Suggestions for Papelbon's new song

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AP Photo/Matt SlocumPhillies fans are eager to hear what Jonathan Papelbon will use as his entrance music.

Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon says he has no plans to use the Dropkick Murphys' "Shipping Up To Boston" as his entrance music now that he's a Philadelphia Phillie. That's for the better, probably; Papelbon wouldn't make it past the warning track if he tried trotting out to the mound with a Beantown anthem as his calling card. ESPN Music asked lifelong Phillies fan, musician and audio engineer Mike Kennedy (Audible, BC Camplight, Lefty's Deceiver) for some suggestions that would be better-suited for Papelbon's tenure in the City of Brotherly Love.

"Eye Of The Tiger" by Survivor. The obvious choice. Sure, it'll get the stadium amped; Philadelphians still love all things Rocky Balboa. But this particular fist-pumping ode to perseverance is way played-out. Maybe instead, he could go with a curveball like ...

"One on One" by Hall and Oates. This classic by the Philly duo speaks of the timeless showdown at the heart of the game: Batter vs. Pitcher, one on one. I wanna play that game tonight. However, this smooth selection is probably not going to get people on their feet, unless it's to slow dance. Or boo.

"Summertime" by Will Smith. Smith may have left 215 for the tonier environs of Hollywood years ago, but this "slightly transformed" groove is still the quintessential warm weather celebration of the boys (and girls) of summer in Philly.

"Echoes Myron" by Guided by Voices. We suggest this sprightly rocker by the Dayton, Ohio, indie band primarily for the line "endurance like the Liberty Bell." A poetically apt description for a man who has 219 career saves and an ERA of 2.33 over six seasons. But since many Phillies fans probably haven't heard of Guided by Voices, we will stick with a Philly favorite:

"Duck Down!" By The Roots. Put aside the poor sportsmanship issues suggested by this song's title (and some language issues in the lyrics). This tense jam by Philly's legendary Roots Crew is the perfect scene-setter for a ninth-inning duel: "Yeah we getting ready to break y'all, it's winner take all. The game is locked we down to the eight ball." Yeah, that should do the trick. PLAY BALL.

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