Phillies: Top 5 Songs We Miss Hearing at Citizens Bank Park
By Matt Rappa
4. Starting Lineup Song
So, we have heard The Sound of Philadelphia, have our hot dogs, game programs, etc. purchased, and are in our seats ready for 7:05 p.m. to come.
One of the last pre-game items on the Phanavision entertainment agenda is announcing the starting lineups around the time lineup cards are exchanged at home plate.
Public address announcer Dan Baker takes the mic near home plate, announces the away team’s starting lineup, and then, this song begins to play:
This song is unique in that we usually do not hear it by itself, only underneath the Hall of Fame-worthy voice of Baker as he announces the Phillies’ starting lineup. The song does not have a known name, as it is a mashup of existing classics, including Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom.
As part of MLB’s #OpeningDayAtHome social media campaign, Baker announced in a fun video the team’s potential, would-be starting lineup with this song playing. Hopefully, fans will be able to hear the song once again in-person.
5. Home Run Song
Last but not least, the home run song. Another way late great broadcast Harry Kalas is remembered is by having his iconic “This ball is outta here” phrase played after each home team home run.
We had plenty of home runs to celebrate at home during the 2019 season, especially from the Phillies’ new superstar outfielder Bryce Harper.
After the home run and the playback of Harry’s call on the loudspeakers, usually what follows is a special “home run” song, similar to songs played after NHL teams, like the Flyers, score a goal.
These songs can change from year to year, but 2019’s EDM-style rendition surely did not take long to become engrained in our minds and appreciated by all.
So, from “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” to “High Hopes,” “TSOP,” the starting lineup song and the home run song, there surely are a lot of memorable tunes heard at Phillies games from start to finish.
Of course, who could forget the National Anthem? Although, this list focuses on songs that are unique to Phillies games, specifically.
What song is your favorite? What one do you miss the most?
If fans are not allowed back in the stadium in the 2020 season, it will be long overdue to hear these classics once again at Citizens Bank Park come March or April 2021.