With the crossover between awards season and the start of the MLB season, it is only right to compare the two. On February 2, the Grammys were held in Los Angeles, and brought big wins to many talented artists. Among the biggest winners were Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé.
In the country category, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to ever win Best Country Album. Beyoncé also won her first Album of the Year award for Cowboy Carter. In honor of this big win, here are five songs off of the album that can be related to MLB teams.
Courtesy of Blair Caldwell
AMERIICAN REQUIEM - New York Yankees
“For things to stay the same, they have to change again | Hello, my old friend | You change your name but not the ways you play pretend”
Courtesy of Scott Galvin / Imagn Images
In the title track, Beyoncé challenges the traditional stereotypes in country music, and calls for more Black influence.
In a baseball context, these lyrics can fit the New York Yankees. In the 2023 offseason, the team traded for Juan Soto while he was on an expiring deal, hoping to win it all before potentially losing him. In the end, they lost Soto to the New York Mets after falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. In order for things to stay the same (getting to the World Series), they have to change again (signing new players to take over for old ones).
BLACKBIIRD - Cleveland Guardians
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night | Take these broken wings and learn to fly | All your life | You were only waiting for this moment to arise”
Courtesy of The Associated Press
In the next track, Beyoncé covers a song from the Beatles, and invites several Black women in country music to appear. Blackbird represents finding a new way to live after losing.
When superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor was traded in 2021, no one expected the Guardians to continue their playoff appearances. They missed the playoffs that season, lost in the Division Series to the Yankees in 2022, and then missed the playoffs again in 2023. In 2024, the Guardians found their way back, and made an appearance in the Championship Series. With a weak American League, the Guardians can continue this luck this season.
PROTECTOR - New York Mets
“And I will lead you down that road if you lose your way | Born to be a protector, mm-hmm | Even though I know, someday, you're gonna shine on your own | I will be your projector, mm, mm-hmm”
Courtesy of Benny Sieu / Imagn Images
This song, including a feature from her daughter Rumi, allows Beyoncé to take on a more vulnerable approach. She sings about how she will protect her children until they can go off on their own.
An interesting way to approach this song would be in the form of the Mets good luck charm of the 2024 season. When the McDonald’s character Grimace appeared in front of Mets fans to throw the first pitch, no one knew that it would turn into the rally cry of the season. Whenever the Mets would go through a rough patch, fans would ask for Grimace to return to Citi Field. When Grimace came back, the Mets made it to the Championship Series.
16 CARRIAGES - Seattle Mariners
“Sixteen carriages drivin' away | While I watch them ride with my dreams away | To the summer sunset on a holy night | On a long black road, all the tears I fight”
Courtesy of Stephen Brashear / Getty Images
This next track represents young women growing up, and having to choose their own career path. Beyoncé sings about how it is often hard to look back on the life she is leaving, but the life ahead is exciting.
Before the 2024 All-Star break, the Seattle Mariners led the American League West, and did not show signs of slowing down. The Houston Astros were having one of their worst starts in recent memory, and it seemed like the Mariners would finally end the Astros’ reign. After the break, however, the Mariners hit a bump in the road, and did not perform the same. They fired their manager, and had to watch as the Astros took advantage of the downfall.
BODYGUARD - Los Angeles Dodgers
“They couldn't have me | And they never will | And sometimes I hold you closer | Just to know you're real”
Courtesy of Getty Images
In this last track, Beyoncé sings about wanting to protect the person that she loves, and how she never wants to let them go.
The Dodgers have had one of the most memorable offseasons in recent history. It is beginning to seem like they are signing every free agent, and other teams don’t even have the chance to catch up. Free agents are flocking to the Dodgers due to their star-power, and this song can relate to the free agents telling other teams that they never had a chance. Sometimes, you have to admire the Dodgers, because what they are doing does not seem real.
Edited by Giana Robertaccio
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