10. Catfish – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan wrote this song about James “Catfish” Hunter. This song pays tribute to Catfish for his skill and success as a major league pitcher for the Kansas City Athletics and the New York Yankees. When he signed with the Yankees in 1975, he became the highest paid pitcher in the major leagues. Dylan refers to him as the “million dollar man” throughout the song. Catfish finished his career with 2,012 strikeouts, a record of 224-166 with a 3.26 earned run average, and 5 World Series Championships. He would later go on to be inducted in the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. His senior year of high school, before his career had even started, Catfish was wounded in a hunting accident. He lost a toe and had shotgun pellets lodged in his foot. Luckily it didn’t hinder the scouts of the Royals, and they signed him which led to a long and successful career.
8. High Hopes – Harry Kalas
Being a Philadelphia sports fan, I had to put this song on my list to honor the late great sportscaster Harry Kalas. “High Hopes” is a song about an ant trying to move rubber tree plant, a feat which seems impossible for such a small animal to do, but just might happen if he believes. He’s got high hopes! This is a song that anyone who’s ever been an underdog can relate to. After every Phillies win, they play Harry’s version of this song at Citizens Bank Park. Harry Kalas first sang this song after the Phillies won the National League East title in 1993. He also sang this song in recent years when the Phillies clinched more National League titles. Harry was the voice of NFL Films for a number of years. His voice is recognizable across the country as one of the greatest sportscasters and sports personalities in history, and he will forever remain an icon in Philadelphia sports history.
6. America, the Beautiful – Ray Charles
This song is not about baseball at all. In fact it has nothing to do with baseball except for its use in the film, “The Sandlot.” In fact, just about every song from “The Sandlot” reminds me of summertime and baseball. Baseball is America’s national pastime, making this patriotic song an essential on my list of baseball songs. It’s a great summertime song. For those who haven’t seen The Sandlot, this song plays while a group of kids play a night game on the Fourth of July. They play under the beautifully lit firework filled sky. It’s a great scene and it’s a classic song that reminds me of the pure love I had for this summertime game.
5. Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen
This classic can be heard at almost any stadium, whether it’s baseball, football, basketball, or hockey. “Glory Days” is simple, catchy, and infectious. The lyrics in the first verse of this song make it a baseball classic. Bruce reminisces with an old friend about his high school baseball glory days. Though this song is actually a little sad, it takes us all back to a time when we were young, had no stress, and didn’t have a care in the world. This song reminds us that glory days truly do pass us all by, so enjoy them!
4. Wild Thing – The Troggs
Here’s another song that wasn’t specifically written about baseball, but has been adopted as a baseball classic. Whether it’s used to heckle an away pitcher who walks a batter, or whether it’s introducing your mullet wearing, tobacco chewing closing pitcher, this song has become an anthem for wild and intimidating pitchers everywhere.
3. Cheap Seats – Alabama
This song encompasses the experience of going to a ball park and enjoying a minor league ball game. Whether your team is good or not, whether they’re a Major League team or a Triple-A team, whether you’re in the front row or in the cheap seats, it’s always exciting to get out and see a game. Alabama lets us know that baseball is more than a game. It’s a way of life, and it’s a love that can’t be measured in records or statistics.
2. Take Me Out To The Ball Game – Words by Jack Norworth, Music by Albert Von Tizler
It’s as well known as “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Happy Birthday” in America. It’s sung during the seventh inning stretch and includes a sing-along encouraging everyone to take part in it. What else can you say about this song? It’s an ageless classic that has lasted over one hundred years. You can bet that as long as the game of baseball is in existence, this song will be sung.
1. Centerfield – John Fogerty
Centerfield is just a feel good baseball tune. This song can be heard in the largest stadiums in the biggest cities, to the smallest little league fields in the smallest towns across America. This is one of the all-time classic baseball songs, if not THE classic baseball song. Also referred to as the “put me in coach I’m ready to play” song, this tune has become a staple on America’s baseball playlist. It’s a catchy tune that encompasses the mood and feelings of our childhood love for the game of baseball. I can remember hearing this song being played between innings when I was a twelve year old ball player. John Fogerty does a great job of illustrating that childlike eagerness to play the game. From lines about using a “beat up glove and a homemade bat” to lines about “Say Hey Willie, Ty Cobb, and Joe Dimaggio,” Centerfield is, and always will be, a timeless piece of the baseball pastime.
Roger Lee Hall, Take Me Out To The Ballgame: A Tribute, American Music Preservation
Retro Sheet, Catfish Hunter Statistics and History, Baseball Reference
