Turning Up The Dude: The 2022 Walk-Up Playlist

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Turning Up The Dude: The 2022 Walk-Up Playlist

February 11, 2022 | Baseball, Joel Coleman

Here are the songs you’ll hear when your favorite Bulldogs hit the diamond this season.

By: Joel Coleman, Senior Writer

STARKVILLE – You know you're a Diamond Dawg fanatic if you're cruising down the road, "Your Love" by The Outfield starts blaring on the radio, and all you can think about is a sun-soaked Dudy Noble Field and Jake Mangum striding to the plate.

Or if every time you hear Johnny Cash's gravelly voice singing of how you can run on for a long time, but sooner or later, God's gonna cut you down, the only image in your brain is that of Jonathan Holder trotting in from the bullpen in left field ready to slam the door shut on a Mississippi State foe.

MSU baseball walk-up and walk-out songs have become the soundtrack for springs in Starkville. But just what goes through the minds of the Bulldogs as they settle on a song for their at-bats or pitching appearances?

"You've got to find something the fans can get into," says outfielder Brad Cumbest, who's used a pair of familiar tunes in his time at State, first "Mercury Blues" by Alan Jackson and now, "John Deere Green" by Joe Diffie.

It seems to be a common philosophy. Don't just find a song that's a personal favorite. Find one that the folks from the Lofts, to the Lounge, to the berms, to the grandstand can get into.

"It's all about the crowd," infielder Tanner Leggett said, before adding some qualifiers. "Nothing too high. Nothing too low. It's got to be personal a little bit."

This season, Leggett is going with Michael Jackson's "Rock With You". He felt it hit all the right marks.

"I like a little groovy music – something that gets me going and gets the crowd in it and I think everybody likes Michael Jackson," Leggett said.

"Rock With You" already has one fan. State outfielder Brayland Skinner gives Leggett's selection two thumbs up.

"I really like his," Skinner shared.

Skinner can't say the same for everyone. Flashing his recognizable smile, Skinner couldn't help but pick on a teammate. When asked who might've needed some help in choosing a good walk-up, Skinner was quick with the response.

"Davis Meche," Skinner said while grinning. "I can't even remember his, but I'm sure he picked something crazy."

The Meche pick? "Here Comes The Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze. Despite Skinner's joking, it's a tune that'll almost assuredly get feet tapping out at the ballpark. So, too, will Skinner's – "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco.

What other jams will you be hearing this spring? Here's the full Mississippi State walk-up/walk-out song playlist for 2022: