So I’m in a great mood. Spring is in the air. The cherry blossoms are out. Those so familiar voices are coming out of that cheap little transistor in the kitchen telling me what’s going on in the ballpark. My Giants win their home opener, small thanks to our Cy Young winner (that was a little scary, no?). And to top off the afternoon my son pitched well in his little league game. Great way to start the regular season. So why not some baseball tunes?
America’s Favorite Pastime – Todd Snider
From his upcoming album The Excitement Plan comes a track chronicling Dock Ellis’ legendary LSD-enhanced no hitter. The Excitement Plan comes out June 9th.
Dock Ellis – SF Seals
Yet another song about Doc’s psychedelic no-hitter from an SF alt. rock band that morphed out of the ashes of World of Pooh with members Barbara Manning (28th Day), Melanie Clarin (Catheads) and Kim Osterwald. This is from their ’93 EP The Baseball Trilogy.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame – Dr. John
From the soundtrack to Ken Burn’s definitive documentary. Great collection of classic radio calls as well as some fantastic music.
Empty Baseball Park – Whiskeytown
From their staggering 1996 debut Faithless Street. This just sounds like a lazy summer afternoon when you’re the last kid who wants to keep playing.
Baseball Canto – Lawrence Ferlinghetti
A poem from a collection called Live At The Poetry Center. Plus a little intro by Bob Dylan. A must for any Giants fan.
April To October – Reckless Kelly
An ode to the greatest journey in sports from last year’s Bulletproof.
Harvey Haddix – The Baseball Project
From last year’s self titled debut by an outfit put together by veteran rockers and fellow baseball fanatics Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate) and Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows) with Peter Buck (REM) along for the ride. This one sings the praises of a criminally unappreciated hurler.
3rd Base, Dodger Stadium – Ry Cooder
From his 2005 album Chavez Ravine, a deeply heartfelt document of a Mexican-American neighborhood in Los Angeles that disappeared overnight in a sleazy deal to lure Walter O’Malley’s Dodgers to Southern California.
To get all of it in a zip file right click here: Opening Day Mix zipped
