Relaxing rap

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

The last name Thurston appears frequently on the screen of Brian Elwood's laptop computer.

With a click of the mouse, Elwood plays music and sound effects at Cashman Field. 51s infielder Joe Thurston has eight songs -- the most of any player -- he likes to hear before stepping to the plate.

As it does in so many ballparks, music is used to create atmosphere at Cashman Field. The 51s have taken it an extra step, allowing players to choose what music is played when they come to bat or take the pitcher's mound.

"Whatever I feel good with, then that's what I go with," Thurston said Monday. "It's not so much what song really pumps me up the most.

"It's just songs that I like to hear. Whatever makes you bob your head and feel good."

Rap songs by DMX, D.J. Quik and E-40 play in Thurston's rotation.

"It's just to relax me a little bit more when I'm going up to the plate," he said. "I mean, you've still got to go up there thinking about certain things that you have to go up there and do, but just when I'm walking up there, it's a relaxed mode, I guess."

While Thurston and teammates Robert Ellis and David Ross give careful thought to song selection, others on the team have no preference.

Be it Bruce Springsteen or Britney Spears, Ashanti or AC/DC, 51s catcher Tommy Davis says he can't name one song that has been played before he bats.

During the approximate 15 seconds that elapses from the moment he leaves the dugout, takes a few practice hacks and ends up in the batter's box, his mind is focused on improving his .280 average.

"I gotta worry about hitting," said Davis, who went 3-for-5 with a run and RBI in Monday's 11-5 win over Nashville. "I ain't worried about a song. I never really cared about what's being played."

Teammates Phil Hiatt, Rick Bell, Jeff Reboulet and others agree.

Before each game, the starting pitcher gets to select what music is played in the clubhouse.

When it's his turn, Ellis relies on team DJ Ross to keep everyone happy.

"Thirty to 40 minutes before the game, we kind of get a little adrenaline going," Ellis said. "The season gets long so you've got to have something that gets you going. A lot of time, music can dictate your mood."

"They've both had real good years," 51s manager Brad Mills said. "They both deserved it.

"I feel we have a few other guys here that have good years who aren't being rewarded, but I'm happy for those guys."