by Fred Lovato
‘Neath a clear blue sky
Jays-A’s play sixteen innings
Major League sunburn
Applause, Please, for the Retirees
by James Finn Garner
As the season ends and the playoffs loom,
Let us pause a sec and make some room
In our doggerel feed for those athletes
Who’re hanging up mitts and jocks and cleats.
The Jints will miss ol’ Hunter Pence
Of flaming beard and glare intense.
After so many seasons, Bartolo Colon
Will finally get to shower alone.
Minnesotans, pray to your higher power
For another guy even close to Mauer.
Now David Wright, Mets’ grand old man,
Will have to watch them choke from the stands.
With the Angels’ collapse, Mike Scioscia
Might do well inspecting for OSHA.
Chase Utley being out of the game
Frees me from trying to rhyme his name.
And with no regrets, let’s bid adieu
And good riddance to Chief Wahoo.
Yankees 7, A’s 2
by Stephen Jones
October’s sound, sound of the word
Rolling like bronze-bell clamor:
Sweet victory ringing in the ears;
Yankee Stadium roaring for more.
Now, for Pinstripes, looms Boston.
October can be a month long.
Yanks 7, A’s 2: You Be the Judge
by Raphael Badagliacca
Let’s settle all this controversy
And throw ourselves on the court’s mercy
About who likes beer and how many
And who should play
And who sit on the bench
And even how absurd it is — a witness named Judge
There is only one who’s earned anything supreme
And his name is Aaron.
Yankees/A’s Wild Card Match
by Stephen Jones
I am unbiased:
I root for the Yankees.
Severino will start tonight
And all of us hope: just
Show up for the big game.
After last night–a torrential rain
And twisters here and there–
The home field is green,
Today is light autumn-fine, and
Tonight should be good.
I see the roster, in my head.
I wonder about expectations,
And I think:
Just show up for the game.