2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE THREE-LINE TEAM PREVIEWS

BALTIMORE

Is it too late to call Cal?
Or even Bob Bonner?
With Hernandez or Fahey, the season’s a goner.

BOSTON

The pitching staff is shot to hell.
With Schilling, Beckett, and Colon unwell,
They’re Dice-rolling at the opening bell.

CHICAGO

Will the Sox get greedy
With Crede?
Watch your back, Ozzie—or, rather, watch Joe’s.

CLEVELAND

It’s time for the talent to show.
And with any luck (please, God)…
Maybe a new logo?

DETROIT

No injury worries—not even a tinge!
When any Tiger feels a twinge,
They’ll call on Brandon Inge.

KANSAS CITY

Tote that Bale, lift that Gload,
Another long year in KC?
Or a renaissance? These kids are beginning to be.

LOS ANGELES

K-Rod,
And Vlad the Impaler,
And a bunch of young pitchers hopping out of a trailer.

MINNESOTA

No cash for Johan or Torii,
But there’s money for Nathan—within reason—
Though he pitches just 70 innings a season.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

The Yankees won’t listen to reason!!
They’ll pull out their Wang
To open the season!!

OAKLAND

What’s that sound from the Street?
Is it Foulke music so sweet?
Oh, it’s Rich Harden’s shoulder, grinding like meat.

SEATTLE

Half the team has reached the big three-oh,
And aside from Ichiro,
There’s a lot of “don’t know.”

TAMPA BAY

They sent Longoria to Triple-A
To reduce his service time? Feh!
This franchise is still the pride of Mephistofele.

TEXAS

Trouble children, like Bradley and Hamilton,
And a pitching staff
Of no wheat and all chaff.

TORONTO

Toronto has Coats.
Maybe they’ll avoid
A cold April.

Posted 3/31/08

Today, Tomorrow, Next Year!

by Nate

There once was a team from Kansas City
That other fans always seemed to pity.

“They show up some nights.”
And mostly they’re right.

About Sluggerr they think, “Just a kitty.”

But MY Royals and theirs aren’t the same.
I live and die with every game.

My boys always fight,
And light up the night.

Of my Royals I am not ashamed.

Things will be different next year.
A winning season is oh so near.

To crops, they’re the cream.
And it won’t be a dream

To toast a championship with a beer!

Posted 7/26/07

The Running of the Tartabull

by Sandy Marshall

Danny,
Oh Danny,
The heart of a bull.

Hey, Danny,
Go, Danny!
The “Star Well” is full!

Now Danny!
It’s time Danny!
The son of Jose’ . . .

Stand Danny,
That’s right, Danny,
It’s time now to play.

Breathe, Danny,
On deck, Danny,
You just left the hole

Now hit, Danny,
Home run, Danny –
Grand Slam Tartabull!

Brett On, George Brett

by Sandy Marshall

Brett on, George Brett.
Pine tar would do
But that was never you.
Instead . . .
You chose Skoal.

Brett on, George Brett.
The homers you’d hit
And we’d never forget
As they’d land in the fountains of Kansas City’s Mitts.

BRETT ON, George Brett.
You signed a card one night
At a Mizzou game at Hearnes Center,
That’s right.

Bud Black was there too.
But you . . .
Were the main draw.
Yes you.

BRETT ON!

Posted on 6/29/07.

Mike MacDougal

by Stu Shea

 

The Royals were frugal

And traded Mike MacDougal.

Chicago now employs him–

He turns ballgames into kugel.