Texas Rangers Manager Jeff Banister says it’s important to relate to his players on their level, understand what makes them tick, and he’s borrowing a page out of an NFL team’s playbook to do just that.
“I’m kind of locked in to the 70’s music being played, something I can recognize,” Banister says. “This is my high school, by the way, no doubt. It’s got me a little charged up this morning!”
And that’s the idea, getting his team charged up at practice.
Following a trip to the Seattle Seahawks’ summer camp, the Rangers coaching staff brought back the idea of putting speakers all over the facility.
“You kind of have to lean in to hear what the coaches are saying as far as what drills are rolling, but there’s something different everyday,” explains Relief Pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen. “One day it’s country, the next day it’s latino music, the next day it’s rap, reggae, so they do a great job of mixing it up.”
“[It’s] fun. Really fun!” says Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. “You’re singing in the field. You know the song. Come sing it. Dancing a little bit. You know, I think it’s more excitement, more energy.”
So who gets to choose the music?
“Usually it’s Prince, it’s Beltre, those guys,” says Jayce Tingler, the outfield coordinator. “We got off the bus two days ago and Banny had a kick or something, and he heard some beat and said we’re going 70’s-80’s, some kind of funk music, and obviously he has top selection on what he wants to listen to.”
And if all ends well this season, some “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang may be in order!
