Without fail, I’ll be approached by casual fans asking about Athletics outfielder Mark Canha’s walk-up song. Not what it is, but why he chose it.
If you attend a home game at the Oakland Coliseum, one of the first songs you’ll hear over the loudspeaker is Madonna’s “Like A Virgin.” That means Canha is about to bat.
But … why?
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“It’s kind of annoying me with how obsessed are with this,” Canha told reporters Friday. “Madonna was really good to me in 2019 when I used ‘Vogue’ as my walkout song, and that was part of the reason. I just love Madonna and her music and how it makes me feel. I’m just going to say it once and for all: My walkout song is for me. It’s for me -- and not for you. And if you like it, or if you don’t like it, it’s for me anyways, so it doesn’t matter.
“I hope you like it, though,” Canha said with a smile. “I needed to get that off my chest.”
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Canha has used Aretha Franklin for his walk-up songs as well, but whatever he chooses, it’s working.
Oakland Athletics
He has 40 hits in 44 games this season batting primarily in the leadoff spot for the first time in his major league career. He also leads the league in hit by pitches with nine.
And of course, he leads the league in music taste as well.