Walk it off.
The year 2020 was unlike any other we've ever seen before. For Major League Baseball, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the game on its head, and stopped it dead in its tracks.
The league suspended spring training in early March, and did not resume until July. The 162-game regular season was shortened to just 60 games. Moreover, those 60 games would be played in empty stadiums across the country without fans in attendance.
In their place we saw cardboard cutouts and piped in crowd noise. Virtual press conferences and celebrations. Some teams had to quarantine for weeks on end, others had players opt-out entirely.
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One thing we learned however was just how important music remained to get us all through a difficult year. Despite the fact that there were no fans in attendance to hear them, DJs still played players' walk-up music each and every time they stepped to the plate. That brief interlude of rhythm and noise delighted the ear drums and presented some form of normalcy and excitement for the players.
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For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2020 shortened season turned out to be their best in three decades. With or without fans, the Dodgers dominated the competition from July to October. The Dodgers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball at 43-17. They then carried that over into the postseason, going 13-5 en route to their first World Series title in 32 years.
Fans are back in the stands this year and the players are excited to share their new walk-up music with them all. Whether it's a classic band like The Eagles or Fleetwood Mac, or something more contemporary like Morgan Wallen or Ed Sheeran, the players' choice in music is a bridge to the fans, providing an insight into our favorite athletes personalities and tastes.
A player's walk-up music is often one of the most underrated aspects of the game of baseball. In a sport clouded by how much time is wasted, the walk-up song offers an opportunity for a player to not only entertain fans, but also provide a window into their personal playlist.
Each and every year, NBC LA brings you the walk-up songs for your Los Angeles Dodgers and this year we are proud to call them the reigning World Series Champions.
For some players, you'll hear the same familiar song year after year—cough, cough, Clayton Kershaw—others, like to change it up constantly throughout the season. Some are superstitious with their walk-up music, and others just like what they like.
The Dodgers added some new pieces to the 2021 roster, and said goodbye to some good friends. Joc Pederson, Enrique Hernandez, and Pedro Baez all bolted in free agency. But the Dodgers reloaded with reigning Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer, and former All-Star closer Corey Knebel.
Jimmy Nelson and David Price were on the team, but didn't play in a single game last year. They made their Dodger debuts this year. Rookies Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin made it on the Opening Day roster, as did their new super-utility player Zack McKinstry.
Courtesy of the Dodgers in-game mix master, DJ Severe, here are the 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers walk-up songs:
Mookie Betts: "I Love My City" by Ernest K, "Stuntin' On You (featuring DDG & Dame D.O.L.L.A.) by Tyla Yaweh, and "Baddest Man Alive" by TheyCallMeSolo and Tre Houston.
Corey Seager: "Burn 'Em All" by Kamron Marlowe, "To Us It Did" by Mitchell Tenpenny, and "my ex's best friend" by Machine Gun Kelly (featuring blackbear)
Justin Turner: "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran & "Turn Down For What" by DJ Snake and Lil Jon.
A.J. Pollock: "The Chain," by Fleetwood Mac and "Hey, Hey What Can I Do" by Led Zeppelin
Cody Bellinger: "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio and "Laugh Now Cry Later (featuring Lil Durk)" by Drake
Chris Taylor: "Fight For Your Right," by Beastie Boys and "Levitating" by Dua Lipa
Max Muncy: "Welcome to the Party" by Diplo, French Montana & Lil Pump, and "Dey Know" by Shawty Lo
Austin Barnes: "94 Bentley" by Saint JHN
Will Smith: "Nice For What" by Drake
Zach McKinstry - "Walking On a Dream" by Empire of the Sun
Albert Pujols - "I Ain't Done," by Andy Mineo and "Restored" by Lecrae
Steven Souza Jr. - "Glorious" by Macklemore (featuring Skylar Grey)
Clayton Kershaw: "We Are Young" by fun. and "No Scrubs" by TLC
Max Scherzer: "Still D.R.E." by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg.
Walker Buehler: "Shots and Squats" by Vigiland, Tham Sway
David Price: "Ambition" by Wale (featuring Meek Mill and Rick Ross)
Scott Alexander: "Who Am I" by Snoop Dogg
Victor Gonzalez: "Mi Lindo Nayarit" by Bando El Recodo and "El sinaloense y el Kora" by Banda El Recodo
Julio Urias: "Mi Porvenir" by Alfredo Olivas and "El Comerciante" by Grupo Marca Registrada
Kenley Jansen: "California Love," by 2Pac, Roger, and Dr. Dre & "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted (feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg)" by 2Pac
Joe Kelly: "Ayy Macarena" by Tyga
Matt Beaty: "7000x" by Judah & the Lion and "Left Hand Free" by Alt-J
Gavin Lux: "Studio" by Schoolboy Q, BJ The Chicago Kid
Edwin Rios: "De Vuelta Pa' La Vuelta" by Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony
Blake Treinen: "Fire Emoji" by YB
Tony Gonsolin: "Cat Daddy" by Rej3ctz
Dustin May: "Born of a Broken Man" by Rage Against the Machine
Brusdar Graterol: "Ella Ya Me Olivido" by Leeb
Corey Knebel: "Loud" by Mac Miller
Phil Bickford - "Apricots" by Bicep
Jimmy Nelson - "Baianá" by Bakermat
Darien Núñez - "El Campeón" by El Kimiko y Yordy and Michael Boutic
Edwin Uceta - "Teteo" by El Fecho RD, You R
Alex Vesia - "Gasoline" by Seether
If you want to listen to any of these songs, we made a Spotify Playlist of them available here:
