With the start of each MLB season typically comes players selecting new walk-up songs for their at-bats during home games. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, it brings about a blend of classics from various genres and new hit-singles that can be found atop a music chart.
Cody Bellinger opted for “Alive” by Lil Jon, Offset and 2 Chainz. It was what one could expect from a rising young star. However, this season the 23-year-old has surprisingly opted for “Hotel California” by the Eagles.
Bellinger’s classic rock selection was a topic of discussion between teammates Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw, which was captured by SportsNet LA and aired during an episode of “Backstage: Dodgers.” Both veteran pitchers expressed surprise that Bellinger would go with such a song.
During an appearance on the “The Big Swing Podcast,” co-hosted by Ross Stripling, Bellinger explained how he arrived at using “Hotel California” for his walk-up song:
“I definitely do not jam to that kind of music. I came across that song somehow on my phone during a flight. When you listen to music on a flight you’re really bored, so I think you really understand music a little more maybe? I don’t know. And I really liked that song. I’d heard it before but I didn’t really know who sang it. Found out it was the Eagles, added it to my playlist and all offseason I just listened to it because I really enjoyed it. Then first week of Spring Training, we have music during batting practice, and that song actually came on. Our hitting coach Brownie was right next to me and I was like, ‘Brownie, I’m thinking about using this song. What do you think?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, I think that can work on the Dodgers’ big stereo.’ Tried it during the Freeway Series and I liked it, so I kept it. For me, it was finding a song with a cool seven seconds.”
Whether related to possible serenity from the song or his newfound beard, Bellinger opened the season on quite the tear. He broke multiple MLB and Dodgers records for play before May 1, and was rewarded with National League Player of the Month for April.
While Bellinger’s song draws a positive response from fans at Dodger Stadium, it pales in comparison to Alex Verdugo acknowledging his Mexican heritage in using ‘Volver, Volver’ by Vicente Fernandez.
