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Tuesday, May 28, 2002

By Rob Rossi, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Hopefully, Super-Stopper Mike Williams wasn't considering the background music in the Pirates' clubhouse when the Angry Young Man stopped by to ask him about possible entrance songs.

	Pirates' closer Mike Williams directs catcher Jason Kendall to a foul ball in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks last night. Williams picked up his 14th save of the year. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette photo)

We note that only because Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" was blasting from the television as Angry began tossing Willie those strange and silly questions. Anyway, Williams -- an avid hunter, country music fan and Virginia Tech supporter (his loss) -- is still in search of a tune to accompany his ninth-inning trip to the mound at PNC Park. Oh, by the way ... Willie claims the Hokie Call -- a "turkey call" commonly heard by those Techsters -- works on Mountaineers, too. Play nice, boys.

AYM: I noticed you have "Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits" in your locker.

MW: [Dips head in embarrassment] Well, we're considering everything.

AYM: Apparently.

MW: [Raises head and smiles] Surprised?

AYM: A little bit. Have you picked a song yet?

MW: Not yet, it's ...

AYM: Well, first, what are you looking for in an entrance song?

MW: Something that will get the crowd into it, something that I like.

AYM: But [hesitation] ... you like country music.

MW: Yeah, so?

AYM: Are you talking old school country or the newer junk?

MW: Uh, more of the modern stuff.

AYM: What about Willie Nelson?

MW: Everybody has their own opinion. I like Willie.

AYM: Hypothetically, what country song would you pick?

MW: I'm looking at all songs. Really, I don't have any particular song in mind. It's just going to be ... whatever.

AYM: Are you working with the organization on this?

MW: No, no, they ... you know, I really don't know how this all got started.

AYM: It's all people are talking about. I think Mark Madden nominated a Motorhead song?

MW: [Stunned] I guess everybody does have their own opinion.

AYM: I've got some suggestions.

MW: Yeah, I kind of figured you would.

AYM: "Who'll Stop The Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

MW: Yeah, that'd be appropriate for here ... this year.

AYM: "Take It To The Limit" by the Eagles because sometimes you tend to stretch out the ninth inning?

MW: See, again, there is another opinionated question from the media [laughs]. ... Yeah, that song would be a good one.

	HELP!Won't you please, please help Willie find a tune? E-mail suggestions for Mike Williams' entrance music to names@post-gazette.com (RE: Mike Williams), and we'll have the Angry Young Man pass them along to Willie. And if you fancy yourself a songwriter, lay down some track, drop a tape in the snail mail: Attn: Names & Games/Mike Williams 34 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Thanks ... now, get to work.

AYM: "The Waiting" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

MW: I've never heard of that one.

AYM: What?

MW: Sorry.

AYM: You should be. "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones.

MW: Umhfgh.

AYM: You really haven't thought about this. Don't you want that Rick Vaughn scene from "Major League" where he comes out to "Wild Thing" and the crowd goes nuts?

MW: Again, I don't know where I'm getting this type of rap.

AYM: Well, there's not a lot to do in the newsroom.

MW: Mustn't be. I listen to everything, I mean, you've seen the Bon Jovi CD.

AYM: Don't bring that up again.

MW: Everybody in the clubhouse has given me an opinion, saying "This would be a good song ... " and I do take that into consideration, whether it's country or rock or whatever.

AYM: Country is going to be kind of tough.

MW: Yeah, it does [take a while to get into a country song] and that would be ...

AYM: You could have somebody record a country/rock song.

MW: That's not out of the question, having somebody make a song. Or a CD even, throw in parts of songs.

AYM: How about a Pittsburgh band that has a country-like sound?

MW: Are there any? That's not a bad idea. You can tell people I'm looking for songs. [Winks] Any suggestions, you can give to me.

AYM: Would you agree to appear in a music video if a band came up with a song?

MW: We'd have to talk about that. It's possible ... anything is possible.

AYM: It's Pittsburgh, though ...

MW: And there's nothing wrong with Pittsburgh. [Shaking his head] What's wrong with Pittsburgh?

AYM: Nothing, I suppose; but, being that it's Pittsburgh, you do understand a polka song is always a dangerous possibility.

MW: That's actually come across in the clubhouse a couple of times.

AYM: [Stomping foot and singing] We're from the town with the great baseball park ...

MW: [Trying not to laugh] Yeah, that's not going to happen. [Gives in, begins laughing.]

AYM: Are you laughing at me?

[Mike is still laughing].

AYM: Do you have a timetable set for picking a song?

MW: Well, I don't want it to drag into the winter.

AYM: Very funny.

MW: It might be several different songs or a CD I get made.

AYM: You can have "Mike Williams' Greatest Hits" and have a Free CD Night to draw fans.

MW: With polka, country, rock and a little bit of everything.

AYM: And you can record backup vocals on the songs.

MW: No, you wouldn't want that.

Who should be next to go "Out Of Bounds" with the Angry Young Man? E-mail names@post-gazette.com.