This article was originally published by NBC Sports.
Shortly after the trumpets sounded on Sunday, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz pulled up YouTube on his phone.
A tweet showing his entrance from the bullpen to the mound as the trumpet line of the song “Narco” blared from the Citi Field speakers had just gone viral, drawing comparisons to Mariano Rivera’s iconic entrance to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
After seeing the debate on social media, Diaz said he pulled up YouTube and typed “Mariano Rivera’s walk-up” into the search field to rewatch an entrance he had seen many times before.
And which entrance is better, Edwin?
“I know my walk-up song is really good, but him and ‘Sandman’ was really special," Diaz told NBC before Tuesday's game between the Mets and Reds. "He had like 650 saves with that song.”
Mets starter Max Scherzer has been in the building for Diaz’s entrance and Rivera’s entrance. Perhaps he can pick a favorite?
“They’re each great,” Scherzer said. “I hope [Diaz] can keep this song going for the rest of his career and everybody loves it. Cause when you hear ‘Enter Sandman,’ even today, you think of Mariano Rivera. When you hear ‘Hells Bells,’ you think of Trevor Hoffman. So, hopefully he keeps this going, and when you hear the trumpet, you think of Edwin Diaz.”
That certainly is the case of late. The entrance gained increased attention Sunday after SNY filmed and tweeted a theatrical version of the walk-up, following Diaz to the mound as the crowd cheered and the trumpets played.
The high-energy instrumental by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet has become the top hit on the Citi Field soundtrack, electrifying crowds like the signature closing song at a concert.
“It’s really popular right now,” Diaz said. “Everybody likes it here in New York, especially. All over the place I saw on social media the last couple of days, everybody is talking about the walk-up song. So, that’s nice.”
For the Mets and their fans, with Diaz establishing himself as the most dependable closer in the league this season with 26 saves and a 1.39 ERA, it has become the anthem for a near-certain victory.