If you were at any of the games during Opening Weekend, along with taking in the new concession items (stay tuned for the return of “What John and Cait Ate” during the next homestand!) and other changes around the ballpark, you might have found yourself taking in some new music as well, especially as our players walked up to the plate, or our pitchers entered the games.

For players, this is often an important decision. What brief part of a song is going to send a message to the fans—and what do I want that message to be? Do I keep the same song that I had last year? What’s the hit that is going to produce the most hits? Is it a superstitious thing, do I want fans to sing along, or do I just use my favorite song right now?

And, it’s a big deal because sometimes, fans might not remember your exact career batting average or ERA with the team, but they just might remember your at-bat song.

Take these blasts from the past, for instance, which were very distinctive and will probably always stick out–in my mind, at least–as being associated with a certain player at a certain time: Tyler Houston using Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” (2001);  Frank Catalanotto and Mark Kotsay using The Outfield’s “Your Love” (2009; 2011—”Josie’s on a vacation far away….”); or Brooks Kieschnick entering the game to George Strait’s “Cowboys Like Us” (2004).

Being a country music fan, I’m always especially alert when I hear a country song,  so, on Opening Day, when Mat Gamel approached the plate and I heard “…out in the sticks with the squirrels and the ticks…” sung by a familiar-sounding deep country voice, blare out over the PA, I had to know who it was.

Hence, if you’re like me and you’re attuned to the tunes, you’ll probably enjoy seeing this list—and updating your iPod playlists accordingly.

2012 AT-BAT WALK-UP MUSIC

Norichika Aoki: “Right Round” by Flo Rida

Ryan Braun: “A Dream” by Jay-Z

Yovani Gallardo: “My Time” by Fabolous

Mat Gamel: “Drinkin’ Beer and Wastin’ Bullets” by Luke Bryan (Cait’s Note: Aha! Luke Bryan!)

Carlos Gomez: “Papa Dios Me Dijo” by Secreto El Famoso Biberon; “Te Pue Cuida” by El Batallon

Alex Gonzalez: “Salio el Sol” by Don Omar

Zack Greinke: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day

Corey Hart: “Until the Whole World Hears” by Casting Crowns

Travis Ishikawa: “Ignition” by tobyMac

George Kottaras: “Sober” by Tool

Jonathan Lucroy: “Fight Inside” by Red

Shaun Marcum: “Till I Collapse” by Eminem

Nyjer Morgan: “Beastin’” by E-40; “Function” by E-40

Rickie Weeks:  “Ambition” by Wale

Randy Wolf: “Aenima” by Tool

2012 PITCHING ENTRANCE MUSIC

John Axford: “New Noise” by Refused

Tim Dillard: “Papa Americano” by DJ Kiley

Yovani Gallardo: “My Time” by Fabolous

Zack Greinke: “My Kind of Party” by Jason Aldean

Kameron Loe: “Of Wolf and Man” by Metallica

Francisco Rodriguez: “Sandungueso” by Tego Calderon

Randy Wolf: “Bottom” by Tool

In case you weren’t aware, we do keep a list of these songs on brewers.com and try our best to update it accordingly, so you might want to bookmark this page for future reference.

Update 1: I also took most of these songs and turned then into a personal playlist on Spotify. I’m going to try to keep it updated during the season, so join me in listening if you’re like!

Update 2: Some people have been asking about the song played after the Brewers hit home runs at Miller Park.  Here’s your answer: “Cherry Lips” by Garbage is the most regular one played, but we also play is “Slam” by Onyx. Also, the song played after Brewers victories is currently “All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled.

So now, what about you? What’s your favorite, or most memorable Brewers at-bat song? And, if you were a player, what song might you choose as yours?

-CAIT

johnandcait@brewers.com