Things have changed since the last time the Nationals heard their own walk-up music. So Thursday, as they ready to play their first home game in a week and a half, seems like the perfect time to examine the biggest question surrounding their biggest star, Bryce Harper: How does he choose his walk-up music?
“Flower” by Moby
Harper does not hurry from the on-deck circle to the batter’s box when the time comes. He saunters — or perhaps struts — depending on who is describing it, taking a second to adjust his shinguard again, then to get his bat ready, then the batting gloves.
The whole process leaves plenty of time for his song to play and set the mood. For as long as he plays, Harper plans to hear only “Flower” by Moby, an otherwise obscure piece of electronic music, the first time he makes that slow trek each night.
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“I keep ‘Bring Sally Up’ every time,” said Harper, inadvertently replacing the song’s title with its most memorable lyric, though Moby probably does not mind. “That’s the main one I will keep for the rest of my career.”
Harper seems to have a profound sense of legacy. He chose No. 34 because of Mickey Mantle, but not Mantle’s No. 7. Someone had made No. 7 famous, or beyond famous — legendary, really. But 34, that could be his.
He has a logo, like Michael Jordan and LeBron James, though his “BH34” does not yet have that level of recognition. He has a signature move, the post-homer hair flip and a signature sign-off, the “I Love You” sign he sends his mother after every home run. He has a routine, which includes being the first player onto the field for the Nationals every night, except on Max Scherzer’s more amped-up evenings.
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In other words, Harper is aware that repetition creates meaning, creates history, creates a star. Derek Jeter had the nod. Big Papi had the spit-and-clap. Alex Ovechkin has those yellow laces.
Continuity is a building-block of legend. Jeter’s star grew because he was a lifelong Yankee. Cal Ripken Jr.’s presence was stronger as a lifelong Oriole. The nuances of building legacy are not lost on Harper, who still has two seasons of Nationals legacy to write and has always wanted to “hoist that World Series trophy over the monuments.”
“Fearless” by Kendrick Lamar, ft. Nas
Harper’s second at-bat song this year is hip-hop, with the kind of beat that makes everyone a littler cooler for having heard it and lyrics that could convince anyone the change is going to stick.
“Eh, I am the greatest,” blare the words of Kendrick Lamar’s song and leave no room for equivocation. Even in his most humble moments, Harper’s belief in the power of his talent has never wavered. He still does not self-deprecate. Perhaps it fits.
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Harper has also used “The best is yet to come” by Frank Sinatra in this spot, an ode to the Rat Pack and his Vegas roots. Harper is hitting .324 in his second at-bat against starters this season, a stat that does not split up his home and away showings nor count rare games in which the starter does not last until Harper’s second turn.
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
Harper always likes to have some cheerful country music in his walk-up repertoire, a mood-lightener and a reason to smile. This year’s selection is Sam Hunt’s hit, “Body like a back road,” a calm and catchy one.
“I love that song,” Harper said. “I sing it every single time I go up there until I get to the box. I’m probably still singing it when I get in the box.”
In the past, Harper has used Florida-Georgia Line songs and similarly positive, pleasant country tunes for at least one at-bat a game.
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“American Oxygen,” “Le Freak,” etc.
Earlier this season, Harper chose the 1970s classic “Le Freak” for his fourth walk-up song. A few weeks later, he was back to Rihanna’s “American Oxygen,” a late-inning choice from last year. He will almost certainly switch again.
“I like old-school stuff as well, so I throw that in there occasionally — ’70s, ’80s,” Harper. “Just depends on what I’m feeling that day, that week. Or if [his wife] Kayla hears something she likes, I’ll throw that in.”
The showman in him is undeniable, though just as he will say he has room to improve as a player, he also thinks his walk-up repertoire is still lacking something.
“I’ve always wanted a singalong song to walk up to,” Harper said. “I haven’t really found that one yet, that one fans can sing along to.”
More Nationals:
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Why Koda Glover and Yasiel Puig nearly came to blows
Baker on Glover vs. Puig: ‘There’s a lot of testosterone’
Scherzer growled and snarled at the Dodgers last night.
Michael A. Taylor is finally blossoming in everyday role
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