My top 5 closer songs

There is a lot going on these days with the new GM, our dreams of a DFA for Mathis, Gold Glove awards, and the potential for the free agent silly season. But I wanted to write about something beyond all those things: Closer songs.

It is a subject that has been discussed before by other writers (and probably somewhere on HH, although I couldn't find it in a quick search) but it was something I found myself daydreaming about the other day after I left the adult hardball league I play in. (I'm struggling with getting older).

To the point, I was imagining what song I would go to battle to if I were a Major League closer.

There have been some good ones over the years. Mariano Rivera and Billy Wagner had Enter Sandman. Gagne had Welcome to the Jungle. AC/DC is consistently around.

I often feel, though, that these tunes fall into a stereotype of the defacto hard rock/metal bands mantra of closer songs. While they seem appropriate, I hope to add some ideas that maybe aren't totally off that track, but are a little more unique or at the very least, cool.

Without further adieu, and with a nod to "High Fidelity", My All Time Top Five Closer Songs:

5. Iggy Pop and the Stooges - "Search and Destroy" I knew I was going to do an Iggy song on this list and I was leaning toward "I wanna be your dog" because the arrangement and guitar riff are dark and ominous, but the song itself is kind of self-loathing in an angry way. So I went with the straight-forward rock song. I am here to end you.

4. The Black Keys - "I Got Mine" Solid blues rock duo. They absolutely kill it in this song. (Side note: Saw them live a couple years ago when this album came out at the Glass House in Pomona. Ridiculously amazing show. Blew me away, much like Jordan Walden often does to the enemy). It could pump up the crowd and it can (if you allow for some interpretation leeway) represent the battle between a closer and a batter. I got mine (my best pitch) let's see if you can beat it. And if I beat you, I got mine (which is a win and a save).

http://youtu.be/qLCrgQ7DR44

3. Sam and Dave - "Hold On (I'm Coming)" What's better than some soul for a time that needs someone to step up and and put the game on their shoulders? It's fun, funky and spells out exactly what is going on. The game is on the line, we need someone to lead us to victory, to win the day, to beat back the villains in our way and only one man can do it. Hold on everyone, I'm coming to save the day.

2. Rinocerose - "Get Ready Now" Short story: One time while in college my roommate and I had a song off. We each would choose a song to compete against the other for supremacy. He went with some loud techno thing-a-ma-jig. It was crazy and wild. I chose this. I won. Now, it would need some editing because it is long and the intro and between parts are quiet and slow. But the main chorus is loud, intense, and gets you FREAKIN PUMPED! GET READY NOW!

1. Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child: This song was made for this. If someone hasn't ever used it as one, it is a damn shame and someone should adopt it. Just imagine, that smooth opening guitar riff as the closer struts out from the bullpen and then BOOM! It hits you with a kackaling riff before opening into an epic solo as the closer goes into full sprint. The crowd roars! Not to mention, the lyrics are good too. "I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand." Ya Dig? If that wouldn't get the blood pumping, the crowd cheering and strike fear into the heart's of men, I don't know what will. Plus, it would be one righteous m'fer taking the mound. (Note: While some might jump to Ervin Santana given the name of the song, I would hesitate. The guy doesn't have the swagger to pull this off) 

HM: Kings of Leon - "On Call", James Brown "Sex Machine" (because wouldn't it be just awesome, right?)  Velvet Underground - "White Lite, White Heat" (for obvious reasons), Massive Attack - "Angel", Spoon - "Back to the Life"

Let the discussion begin. Feel free to chastise away, add your own favorites or just give me a glowing review for some kick ass songs.