Songs of the National League West
The third in a series looking at team songs in Major League Baseball by division.
Perhaps no sport lends itself to music than baseball, as “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” has become the official anthem of the seventh inning stretch. However, most teams have their own songs written specifically for them and this does not include the series of songs recorded by Terry Cashman who after did special editions of “Talkin’ Baseball for most of the Major League Baseball teams.
Arizona Diamondbacks
“D-Backs Swing”
Although the Arizona Diamondbacks joined the majors as an expansion team in 1998, and won a World Series in 2001, it took ten for the team of the desert to create its own sound. That came in 2007 when a local band Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers coordinated with the team to create the catchy “D-Backs Swing”.
Colorado Rockies
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“Take the Field”
The Colorado Rockies as they approached their 20th season in Coors Field, came up with a composition to celebrate the team called “Take the Field”. The music composed by Charles Denler and recorded by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is a fully instrumental piece, meant to represent baseball and the majesty of the Colorado mountains.
Los Angeles Dodgers
“D-O-D-G-E-R-S”
While the Los Angeles Dodgers do not have an official song written just for them, (the use of “I Love LA” is not included since it is a song about the city and not the team.) There is no shortage of songs about the Dodgers, including the fictional account of a game during the 1962 pennant race at the newly opened Dodger Stadium. The song titled “D-O-D-G-E-R-S was recorded by Danny Kaye and has been a personal favorite of WFAN original Steve Somers.
“Baseball Boogie”
While the song may not be about the Dodgers, the 1986 Los Angeles Dodgers tried their hand at a music video that is supremely awesome at how cringeworthy it is. I wonder how many players in this video which they could burn all the copies.
Brooklyn Dodgers
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“Follow the Dodgers”
Back in their days in Brooklyn, the Dodgers had a song that pure heart like the fans of Brooklyn, called “Follow the Dodgers.” The song was created by Ebbets Field organist Gladys Gooding.
“Let’s Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn”
In 1957 when news broke that Walter O’Malley was getting set to move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, actor Phil Foster recorded a song urging the team to stay.
San Francisco Giants
“Bye Bye Baby”
After the New York Giants relocated to San Francisco a song was composed to promote the team as it opened Candlestick Park in 1960. The song called “Bye Bye Baby was based on longtime announcer Russ Hodges signature home run call and has remained a big part of the Giants franchise.
In recent seasons a local recording artist named Ashkon recorded a series of rally songs for their playoff runs.
“2010 Don’t Stop Believing”
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2011 with Bailey “Feelin’ Like a Giant”
The San Diego Padres do not have any songs written about them.
The series will continue next week with songs of the American League West.
Frank Fleming is the creator of the Sportsecyclopedia.com