The B List: Baseball Playoffs Edition

Here’s Bernie’s performance with the Allman Brothers:

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2. Bronson Arroyo: The braided pitcher released Covering The Bases in 2005 to show off his talents as both a vocalist and acoustic guitar player. Arroyo, a member of the 2004 World Championship Red Sox team, showed off his love for Boston by ending the album with the city’s anthem: Dirty Water. Sadly for Bronson, he was traded from the Red Sox to the Cincinnati Reds less than a year later [ed. note: Also sad is that I’ll forever think he’s a douchebag].

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3. Ben Broussard: The Seattle Mariners’ Ben Broussard is the most talented songwriter on this list. Some of the tunes he’s written have been featured in commercials, on television shows and on his self-titled debut album. Check out “Deep” playing in the background during this promo for the N Network:

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4. Stan Musial: Stan “The Man” isn’t just the greatest Cardinal to ever play the game, he is also an accomplished harmonica player. Musial released an album of his playing in the mid ’90s . We found a video of Musial playing Take Me Out To The Ballgame at oddly enough…a ballgame:

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5. Jack McDowell: When Jack McDowell retired after 11 years as a major league pitcher, he started a second career as the leader of Stickfigure. Stickfigure is a hard rock band that has released four albums, and have toured the country extensively. McDowell has played with many legendary performers including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens.

6. Matt Ginter: It’s a good thing Matt Ginter is a really good picker, because he hasn’t been able to stay in the major leagues as a pitcher. Ginter has been playing banjo since he was a youngster growing up in rural Kentucky. Matt was well known for playing songs for teammates during his stints with the Tigers, Mets and White Sox. Ginter still hopes to get back to the big show in 2008, after finishing the 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple A Affiliate.

7. Tim Flannery: Tim Flannery is another baseball playin’ musician who hails from Kentucky. Flannery is a prolific songwriting guitar strummer who has released eight albums in 12 years. Critics call Tim’s music a nice blend of folk and rock, in the spirit of Neil Young and Merle Haggard. Flannery returned to the field this season for the first time since 2002, as the third base coach for the San Francisco Giants. Over the years Flannery has performed or recorded with legends such as Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett and Linda Ronstadt.

8. Barry Zito: San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito comes from quite the musical family. His father was Nat King Cole’s arranger and composer, while his mother is a famous back-up singer. Barry plays guitar in a band fronted by his sister Sally. If that isn’t enough musical Zito’s for ya, you will be happy to know that Barry’s sister Bonnie sings with the band as well. Zito picked up the guitar in 2000 to provide a creative outlet as he was quickly ascending through the Oakland A’s organization. Since that time he has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game, and a talented ax-slinger worthy of playing with the likes of Chris Isaak. Here is a video of Zito singing and playing Twist and Shout with Robert Vaughn:

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