The 2016 season resembled the golden age of walk-up song creativity for the South Carolina baseball program, highlighted by former starting pitcher Braden Webb's self-composed Christian rap entrance jam. Reed Scott cemented his status as the quintessential '90s baby by making the "Space Jam" theme song synonymous with the seventh inning at Founders Park. Scott's theme, fortunately, will return in 2017.
This year's crop is a fairly predictable blend of hip-hop and country, but there are a few clear frontrunners for most intimidating walk-up songs of 2017.
The Good
Chris Cullen, sophomore catcher: "Hendrix" by Wyclef Jean, 2016.
Key Lyrics: "I'ma do this one for my homies gone/ the judge hit the hammer they ain't coming home/ We all are from the danger zone/ the devil pulled the card and he said choose one."
Analysis: The track's music video stars Michael K. Williams, who played the iconic anti-hero Omar Little in HBO's "The Wire." Williams' character is best known for his signature scar and his foreboding, shotgun-wielding walk that usually precludes violence. If you see Omar coming, you're in trouble. After adding adding 25 pounds of muscle this offseason and taking over the cleanup spot in South Carolina's lineup, SEC pitchers may come to feel the same way about Cullen.
Danny Blair, sophomore outfielder: "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West, 2004.
Key Lyrics: "I walk through the valley of the Chi where death is/ top floor the view alone will leave you breathless."
Analysis: Blair's choice is the perfect encore for all of the Gamecock fans who are also trying to relive Kanye's exemplary performance at Colonial Life Arena last December. Too soon? Still, the hook is instantly recognizable, up-tempo and oddly has already obtained a nostalgic glow. There is one problem here though — every time Blair draws four balls this could start to feel uncomfortably self righteous.
John Jones, junior catcher: "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash, 2006.
Key Lyrics: "Go tell that long tongue liar/ Go and tell that midnight rider/ Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter/ tell them that God's going to cut 'em down."
Analysis: Jones brings this back from last season. Kudos to him for not changing things up after slumping in the second half of last season, because when he was twice named SEC Player of the Week last spring, the opening chords of Cash's famous rendition were downright haunting to opposing pitchers.
The Bad
Matt Williams, junior first baseman: "24k Magic" by Bruno Mars, 2016.
Key lyrics: "Players, put yo' pinky rings up to the moon. Girls, what y'all trying to do? 24 karat magic in the air. Head to toe so player. Uh, look out!"
Analysis: Williams brings some power and versatility to the Gamecocks' lineup, but if he retains this walk-up song, I might have to secretly root for him to be held out of crowded South Carolina infield. The risk of this one potentially getting stuck in my head and setting up permanent residence greatly outweighs the reward of having his bat routinely in the order.
Justin Row, junior second baseman: "It's Tricky" by Run-DMC, 1987.
Key lyrics: "This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital/ To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)/ 'It's Tricky' is the title."
Analysis: If Row was going to keep fans guessing on the true motives behind this choice — either a genuine #tbt attempt or a straight troll job — he should have just just stuck with "Ice Ice Baby."
The Ugly
TJ Hopkins, sophomore outfielder: "Whistlin' Dixie" by Randy Houser, 2009.
Key lyrics: "Daddy redneck mama half hippie/ taught how to talk straight not back or my little/ white butt get a whippin'/ I like catfish cookin on a creek bank kind you can't/ find in the city ya'll/ I ain't just whistling dixie."
Reaction: At least he isn't from Maryland and still trying to pull this off?
Prediction: There is a specific sector of the fanbase that will come around to this tune as the weather gets warmer, you know, the people who think that country music is just so "summery."
List of songs tracked by Daily Gamecock's sports editors Bobby Balboni and Carson Mason:
Clarke Schmidt - "The Stroke" by Billy Squier
TJ Hopkins - "Whistlin' Dixie" by Randy Houser
Danny Blair - "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West
Madison Stokes - "The South" by Cadillac Three ft. FGL, Dierks Bentley and Mike Eli
Matt Williams - "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars
Jonah Bride - "Unstoppable" by YFN Lucci
Alex Destino - "The Difference" by Meek Mill ft. Quavo
Chris Cullen - "Hendrix" by Wyclef Jean
Jacob Olson - "Birds Flying High" ft. Fresh by DJ Scream, Yung L.A.
LT Tolbert – "King of Diamonds" by Rick Ross
John Jones - "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash
Justin Row - "It's Tricky" by Run-DMC
Adam Hill - "I'd Love to Change the World [Matstubs Remix]" by Jetta
Carlos Cortes - "Before the Rollie" by Ace Hood ft. Meek Mill
Josh Reagan - "Get Down On It" by Kool & The Gang
Colie Bowers - "My Town" by Montgomery Gentry
Reed Scott - "Space Jam" by Quad City DJ
Disclaimer: The press box wifi and the Shazam app don't always agree, and several players on the roster did not appear this weekend, so this list is still incomplete. A list of tracks will be updated on a playlist provided by TDG Arts on Spotify.