There has been some buzz on Twitter for some reason* about the John Fogerty song "Centerfield." It seems many people feel like this is a great song, perhaps even the best baseball song. I believe deeply, as Nick Offerman has said so eloquently, that everybody should get to like what they like without having to endure the taunts and carping of others. And so if you are one of those people who loves "Centerfield," I want to say to you: Enjoy it. Love it. Don't let anybody break your stride.The Reason: On Monday, Rustin Dodd and Andy McCullough of The Athletic listed the "Top 30 Greatest Baseball Songs Of All Time". The list featured songs by Pavement and The Strokes and Kenny Rogers, but "Centerfield" was nowhere to be seen. That's it. That's the buzz.
Man do I hate that song, though. I mean, seriously, what a malcontent. The coach has already decided to sit you, buddy — maybe because your homemade bat is terrible. You're not Roy Hobbs, OK? Buy a bat. And quit bragging about how new your shoes, we don't care.
I applaud Dodd and McCullough for actually doing some work and unearthing songs that most likely have never been on a Greatest Baseball Songs list. Most lists like this are compiled lazily, recycling the same songs.
However, their #3 song is the aural excretion "Talkin' Baseball". It might not be my most hated song ever, but it sure comes up a lot in the conversation. The List states: "This song, objectively, slaps." I have no fucking idea what that means. And I don't care.
The following songs are not on that list (or any other, as far as I know). I like them.
More like "The Day Dock Went Hunting Reds"!
I think "Talkin' Baseball" deserves inclusion for no other reason than it was hilariously parodied in "Homer At The Bat."
ReplyDeleteTalkin' Homer, Ozzie and the Straw.