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.

 

All-Star Clerihews

Corey Kluber
Ain’t such a goober
As to respond to missives
From Nigerian princes.

Ross Stripling
Loves his Rudyard Kipling.
After arguing with umpires,
He enjoys stories of empire.

Alex Bregman
Claims he is the Eggman,
But we all know Elvis Andrus
Is the Walroos.

Mookie Betts
Is as good as it gets
At patiently giving curves a look-see,
and also at being named Mookie.

 

A Lim for Timmy

by James Finn Garner

Please bid adios to the Freak
Released by the Rangers this week
A warm rubber band
In the form of a man
He’s that rarest of players: unique.