Last night, 43-year-old Yankees legend Mariano Rivera made his final All-Star Game appearance. He entered in the 8th inning from the bullpen to a standing ovation with a familiar tune blaring from the Citi Field speakers — "Enter Sandman."
The Metallica anthem has been synonymous with the greatest closer of all time for well over a decade. Rivera's jog from the outfield is undoubtedly one of the coolest traditions in baseball, but is it the best use of "Enter Sandman" in sports?
(Dis)Honorable Mention: Rand Paul
Okay, I know this has nothing to do with sports, but politicians should NEVER have entrance music. PERIOD. If you get chills watching any politician walk up to a podium with "Enter Sandman" blaring, it probably means you had a bad egg salad sandwich for lunch.
6. Wisconsin Badgers Hockey
College hockey barely gets any love on the national scene, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its fair share of fervent fans — especially in the Northeast and Midwest. Here are Badgers fans packing the Kohl Center and going nuts during the pre-game introductions.
5. Billy Wagner
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Wagner became back-page fodder in New York when the closer continued to use "Enter Sandman" as his entrance music when he moved to the Mets. Fans and sports writers in the Big Apple considered it borderline heresy for someone to tread on Mariano Rivera's territory. Wagner never backed down — in true closer fashion — and recorded 101 saves a Met, though he was always in the shadow of his cross-town rival.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes Football
Before the Hawkeyes run on the field before home games, the Kinnick Stadium crowd gets amped up on a combination of AC/DC's "Back in Black" before running out to "Enter Sandman." It's always awesome to watch 70,000 fans go crazy as their team runs on the field...but it's not even the best use of "Enter Sandman" in college football.
3. Brock Lesnar
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I'll be the first to admit that other than watching the movie Warrior a dozen times I don't really know the first thing about MMA. Nevertheless, as a human being with a healthy fear of men that can crush my skull without breaking a sweat, I can say it's quite intimidating to watch Brock Lesnar stride into the octagon.
2. Mariano Rivera
He's the G.O.A.T. without question and among sports fans "Enter Sandman" is as synonymous with Mariano Rivera as it is with Metallica itself. There have been hundreds of articles about Rivera and his trademark entrance song written this week alone...but it's not No. 1.
1. Virginia Tech Football
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Yes, Rivera's use of "Enter Sandman" predates Virginia Tech, but there is nothing more chilling than everyone in Lane Stadium jumping up and down with this song blaring under the lights in Blacksburg. And before you lambast my decision...watch the video.