Covering the Bases is the debut album by Major League Baseball pitcher Bronson Arroyo. It was released in 2005 following the Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series Championship, which Arroyo was a part of.
The album features cover versions of twelve songs — mainly modern rock hits — that Arroyo would play for his teammates while in the locker room and on the road. Musicians involved in the album included prolific studio guitarist Michael Landau, Alice in Chains/Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, and a small spoken word part during "Everlong" by author Stephen King.
Track listing
"Slide" by Goo Goo Dolls – 3:32
"Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains* – 5:53
"The Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe – 4:27
"Everlong" by Foo Fighters (featuring Stephen King) – 4:07
"Black" by Pearl Jam – 5:26
"Pardon Me" by Incubus – 3:38
"Something's Always Wrong" by Toad the Wet Sprocket – 5:27
"Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots – 5:00
"Shimmer" by Fuel – 3:14
"Hunger Strike" by Temple of the Dog – 3:59
"Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)" by Vertical Horizon – 4:30
"Dirty Water" by The Standells (featuring Johnny Damon, Kevin Millar, and Kevin Youkilis) – 3:56
*Note: "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains is listed as "Down in the Hole".
Personnel
Musicians
Bronson Arroyo - vocals, vocals (background), percussion, spoken word
Kenny Aronoff - drums
Leland Sklar- bass
Mike Inez - bass
Michael Landau- electric guitar
Tim Pierce - acoustic rhythm guitar, mandolin
John "JT" Thomas - Hammond B3, strings, Wurlitzer
Amy Keys - vocals
Kevin Youkilis - vocals (background) Terry Wood - vocals (background) Carmen Twillie - vocals (background) Clydene Jackson - vocals (background) David Isaacs - vocals (background) Lenny Dinardo - vocals (background) Johnny Damon - vocals (background) Stephen King - spoken word