's "Wild Thing" was the song that was played as he took the mound. The choice of music usually reflects a player's heritage, birthplace, name, or a characteristic of the player.

My favorite walk-up music and the players who use the songs are:

• Eric Byrnes--Jump by Van Halen and Disco Inferno by the Trammps
• Pat Burrell--Holy Diver by Dio
• Armando Benitex--Big Pimpin' by Jay-z
• Ryan Church--Crazy Train by Ozzie Osbourne
• Chris Coste--Love Rollercoastr by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• J.J. Putz and John Smoltz and Daniel Thomson--Thunderstruck by AC/DC

Basically, I'm a fan of any loud sound that has an uptempo beat. Let's also discuss what players clearly need help when picking songs. I present the top three worst walk-up music for baseball players.

3. Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies) -- We Like To Party by the Vengaboys

While I love your work on the baseball field, I hardly feel that this is a fair representation of what you do. In the Southern California market (and any other Six Flags market), this song is forever associated with that old man with a ridiculous amount of energy (perhaps he overdosed on those little blue pills?). But is that really the image you want in fans minds when you step up to the plate? Hardly.

2. Chad Bradford (Baltimore Orioles) -- Over My Head (Cable Car) by the Fray

Really Chad? As a relief pitcher you want the other team to here that you're in over your head as you take the mound? Bases loaded and they go to you. What does the team here? Oh that's right--that you're in over your head. I'm not saying that the Fray is a bad band. I enjoy their music. There is a time and a place for them however. And at a baseball stadium as you take the mound is neither the time, nor the place. At least it's not coldplay then we'd know something about you (obligatory 40 year old virgin reference).

1. Matt Holliday (Colorado Rockies) -- Holiday by Madonna

Wow. Gee Matt, why'd you pick this song? Oh that's right. You've probably grown up praying for the day that you can use this song because your last name is repeatedly endlessly throughout the song. But please please change it. You think your tough cause you listen to Madonna? Keep in mind she also sang Like a Virgin and Dress You Up With My Love. This is ridiculous. Sigh. High-pitched falsetto singing and tight revealing outfits is what you want us to think of when we see you walk to the plate? Nice work...really.

And I can't leave these next few ones alone because they are funny and puzzling. More of the former then the latter.

• Mike Myers (New York Yankees) -- Halloween Theme

Matt Holliday, take notes. This is how you use your name in a hilarious way.

• Sparky Lyle (New York Yankees) -- Pomp and Circumstance (yes the graduation song...no not the one by Vitamin-C that gets way overplayed every May-June)

This Yankees old-timer would enter games as the relief pitcher while the organist played this tune on the organ.

Interestingly enough, John Rocker used to use I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister. However, after John Rocker's wonderful comments regarding different ethnicities, Twisted Sister requested Rocker and the Braves stop playing the song. They complied.

Some stupid players have decided to let silence do the talking. Garret Anderson, Jose Molina, and Moises Alou (along with other lesser players) all have specifically asked not to have music played.

What would be your pool baseball walk-up music? Comment. Mine is probably You're the Best (from Karate Kid) or Simply the Best by Tina Turner.

Labels: Baseball, music