by Kevin Canfield
In the nineteen seventies, relievers
Climbed to an elevated echelon
Heat throwers and inventive deceivers
Their names formed a wholly new lexicon
Goose, Tug, the Mad Hungarian, Sparky
Esteemed, oft-mustachioed game-enders
The vanguard of bullpen hierarchy
Chucking sliders, heaters, splitters, benders
Starting in ’76, an award—
Sponsored by Rolaids, ace heartburn stopper—
Ensured they were never again ignored
The trophy? A gold firefighter’s topper
Check out pics of the era’s top savers
Sideburns, beards, goatees—infrequent shavers
Kevin Canfield is a Mets fan who has canceled cable until football season. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and other publications.