The Dodgers didn’t just get one of baseball’s best relievers in their deal with Edwin Diaz on Tuesday, they also acquired arguably the sport’s top closer entrance as well.
The former Mets superstar has sprinted out to mounds to the sounds of “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet for years, and as he’s piled up saves, it’s quickly become a fan favorite.
Some have even considered it perhaps the MLB’s best ever — so as he gears up to bring the show to Dodger Stadium, let’s revisit the most impactful pitcher walkouts America’s pastime has ever seen.
Honorable Mention
Charlie Sheen helped introduce casuals to the idea of closer walkouts with his iconic Ricky Vaughn portrayal in “Major League.” While fictional, no movie buff or seamhead will ever forget “Wild Thing” and Vaughn’s classic stroll to the bump.
John Smoltz had a couple walkout classics after he transitioned from starter to reliever with the Braves, but the time he came out to “Dancing Queen” by ABBA will forever be etched in baseball lore.
Similar to Smoltz, Craig Kimbrel once used a walkup song that drew laughter — “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” The Dodgers closer had the song blare as part of a 2022 Women’s Day homage, but he stuck with it for several weeks after it seemed to bring him luck, which delighted fans.
5. Jonathan Papelbon — “I’m Shipping Up To Boston”
The former Red Sox closer made the Dropkick Murphys hit his signature during his time in Boston, and whenever it began playing at Fenway Park, it sent crowds into frenzies.
Papelbon used it for years, but ditched it for Alice in Chains’ “Man in the Box” after he signed with Philadelphia following the end of his Red Sox tenure.
4. Eric Gagne — “Welcome to the Jungle”
The Dodgers superstar’s entrance wasn’t exactly the flashiest or most unique, but there was a multi-year stretch that, when the Guns N’ Roses song played at Chavez Ravine, Dodgers supporters knew their favorite team was getting a win.
3. Trevor Hoffman — “Hell’s Bells”
The Padres Hall of Famer and the AC/DC classic teamed up for so many saves in San Diego, they practically became synonymous.
From the moment the song’s first bell tolled to the second Hoffman toed the rubber, Padres backers were enthralled.
2. Edwin Diaz — “Narco”
While not as seasoned as others on this list, it’s hard to find a better entrance than the one Diaz has been using at Citi Field the past few seasons. Between the trumpets, the lights and the overall atmosphere it’s all harbored, Mets fans are surely going to miss it as he bolts for Los Angeles in 2026.
1. Mariano Rivera — “Enter Sandman”
Though it lacked the lights, scoreboard graphics and fanfare some of the game’s other top closers had, it’s impossible not to put the Greatest of All-Time’s entrance at No. 1 on this list.
Rivera first debuted the “Metallica” hit in 1999, and for over a decade, opposing batters knew runs were going to be hard to come by when the song blared through stadium speakers.
