Jhoan Duran’s first two appearances as the Philadelphia Phillies’ closer have drawn significant attention for their dramatic entrances. On both Friday and Sunday nights against the Detroit Tigers, Duran completed his warmup pitches in the ninth inning before The Undertaker’s gong sounded throughout Citizens Bank Park. Known as “the Durantula,” he walked down the bullpen stairs and onto the warning track while the stadium lights turned red. Farruko’s “El Incomprendido,” mixed with “Hot” by Pitbull and Daddy Yankee, played over the speakers as fans waved flashlights on their phones.
“I still feel incredible,” Duran said. “It’s amazing.”
Duran’s arrival has prompted comparisons to other notable entrance songs used by Phillies closers in recent years. The list includes Brad Lidge, who saved 100 games from 2008 to 2011 with Drowning Pool’s “Soldiers” marking his entrance, recalling his perfect save record during the 2008 season and World Series run.
Billy Wagner, inducted into the Hall of Fame after recording 59 saves for Philadelphia between 2004 and 2005, used Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” His debut generated excitement among fans similar to what is being seen now with Duran.
Other memorable entrance songs include Tom Gordon’s use of Queen’s “Flash,” Brett Myers choosing P.O.D.’s “Lights Out”—which played before he clinched the NL East title in 2007—and Matt Strahm bringing back Tim McGraw’s “How Bad Do You Want It?” after seeing Tug McGraw’s plaque in the bullpen.
José Mesa chose Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69” due to its personal significance; it was one of his first English-language albums after arriving in the United States. Jonathan Papelbon set a franchise saves record while using Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and Meek Mill’s “Bout That Life.” José Alvarado has most recently used Toño Rosario’s “Me Olvidé de Vivir.”
The list continues with Jeff Hoffman (Kid Cudi’s “Alive”), Ryan Madson (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”), Héctor Neris (Musicologo’s “Bum Bam Ven”), Craig Kimbrel (Guns ‘N Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”), Corey Knebel (Godsmack’s “Rocky Mountain Way”), Seranthony Domínguez (several songs including Rema and Los Dos Carnales), Ian Kennedy (Metallica’s “Sad But True”), Ken Giles (Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail to the King”), and Jeanmar Gómez (Julissa’s “El Gran Yo Soy”).
These selections reflect both personal taste and moments that have become part of Phillies history.
