How Edwin Diaz’s entrance song at Mets games caught fire and where it ranks among best in MLB history

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It starts with a menacing melody, one that swirls all around the Citi Field stands. A shadowy figure emerges from metal gates just as the drumline kicks into gear.

Then, the trumpets come in. They blare through the stadium speakers, their flowery rhythm capturing the hearts and minds of the thousands who made the trek to Flushing to watch their beloved Mets play. With just three outs left in the game, New York is on the precipice of victory. So why not greet their opponent with a requiem of defeat?

It is Mets closer Edwin Diaz’s entrance song. And it is glorious. The horns. The groove. The way it evokes so much about Diaz’s personality. It’s truly a sight to behold:

And it’s one of the biggest spectacles of the 2022 MLB season. Diaz has been electric all year long — he’s averaging an absurd 18.1 strikeouts per nine innings and looks a lock for the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year award.

Diaz’s routine clearly is paying off in a big way. But how did he get to using the funky track. And who really has the best walkout songs in MLB history? Sporting News has you covered.

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What is Edwin Diaz’s entrance song?

Diaz’s entrance song is called Narco by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet. The song has been out since 2017 and is accompanied by a pretty sick video portraying a knight going on a long and sordid journey by horseback. Because of course it does.

Why does Edwin Diaz use Narco as his entrance song?

The origin of Diaz’s decision to use the track with a thumping trumpet is unknown at the moment. However, one thing is clear; “Narco” made a big impression on Diaz, who opted to select the song as his go-to walkout track while in Seattle.

Fueled by his pitch — and track — selection, Diaz found success. In 2018, he racked up 57 saves with a 1.61 ERA, earning Cy Young and MVP votes in the process.

When Diaz was dealt to the Mets in 2019, he made a change. He found a new song — “No Hay Limite” by Mike Woodz.

Diaz proceeded to have one of the worst seasons of his career, blowing saves left and right en route to a hideous 5.59 ERA. Yuck.

In 2020, Diaz made the switch back to “Narco.” It’s been smooth sailing ever since.

“In 2020, I wanted to do everything that gave me success back in my Seattle days,” Díaz said last season, per MLB.com. “So I decided to go back to that. I’m going to stay with it because I feel comfortable with that music, and it kind of motivates me and energizes me to go out there and pitch.”

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Diaz isn’t the only one it motivates. Recently, even Mets manager Buck Showalter admitted to being a fan of the experience that was Diaz’s walkout. He delayed a ninth-inning trip to the bathroom to watch Diaz come out. That’s an impressive feat.

Mets fans are even getting in on the action. One fan is even planning on using the track on his wedding day. Look at Diaz, so inspirational.

Best entrance songs in MLB history

MLB history is littered with great relievers capable of making batters whiff with ease. But only a precious few have had entrance songs that can match Diaz’s. Here’s The Sporting News’ take on the best entrance songs in MLB history:

10. James Karinchak, “Wild Thing”

Karinchak is one of the most entertaining figures in baseball. He’s loud, fiery and throws absolute filth. He also embraces the team and city he plays for, employing the “Wild Thing” theme to great effect. He gets points for the nod to Major League, as well as his burgeoning reputation as MLB’s latest version of Rick Vaughn.

9. Felix Bautista, Omar’s Whistle

Omar’s coming…

“The Wire” is one of the finest shows in television history. And although there are valid criticisms of the show’s portrayal of Baltimore, it’s hard to deny its impact on the American psyche.

Few characters have evoked as much fear as Omar Little, a beautifully nuanced character played by the late Michael K. Williams. When Omar was coming, it was time to head into the house.

Bautista has paid homage to Williams and his character this season, using a recording of Omar whistling as he was walking down the road. It intimidates batters while doubly paying tribute to a phenomenal actor we lost far too soon.

