by Fred Lovato
Shohei on the mound
despite strong showing, loses
Angels’ bats silent.
Shohei on the mound
despite strong showing, loses
Angels’ bats silent.
With each passing game
Shohei’s intentions made clear:
must out-Babe The Babe
Hard-hitting Shohei
crushes homer to right field
breaks sound barrier
Ninth inning drama
Shohei fans Trout — Japan wins!
So much for friendship.
Photo: New York Times
With apologies to Dylan Thomas
Do not hit gently into that ground out,
The ball should fly, although you’re down today;
Rage, rage against losing in a rout.
Though wise men know they can’t all be Mike Trout,
Because hard contact is most productive, they
Do not hit gently into that ground out.
Ellen Adair is an actor, with recurring roles on shows like “The Sinner,” “Homeland,” and “Bull,” and a contributing analyst to the MLB Network show “Off Base.” Their book of poetry, Curtain Speech, is available from Pen & Anvil Press. They also host the podcasts “Take Me In to the Ballgame” and “Love Takes Action,” and draws baseball players by commission.