by Doug Fahrendorff
First time to the show
Team long out of playoff contention
An opportunity
To make an impression
Before next spring
First game
First at bat
Boyhood dream realized
Thanks to all who helped
Along the way
Slack of Interest
by Hilary Barta
It’s a crying, spectacular shame
Though I try, can’t get back in the game
.     So egregious the trading,
.     My allegiance is fading
Is free agency sacking to blame?
Astros and Debits
by James Finn Garner
If Houston’s the most valuable franchise,
As Forbes Magazine did just say,
Then our economic assumptions
Are a foundation made of clay.
To be valuable, apparently, is to
Never spend your cash, just hoard it,
Yet I keep hearing the voice of Chico Marx:
“For us not to play, you couldn’t afford it.”
My Yankees (Labor Day)
by Stephen Jones
Labor Day – fulcrum point for a reason.
Now teams play for a season.
The Yankees (for example) swing to October,
But this may not be a season to remember. . . .
Except for the injuries, drugs, and media . . . this team
Has played the game with a solid dream.
Our posture? Live in New York and inhale
“Jeterian.” The ballpark air is not stale,
My Yankees are not in the grave.
I always dream the pinstripe brave
And hope that, somehow, in the tight race
The Yankees get a wild card place.
The Agony of the Agate
by Michael X. Ferraro
Baseball in August creates many jobs
for travel agents and typesetting slobs.
Rehab assignments, Triple A spot starts,
Pennant aspirants shopping for spare parts.
Roster gods move in mysterious ways–
David DeJesus, three teams in five days?
Colin Cowgill’s grin, Billy Buckner’s frown.
Holy Toledo, Phil Coke’s been sent down!
Some guys can’t clear waivers; others released,
Plus one salary dump in the NL East.
(The Mets helped Pittsburgh in a deal most absurd—
Just tossed them a Buck and flipped them a Byrd.)
Eduardo Sanchez, gone from the big club.
But Ma Arrieta, Jake’s now a Cub!
Brad Boxberger sighs, packs for the bushes.
John Axford heads where the playoff push is.
Contenders reload, pretenders cut bait.
Hey Tuffy Goseswisch, Reno’s your fate.
Jose Constanza the Braves did recall,
with hopes that he’ll help them deep into Fall.
Philly’s less Savery—no Joe in the bigs;
Report sir, at once, to the Iron Pigs.
Ross Wolf’s been optioned to Round Rock Express,
while the Dodgers scooped up Edinson Volquez.
One-line transactions, a queer kind of fame.
Vic Black, you’ve become “Player To Be Named.”
Xavier Avery’s now a Rainier,
maybe Seattle, he’ll see you next year?
Michael X. Ferraro is a writer/producer/lyricist who scans the fine print daily to make sure he hasn’t been outrighted to Lehigh Valley.