8. Koji Uehara, “Sandstorm”

“Sandstorm” is one of those songs that everyone knows, but no one knows they know. It’s an absolute fixture of sporting events across the world. And Uehara kept the song’s lineage going, using it throughout his Red Sox career. Oh, and he won a title with it.

That’ll get you on the list.

7. Trevor Hoffman, “Hells Bells”

Hoffman was a force on the mound, amassing 601 saves, an MLB record (until a certain someone smashed through it) en route to a Hall-of-Fame career. And nothing embodied his ability to strike fear into the hearts of hitters more than his use of the AC/DC track “Hells Bells” when leaving the bullpen. Wailing guitars and fearsome drumbeats have never sounded as intimidating as they did when Hoffman was making the trek to the mound in a one-run game.

6. Kenley Jansen, “California Love”

There’s nothing more West Coast than 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman. And Kenley Jansen, one of the best closers of his generation, paid homage to the synths and groove of 1990s West Coast hip hop by using the classic tune as his walkout song throughout his Dodgers career.

Jansen, now in Atlanta, enters games backed by the dulcet tones of Jermaine Dupri’s “Welcome to Atlanta.” But no matter how far he strays, Jansen’s heart will always belong to the Chavez Ravine.

5. Brian Wilson, “Jump Around”

Picture this: it’s the early-2010s and you’re an MLB batter. You’ve just had to deal with eight innings of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain or Madison Bumgarner. Now it’s the top of the ninth and you see a bearded dragon of sorts headed to the pitcher’s mound. What song is dancing in the background? None other than House of Pain’s banger, “Jump Around.”

Wilson was a crucial part of the Giants’ 2010 championship squad. But it wasn’t just his beard — or his filthy pitching — that drew attention. His appreciation of 1990s culture manifested in his use of “Jump Around” as his entrance song. And it was one of the defining sounds of San Francisco’s dominance in the early-2010s.

4. Jonathan Papelbon, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”

At his peak, there were few closers as consistent as Jonathan Papelbon. The six-time All-Star made his bones at Fenway, notching 219 saves between 2005-2011.

Papelbon seemed to embrace the working-class community that surrounded him. And he showcased that relationship with his walkup song selection — “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Massachusetts natives the Dropkick Murphys.

3. Eric Gagne, “Welcome to the Jungle”

Gagne was the power pitcher of the early 2000s. He notched 84 consecutive saves, winning the NL Cy Young award in 2003. His fastball regularly exceeded 100 mph despite playing in an era when that wasn’t all-too-common.

All of this is to say, Gagne was great. So too was his song of choice for his mound walkout, Guns N’ Roses’ classic, “Welcome to the Jungle.”

Chills baby.

2. Edwin Diaz, “Narco”

Is it too early to place Diaz here? Possibly. But “Narco” is so groovy that it’s hard to deny that it deserves a spot on the list. It’ll take a lot of work to dislodge the No. 1 here. But Diaz has been one of the best relievers in baseball when backed by the EDM track with bits of jazz in it.

Also, it got 66-year old Buck Showalter to postpone a bathroom break. That’s always going to get you No. 2 placement on the list.

1. Mariano Rivera, “Enter Sandman”

There could only be one. The GOAT closer has the GOAT entrance song. “Enter Sandman” is a certified classic. It’s menacing. It’s Metallica. And it’s magnificent.

Now when you combine those three with Mo, the greatest reliever to ever live, well, you get absolute perfection. The image of a confident Rivera staring down his pray as he makes his way to the mound is seared in a lot of our minds.

And given the fact that Rivera secured 652 saves and countless sawed-off bats while accompanied by the iconic track, it’s undoubtedly the best entrance song in MLB history.

Honorable Mentions

These two pitchers may not have been known for their entrance songs. Rather, no one would remember the song(s) playing when John Rocker and Heath Bell entered the game. They stole the show by showing off their wheels sprinting from the bullpen. 

Really, any pitcher who sprints to the mound receives an honorable mention.

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