“We do functional MRI scans,” Rogalsky said, “and during MRI scanning we are looking at changes in blood flow to different parts of the brain while they have headphones on and are, for this example, listening to a tone or melody that they have never heard before.”īecause it takes only a few seconds, athletes tend to have those last-second songs that can give them their final push to an excellent performance. “It only takes our brain a matter of a few seconds to hear those notes and instantly start thinking of those emotional memories again.”ĭoctors and researchers were curious at how the brain reacted to not just music but just words in general, so they came up with a way to test the reactions. “Our brains are really good at detecting familiar melodies or songs, so you don’t need words as you know, if you are listening to the radio and you hear those first few beats and you’re hooked,” Rogalsky said. Between making a huge and impactful play that makes the crowd jumped to their feet, to winning a championship, a song is often attached to that memory according to several athletes who were interviewed.Īnd when the brain hears that song, it can take only seconds to trigger that memory. Many athletes talk about specific events that happen to them. I’ll just put them in and lay down and sleep and make sure I get my rest so I am ready,” “I listen to a lot of different music, I mean country, rock, rap……relaxing throughout the whole tournament,” said Zahid Valencia, Arizona State’s 174-pound NCAA wrestling champion. This is why athletes tend to stick to a routine when prepping for a game: the same food, same exercise and same playlist. Another of the top baseball songs would have to be Meat Loaf's “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” The play-by-play breakdown in the middle of this track is unforgettable.Įddie Vedder wrote his song, “All the Way,” in honor of the Chicago Cubs and Jay-Z mentions the New York Yankees in his hit, “Empire State of Mind.” Bob Dylan's “Catfish” is an ode to the pitcher Catfish Hunter.Do you have a favorite baseball song? Add it to the lists and vote any other tracks you like to the top.Those athletes wearing headphones while they warmup are actually stimulating parts of the brain to heighten skills and memory.Ĭorianne Rogalsky, an assistant professor of speech and hearing science at Arizona State University, said, “When the amygdala is active it increases our ability to consolidate memories, which is why when we hear that emotional song before the big game….you sort of trigger emotionally that part of your brain.” “Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today/Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today/Look at me, I can be centerfield,” he sings on this great tune.

John Fogerty's “Centerfield” is a classic baseball song.

Several good rock songs that reference baseball have been written over the years. Many baseball songs are written about specific baseball players, but a few are about specific teams. Baseball is America's pastime, so naturally, several songs have been written about the sport. Here is our list celebrating the best songs about baseball, ranked by your votes.

Hype music for baseball