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Wrapping up our yearly MLB Player Music Series with a look at a team that is very near and dear to my heart, the San Francisco Giants. The G-Men had somewhat of a down year, missing the playoffs but going a respectable 84-78 and failed to make it to the postseason and defend their World Series crown from the year prior. The Giants always play the game right way with speed, grit, authority, and the ability to be the embodiment and class of MLB with their 3 World Series championships in the last 5 years. Since moving west to California from New York in 1954, the Giants have built up a loyal following in the Bay Area, and seeing people wearing that orange and black fills me with so much passion and enthusiasm for everything that the team is and what they stand for. I've compiled a list of the walk up song choices for this year's squad, with new acquisitions Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija hoping to pay up big dividends for what they paid for. Here is this year's Giants playlist:
Buster Posey - Brantley Gilbert "Hell on Wheels"
The face of the franchise and former 2012 NL MVP Posey kicks off our roundup with this down home country tune courtesy of Brantley Gilbert. Buster has been nothing short of money since first getting called up in 2010, and has proven that he's the perfect person to lead this team to victory night after night. With his blazing hot catching prowess and superb defense with throwing runners out trying to steal, he is nothing short of exemplary when it comes to being an excellent player. There's a reason he is #1 in jersey sales, and the proof is in the stats that he puts up year after year.
Chris Heston - Kanye West "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
A member of the pitching staff who famously threw a no hitter last year against the Mets has this shiny tune from Kanye West as his walk up song of choice. Displaying speed and repertoire in his pitching arsenal, Heston knows how to keep batters off balance with speeds clocking in at around 95 mph, and becoming everything that scouts would hope for when he was called up from the minors last year. A remarkable talent with a highly developed skill set, Heston has all the gifts and strengths to fortify the Giants rotation for years to come.
Denard Span - Meek Millz "Dream To Nightmare"
The newest member of the Giants outfield has this sweet hip-hop tune from Meek Millz as his entrance music. Formerly of the Nationals, Span has remarkable range patrolling center field, and was brought in to give Angel Pagan some rest from his regular duties. He also has a little pop while at the plate, and has a distinct silver streak lining his goatee that has become something of a trademark with him. He will definitely provide some added defense and strong range with his glove patrolling the grass over at AT&T Park this year.
Jake Peavy - Bruce Springsteen "Badlands"
The fiery passion and brilliance of Peavy is on full display with this classic tune from Springsteen as his walk up song of choice. Since coming over via trade from the Red Sox in 2014, Jake has been an integral part of the rotation and provides some much needed grit and determination whenever he steps out on the mound. Sometimes, the emotions clearly get the best of him, and he usually screams to voice his displeasure with a call, usually resulting in a mouthful of profanity afterwards that can be somewhat comical at times. Whatever the case may be, Peavy has the time of his life on the mound, and is a great person to have defending and blocking for you every time.
Gregor Blanco - Damian Marley "Welcome To Jamrock"
The stellar outfield defense of Gregor Blanco gets us going with this reggae inflicted tune from Damian Marley as his walk up music. Blanco has been a constant presence in the outfield for some time now, and that defense comes in handy during clutch situations in the regular season and playoffs that ensure the team comes out on the winning side every time. While it may be torture for some fans to see some occasional slip ups here and there, it's all part of the game and the end result is that Blanco plugs that hole in the defense that no one else can do.
Johnny Cueto - El Mayor Clasico f/ Shadow Blow "Como Antes"
The newest member of the Giants starting rotation pays homage to his Dominican roots with this funky hip-hop number as his walk out song. Formerly a member of the Cincinnati Reds and who also helped the Royals win a World Series championship last year, Cueto has signed with the Giants for some big dollar amounts, and is looking to help the team return to the promised land. With his distinct windup, and outrageous antics on the mound that boost the momentum and energy of everyone around him, fans are certainly excited to have him on their side versus having to face him in the heat of the battle.
Kelby Tomlinson - Third Day "Trust in Jesus"
Nerd alert! Just kidding, it's none other than call up second baseman Kelby Tomlinson who has some inspirational Christian music from Third Day as his walk up music. Kelby did a great job filling in for the injured Joe Panik late last year, and he also displayed some serious power at the plate, all while sporting some remarkably nifty glasses that make him look like the modern day version of Clark Kent. He also has some great defense as well that puts this handsome player in the hearts and minds of fans as a player to keep a watchful eye on in the near future.
Matt Duffy - Florida Georgia Line "It's Just What We Do"
Third baseman Matt Duffy has some country tunes to keep him going at the plate with this number from Florida Georgia Line. Duffy has been a fan favorite since getting called up 2 years ago, and is always a tough out at the plate in his relentless pursuit of driving a ball into the gap to carry home those crucial runs. He also is known for having a very fat and obese cat that has made him the envy of everyone around, and it's those character players that carry this Giants team very far and has made them one of the more interesting teams in baseball today.
Santiago Casilla - Living Colour "Cult of Personality"
The closer of the Giants has this classic 80's tune from Living Colour as his entrance tune. Casilla has done a tremendous job of filling the closers role, taking over for Sergio Romo who fills the setup man position. With a tremendous pitch selection, and a variety of pitches that sometimes touch the high 90's, Casilla has racked up some high saves totals in his tenure with the team, and looks to continue that shutdown man role this year that will be the key to many victories for the team moving forward.