The Jinx is Not In

by Susan Petrone

There’s something I want to talk about but broach with apprehension,
For if you state the obvious, the Jinx will pay attention.

There is no monster in Lake Erie, of that you can be sure
But beware the Jinx who dwells within the salt mines off the shore.

The Cleveland Jinx is green and chunky with breath like stale burritos.
He wears flip-flops and a beer-stained jersey from Rocky Colavito.

When the team is doing poorly, you won’t see the Jinx,
There’s no fun in messing with a team that really stinks.

But when the Tribe shows signs of life and fans begin to hope,
The Jinx’s one-word answer is a loud, resounding “Nope.”

He’ll fiddle with the strike zone, the pine tar, or a mitt
And anything he thinks will stop a run-scoring base hit.

The Jinx can’t help it, it’s his job to purloin a winning streak
He lives upon our broken dreams and random bursts of pique.

So how does the Tribe fare? Of that of which we must not speak.
All that I can safely say is it’s been a hell of a good week.

 

Susan Patrone blogs about the Tribe at  It’s Pronounced Lajaway.

Don Zimmer, RIP

by James Finn Garner

Old Zim
When I think of him
Looks like chaw and tar
And a grand har-har
To those squares
Who don’t care
About baseball
And giving your all
For what you love.
And when push comes to shove,
Had Martinez been 70,
Zim would’ve pounded him plenty.

You’re our kind of guy.
Goodbye, Popeye.

 

Rushin’ Arc

By Stuart Shea

Only a new form
Of perestroika’ll
Stop the train
That is Dallas Keuchel.

Dead Duck Dynasty

by Michael X. Ferraro

Ask Iannetta and Kole Calhoun;
he will not forgive your trespasses.
Stick to one base or you’ll get erased
by the A’s Yoenis Cespedes.

The Oakland left fielder gunned down two runners at home plate in the second inning of Oakland’s 11-3 victory over the Angels on Saturday, May 31st.