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Observation

by Stephen Jones

Item: MLB and MTV
Tries to create something glitzy—

A “field of dreams” designed to lure,
Fusing the game with pop culture.

If baseball wants the 12-34 fan,
It should think very hard about its brand.

The NBA has King James;
Likewise, football has big names.

Sure, baseball players also score
Big figures at the big-cash drawer,

But when that’s done, who remembers
The names, faces—or even numbers?

Where are baseball’s market tags—
The “somethings” of which it brags?

Baseball may self-tinker with the game,
But what it needs is names of fame.

 

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Spring 2015

by Nathan Rudy

My Mets will win games, that much is clear,
With Harvey, deGrom and others this year.
If Cuddyer can hit, and Flores finds his mitt,
We won’t toss Alderson out on his ear.

But the best is out west, in the dry Vegas air,
Pitching their hearts out as arm tendons tear.
Matz, Monterro and Thor now are great,
But can’t reach the majors ‘til 21 days late.

So fans of the Mets will continue to fret,
Ownership’s bank account hasn’t recovered yet,
And hope for a year when we surpass 81,
And get to the playoffs ‘fore this century’s done.

 

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Rendon, Rodon and Rondon

by James Finn Garner

Rendon, Rodon and Rondon
Were drinking beers one day
Their waitress Babs then served the tab
But couldn’t get it paid

For Rendon tore his tendon
When reaching for his dough
And the harlots down in Charlotte
Had left Rodon with diddly-oh

Rondon’s wing was in a sling
His back pocket much too far
So poor old Babs had to eat the tab
And banned them from her bar

 

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National League West 2015 Spring Training Haiku

By Stuart Shea

Diamondbacks
One perfect lesson:
“Toughness” is no replacement
for smarts and talent

Rockies
The car will not go
if Car-Go cannot go for
more than half the trip

Dodgers
If Vin Scully calls
a game on SportsNet LA,
does anyone hear?

Padres
Best way to catch flies?
Simple. Put shit in your field!
Oh, wait…they’ve tried that

Giants
The World Champions
now go begging for alms to
replace their lost pence

 

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National League Central 2015 Spring Training Haiku

By Stuart Shea

Cubs
A Sure Thing is not
called “A Sure Thing” unless it
hasn’t happened yet

Reds
Jason Marquis back?
Surely this is a sign that
the world is ending.

Brewers
For one final spring,
Aramis Ramirez tries
to avoid diving

Pirates
Could Clint Hurdle
be the Bucs’ final hurdle
to winning a title?

Cardinals
Some with a fresh start
Will soar higher than they could
Down in the southland