When a new closer is named, there are a number of changes that need to be made. When the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tony Watson was named the team’s closer after the departure of Mark Melancon, those changes included new walk-up music and a new video package.
Watson chose “Sweet Emotion,” an Aerosmith song off the band’s 1975 “Toys in the Attic” album.
“The song was by default,” Watson said. “I wanted ‘When the Levee Breaks,’ but Jamo’s got that one, and I’m not going to take it from him. We (were) just bouncing around songs in Milwaukee, and we settled on ‘Sweet Emotion.’ We thought it was a good song.”
A lot of times, a closing pitcher’s song has some kind of meaning to it — but not for Watson.
“Honestly, I just liked the song,” he said. “There’s no hidden lyric, no meaning, no secret I’m looking for. I know with Grilli, he liked the lyrics on his, and Hanny (Joel Hanrahan) had Slipknot, which was from back home. I’m just looking for a beat to go with a video that the fans can enjoy.”
When it came time for the video, Watson said the video team could do whatever they saw fit — with one caveat: He wanted previous Pirates closers in the video.
“It’s for the fans,” Watson said. “There’s a lot of history here and, since I’ve been here, we’ve had some really good bullpens and closers, so I thought it would be cool to tip the hat to those guys.”
Pirates relief pitcher Jared Hughes is a good friend of Watson’s, so Hughes wasn’t surprised Watson wanted Mike Williams, Mark Melancon and Joel Hanrahan — among others — shown on the PNC Park jumbotron.
“I’m not afraid to admit that I got a little emotional seeing that entrance video last night,” Hughes said. “I saw some history with the Pirates closers, and it was a special moment. (Watson’s) worked really hard to get (here) and is a class act, no doubt. He definitely respects those that came before him, and it’s par for the course.”
Anyone who knows Watson likely isn’t surprised by his tribute, and he offered a simple explanation for it.
“It’s not all about me. I’ve learned a lot from those guys,” Watson said. “I’m not a big ‘me’ guy, I don’t enjoy talking about myself or watching video of myself. It’s cool to be able to have that and even be able to get the opportunity to have something played when you get into the game.”
Music aside, Watson is embracing the ninth inning for what it is: a chance to save the game for his team.
Watson embraces that mindset and that adjustment from reliever to closer, where he’s counted on night in and night out. Though his first night (Friday) in the his role at PNC Park didn’t go his way, he continues to learn.
“I like to think it’s another inning, but, obviously, there is some adrenaline going, especially the first time out in front of your home fans and they are behind you,” Watson said. “I got it out of the way, but hopefully we can get on a roll and settle in.”
Image credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America
