Ranking Clemson baseball's top walk-up songs, including hits by Kanye West, Chris Stapleton
CLEMSON — Billy Squier's "The Stroke" will always be a staple of Clemson baseball. During the seventh-inning stretch after "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," Tigers players and fans clap together to the 1981 song at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to ignite the team for the final two and a half innings.
The sixth-ranked Tigers (32-7, 13-5 ACC) lead the ACC's Atlantic Division and are 22-5 at home this season. They are looking to reach the College World Series for the first time since 2010. If Clemson reaches its goal, there will be memorable walk-up songs — snippets of popular songs played as a batter walks toward the plate or a pitcher takes the mound — linked with the team forever.
“We have a few good ones," Clemson infielder Jacob Hinderleider said. "'Crazy Train' is up there, for sure."
Here's how we ranked the five best walk-up songs for Clemson this season.
Tristan Smith — 'White Horse' by Chris Stapleton
A white horse is a symbol for good fortunes and power, and the sophomore has delivered both for the Tigers. In his freshman year, he pitched as a starter, long reliever and closer across 24 games. This season, he started in every appearance, logging a 2.67 ERA with 40 strikeouts, 13 walks and 19 hits with a 2-0 record across six games.
As the beat builds to Stapleton's opening verse, it slows, cutting the drums with only guitars playing. The song is like Smith's pitching arsenal. He can touch 95 mph with his fastball but can mix in his slider and changeup to fool hitters.
Jimmy Obertop — 'Overdue' by Metro Boomin and Travis Scott
After a standout 2022 at Michigan with coach Erik Bakich, Obertop was lost in the shuffle after the coach departed for Clemson. Obertop went from hitting 15 homers with 54 RBIs in 234 at-bats to three home runs with seven RBIs in 60 at-bats in 2023.
Obertop, who is on pace for career highs in batting average (.301), on-base percentage (.486) and slugging percentage (.573) this season, rejoined his coach and is proving his time to play was long overdue.
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Austin Gordon — 'All of the Lights' by Kanye West, Rihanna and Kid Cudi
This song is perfect for Clemson's new closer. Gordon, who started five games for the Tigers before becoming their closer, has recorded six saves. When he enters the game, the lights are on him to deliver.
Cam Cannarella — 'Let Me Clear My Throat' by DJ Kool
The build-up to this song sets the tone just like Clemson's leadoff hitter does. Cannarella, who won ACC freshman of the year last season, is one of the Tigers' most exciting players. When this song plays, it amps up his teammates and fans to see what Cannarella will do.
Nolan Nawrocki — 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osbourne
Hinderleider believes the redshirt freshman's walk-up song embodies him precisely.
"That’s actually one of my favorites because it matches his personality really well — the kid’s a psychopath," Hinderleider said. "Nolan Nawrocki is crazy, so it fits him perfectly."
Clemson baseball 2024 walk-up songs
RHP Drew Titsworth: “Jump Around” by House Of Pain
OF Lleyton Lackey: “Good Life” by Kanye West and T-Pain
INF Nolan Nawrocki: “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
OF Jack Crighton: “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
INF Cooper Blauser: “Famous” by Kanye West
INF Andrew Ciufo: “Call Me Country” by Jon Pardi
INF Jacob Hinderleider: “Mary Wanna” by Common Kings
INF Blake Wright: “Live Your Life” by T.I. and Rihanna
C Jacob Jarrell: “Imma Be” by Black Eyed Peas
OF Cam Cannarella: “Let Me Clear My Throat” by DJ Kool
C/INF Jimmy Obertop: “Overdue” by Metro Boomin and Travis Scott
C Hideki Prather: “Baianá” by Barbatuques
RHP Reed Garris: “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco
OF Will Taylor: “Bailar” by Deorro, Pitbull and Elvis Cresoi
OF Alden Mathes: “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
LHP Tristan Smith: “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton
RHP Aidan Knaak: “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” by Quiet Riot
RHP Nick Clayton: “Cum On Feel the Noize” by Quiet Riot
INF Jay Dillard: “4X4” by HARDY
OF Nathan Hall: “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys
INF Jarren Purify: “First Person Shooter” by Drake and J. Cole
RHP/OF Ty Olenchuk: “Renegade” by Styx
RHP Luke Brown: “Get Up (Rattle)” by Bingo Players and Far East Movement
OF Tristan Bissetta: “Whip It” by BigXthaPlug
RHP Joe Allen: “Brain Stew” by Green Day
RHP Billy Barlow: “Dirt To Dust” by Jason Aldean
LHP Jacob McGovern: “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
C/OF Nick Couch: “Conga” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
LHP Justin Leguernic: “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” by Beastie Boys
LHP Noah Samol: “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix
RHP Matthew Marchal: “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton
LHP Jackson Cole: “I Don’t Want to Be” by Gavin DeGraw
LHP Ethan Darden: “Black Skinhead” by Kanye West
UT Brodey Conn: “Calabria 2007” by Enur
RHP Nathan Dvorsky: “Power” by Kanye West
OF Devin Parks: “Welcome to Jamrock” by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
C Ty Marshall: “These Words” by Natasha Bedingfield
RHP Lucas Mahlstedt: “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” by Metro Boomin, Future and Chris Brown
RHP Rob Hughes: “Words on the Streets” by Key Glock
RHP Chance Fitzgerald: “Santeria” by Sublime
LHP Rocco Reid: “Intoxicated” by Martin Solveig & Good Times Ahead
INF/OF Tryston McCladdie: “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson
RHP Austin Gordon: “All of the Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna and Kid Cudi
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson baseball's walk-up songs include Kanye West, Chris Stapleton
