1. “Centerfield,” John Fogerty.

Leading off here with an American classic. (Leading off, haha, get it?) Not just inspirational for those of us who make a living in the American pastime, but also a great rock song with more hooks in it than in the oldest catfish in the pond. Show me a man who doesn’t love this song, and I will show you someone who isn’t really a man, but rather someone who is merely pretending to be a man. Also, who is to say that the “game” in question isn’t the “game of life”? It’s pretty clear to me that this is a song of faith, and that the “coach” here is actually a superstar named Jesus Christ, my personal lord and savior. But YMMV on this point, although mine never will.

2. Kirk Franklin, “Looking for You.”

For my money, you just can’t touch KF for hard-hitting urban jamz that also celebrate God. I had a hard time deciding between about 20 different killer cuts, so I asked my good friend Choo Freeman to “hook me up” and he went all “blazow!” with this song. A great choice from a great outfielder and an even better servant of The Big Commissioner in the Sky.

3. “Let the Eagle Soar,” John Ashcroft.

Go ahead and make fun of the former Attorney General of the United States of America if you want, but the man knows how to pen a pop song…and his voice isn’t too shabby either! I like to pump this up in the clubhouse before the game, just to make sure we’re all on the same page. (Man, I hope Dontrelle Willis is “one of us.”)

4. “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me,” the Doobie Brothers.

Back in my partying days, this was one of our favorite rockin’ tracks, but just because hey, nobody boogies like the Doobies! Now, of course, it has additional relevance. One of the few songs that can appeal equally to saved and unsaved alike. (Bonus points: Millie (Sarah Hagen) and Nick (Jason Segel) performing this on “Freaks and Geeks” is my all-time fave rave TV moment!)

5. “Bad Day,” Daniel Powter.

An absolutely killer song for when the Rockies get beat. That, of course, is pretty infrequently, this year, thanks to the heroics of Garrett, Matt, Jason, Choo, Todd, and the other men of faith that make up our Purple Warriors. But every team loses sometimes…when it happens to us, we crank up the Powter and have a good manly cry. Hey, remember: “Jesus wept” too. It’s therapeutic!

7. Jewel, “Pieces of You.”

There’s nothing not to love about Jewel: her voice, her words, her nimble guitar playing, her adorable smile, her snaggly tooth. Not to mention the way she fills out a peasant blouse! Hey, just because God fills me up doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu!

8. Clarence Carter, “Strokin’.”

This is a very ungodly song that refers to unenlightened behavior, onanism and other unsanitary sexual practices, and bad guitar playing. But man, we used to love it back in the days. I have this one stashed in my “classical music” playlist so no one else finds it. (Don’t tell, all right?)

9. “Rich Girl,” Gwen Stefani f/ Eve.

I love this because a) it is based on a song from my favorite Judeo-Christian musical of all time, b) being a billionaire, I have a soft spot in my heart for “rich girls,” and those who want to be rich girls, everywhere, and c) there isn’t a red-blooded American anywhere who wouldn’t want to fill that sandwich. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that. But hey, look on the bright side: another penace opportunity!

10. “Teen Titans Theme (Polysics CR-06 mix),” Puffy AmiYumi.

Okay this rocks like a beast.

Charlie Monfort is the owner and CEO of the Colorado Rockies, the God-lovin’est MLB franchise around. 2006 is turning out to be the best season in club history.