Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy throws it back to old-school WWE days with theme music
The horns at the start of Jake McCarthy's walk-up music provide a triumphant and ceremonial backdrop at Chase Field as the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder makes his way to the batter's box.
Pro wrestling fans know the music well. McCarthy's music choice is the theme song for Kurt Angle, one of the most popular figures in WWE back in the early 2000s.
"I've had a few people grab me and say they like it. Other people say, 'What is that?'" McCarthy said.
There's a key second part of the song when breaks in the music allowed for Angle's many detractors to chant "You suck!" at WWE arena shows. A few people at Diamondbacks games get it, and apparently can't help themselves in shouting out the chant.
McCarthy knows the home fans aren't necessarily telling him he's bad at baseball, and he has a sense of humor about it.
"I don't think enough people follow it (wrestling) enough to know that. I think it's funny to know. I've had a few people tell me that I suck. There are a few security guards that tell me, 'I want to chant, 'you suck,' but probably shouldn't.' I tell them feel free, I'm walking up to it."
McCarthy hasn't watched wrestling in a while, but from ages 7 to 12, he was a big fan. He liked the way the production changed how Angle was at first cast as an All-American for fans to root for, then re-wrote his character as his career advanced.
A couple of teammates know McCarthy's music. Others have asked him where it's from while saying they enjoy it.
"We'll keep it going a little bit. Maybe I'll change it up, maybe I'll pick another WWE theme," McCarthy said. "There's so much similarity to when (baseball players are) walking up to bat and they're (wrestlers) walking out. So it's kind of designed for the same concept. I just always liked it. Walk-out music is supposed to make you feel good when you walk up."
— Jose M. Romero
Tuesday’s Diamondbacks-Rangers pitching matchup
Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:05 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-3, 4.05) vs. Rangers RHP Dane Dunning (3-3, 4.43).
Pfaadt pitched well against one of the best lineups in baseball last time out, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven Dodgers in six innings. ... Pfaadt is 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA in his last five starts, and opponents are batting .220 against him in that stretch. He is 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA and a .188 opponent batting average, with 22 strikeouts and six walks in his last four road starts. ... This will be Pfaadt's third career start against the Rangers, the second one being in Game 3 of the World Series. Pfaadt allowed three runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in that outing. ... Dunning has made eight starts this season and came off the injured list just before his most recent start. He had been dealing with a right rotator cuff strain. He lasted just 3 1/3 in his last start on May 22 against the Philadelphia Phillies and has not surpassed 5 1/3 innings of work in each of his previous six starts.
Coming up
Wednesday: At Texas, 11:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (3-3, 6.03) vs. Rangers LHP Andrew Healey (0-6, 4.69).
Thursday: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (5-4, 3.12) vs. Mets RHP Christian Scott (0-2, 3.97).
Friday: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 4.69) vs. Mets LHP Sean Manaea (3-1, 3.16).
What to know about the Texas Rangers
The Rangers ended a six-game losing streak on Sunday with a 6-2 over the Minnesota Twins, but it's been a disappointing start to the season for the defending World Series champions. Texas has lost 12 of its last 15 games going into Monday, and six of its pitchers are currently on the injured list, including starters Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray. The Rangers' bullpen has been particularly dire, ranking last in baseball with a 5.19 ERA. Star shortstop Corey Seager, the 2023 World Series MVP, has 11 home runs, including two on Sunday against the Twins, but is batting .258 this season. His OPS is down from 1.013 last season to .764 this year. Texas is using the slogan "Run It Back" this year after winning it all in 2023, and so far, the plan to run back with many of the same players that got them a championship has not gone well. A weak AL West, though, has kept the Rangers in the thick of contention. They trail the division-leading Mariners by just three games.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy has fun with his at-bat music
