| AT-BAT MUSIC: TEXAS RANGERS |
| Player |
Song |
Artist |
| SS Michael Young |
"Nothing But A G Thang" |
Dr. Dre |
| 3B Hank Blalock |
Nothing |
"I am not a jukebox," Blalock says, requesting that nothing be played when he steps into the batter's box. |
| 2B Alfonso Soriano |
"Tipsy" |
J-Kwon |
| 1B Mark Teixeira |
"All Along the Watchtower" |
Jimi Hendrix |
For a young guy, this might seem like a strange choice, but the 24-year-old Teixeira is apparently a big Jimi Hendrix fan. |
| OF Laynce Nix |
"I Like That" |
Houston |
Nix recently switched to "I Like That" from LL Cool J's "Goin back to Cali." |
| OF Kevin Mench |
Whatever Top 40 tune is most popular |
| OF David Dellucci |
"The Godfather Waltz" |
Nino Rota |
Recently, Dellucci requested "The Godfather Waltz," a k a "The Godfather Theme" as his at-bat music. An Italian American, Dellucci thought the tune fit him well. Right before the next game, the outfielder got cold feet and began debating whether to use the song or not. The Rangers staff played it anyway, and it has become all the rage in Texas. Fans call up the stadium by the dozens asking what the song is from, and why they recognize it. In turn, Dellucci has become a fan favorite. |
| DH Brad Fullmer |
Nothing |
Fullmer says he wants to focus, not listen to music. |
| C Gerald Laird |
"I Like the Way You Move" |
OutKast |
| RHP Francisco Cordero |
A variety of salsa music |
As the closer, Fransisco chooses a Salsa tune that has the word "Cocoa" in its chorus. Of course, Francisco's nickname is "Coco." |
| RHP Jeff Nelson |
"Chattahoochee" |
Alan Jackson |
Whether this goes along with manager Buck Showalter's "focus-on-the-game" style or not, most of the young guys are gun-shy about coming up to the music director. Maybe it explains why the no-nonsense Rangers currently lead the AL West.
Here's a tidbit from the Arlington archives: When Nolan Ryan first came to the Rangers in 1989, he came with a career résumé like few others. The 42-year old was strong, lanky, and tough. The Texan was clearly one of the most feared men in baseball. And yet, one of the first things he did was call up the music director, and make sure Elton John and Kiki Dee's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was used every time he pitched.