You’re not here for a long explanation of why we’re doing this (even though the explanation isn’t long, it’s just that Alex went down a rabbit hole on Rap Genius one night). So let’s cut to the chase: it’s the Tipping Pitches Superlative Awards for the best (or most esoteric, or most personally intriguing to us, or worst, or most confusing, or whatever!) baseball references in hip hop history. Feast your eyes and ears!
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The Line That Displays the Most Baseball Knowledge
Wale — “Legendary”
“This that anti-Mark McGwire. It takes patience for power.”
The Most Topical Line
R.A. The Rugged Man – “Tom Thum”
“My flow natural, you artificial, beefed up Barry Bonds at BALCO”
The One That Leaves Us With the Most Questions
Kutt Calhoun – “Get Kutt”
“Just like a fastball from my n**** Zack Greinke,
My pants a lil’ baggy and my breath is kinda stanky”
The Most Mailed-In (Line with the Least Research)
Jay Z – “All Around the World”
“Konichiwa ladies when I’m out in JapanI’m a Tokyo Giant like Ichiro, I am”
(I don’t know man, buy Tidal or whatever if you wanna listen to this.)
Honorable mention
Jay-Z — “Crown”
“Scott Boras, you over babyRobinson Cano, you coming with me”
(If you do end up buying Tidal, let me know and you can log in to our website and embed the video here.)
References to Players from the Tipping Pitches Extended Universe
Here are some of our favorite references to Tipping Pitches Guys — our favorites to talk about or laugh at.
Alex Rodriguez
No comment necessary. Thank you to 2 Chainz for your service and scholarship.
Curt Schilling
CyHi The Prynce – “Cydel Young”
“If I ever make a millionI don’t want to lose it all; Curt Schillings”
Stop, stop, he’s already dead!
Ken Griffey Jr.
Kid Sensation (feat. Ken Griffey Jr.) — “The Way I Swing”
If there’s one thing I could recommend to anyone who’s come to this article, it’s play this whole song straight through right now. If you do nothing else, do this.
Rickey Henderson
XV – “U.F.C.”
“Don’t let me eat, I’m Ricky Henderson, I’ll steal a plate”
Justice for Rickey Henderson (the coolest baseball player ever and the logo of this podcast), who only has two references in the history of hip hop.
The Baseball Encyclopedia Award (Presented by Sponsor To Be Named Later)
Winner: Action Bronson
Connoisseurs of baseball hip hop are no strangers to Action Bronson’s prolific MLB references. Action hits everything from Dillon Gee, to Randy Velarde, to Rickey Henderson and more. His remembering of some guys is truly unmatched.
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