Zack Greinke adopts 'Careless Whisper' as new at-bat music

LOS ANGELES -- When Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke was batting in the fifth inning, he fouled off a 3-2 pitch but the Dodger Stadium sound crew, perhaps thinking his at-bat was over, or perhaps feeling so unsure, played a familiar first few notes before quickly realizing they jumped the gun and shut it off.

But the cat was already out of the bag, especially to fans of 1980s music. Zack Greinke, in the on-deck circle, had new at-bat music, and not just any at-bat music. If you heard those first few notes you'd know it, because I know you're not a fool.

It was 'Careless Whisper' by Wham.

This seemed like an obvious prank played on Greinke by one of his teammates, like on May 1 when Joc Pederson batted to four different boy-band songs, and hit a grand slam after Hanson's 'MMMBop' was played.

But this was no prank. Greinke chose this song himself, and in fact wanted it played earlier in the game, too, when he batted in the third inning.

"It's a really good song, but they didn't play it," Greinke said, feigning injustice. "The first time up they played my old song."

The sound crew really should have known better than to cheat a friend.

Catcher a A.J. Ellis confirmed it was Greinke who chose the 1984 hit himself, but then again there's no comfort in the truth. Pain is all you'll find.

"He really wanted it," Ellis said. "He was excited by it."

This isn't the first time the Wham hit has been used at a ballpark. Josh Reddick of the Athletics famously adopted 'Careless Whisper' in 2014 and told the San Jose Mercury News, "The fans seem to be having more fun with my walk-up song than the actual game."

Greinke grounded out in the fifth inning, a wasted chance that he'd been given. It would be his final at-bat of the game, depriving the fans of hearing the classic hit once more on Friday night.

But it sounds like Greinke might use it his next time out as well.

"That's my favorite song right now," Greinke said. "We'll see how long it lasts for."

Up next

The Dodgers go for a second straight win on Saturday night, with Mike Bolsinger on the mound in a 7:10 p.m. PT start. Ian Kennedy starts for the Padres.