Reviving the Art of Baseball Doggerel
RIPÂ Paul Carey (1928-2016), long-time Tigers radio announcer.
The roar of a Rouge Plant furnace
Birthing a Thunderbird
The muscle roll of Gitchee Gumee
Festooned in spray
The ancient trees deep-rooted
Strummed like a lyre
The tectonic rumble of two peninsulas
Alive in summer
Each year, before the first spring training game, the late Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell would read from the Song of Solomon (2:11-12).
The Hall of Fame’s honor and riches
Ron Santo deserved without pitches.
.     But denied for too long
.     Was the man’s well-earned song
By an old bunch of sons of bitches.
.
Ron’s a hero to folks diabetic
‘Cause on the field he was super-kinetic
.     Whether diving for balls
.     Or arguing calls
Or clicking his heels so aesthetic
They called Ernie Banks “Mister Cub”
but Santo could sure be his sub
He bled Cubbie Blue
(They never came through)
For Ronnie, ah, that was the rub
Jim often posts under the pseudonym Norm Knott at LimerWrecks.
To watch for years a losing team,
He’d root and hope and sometimes scream.
Alvin D and Junior G,
Edgar M and Gaylord P,
Til ’95–a magic dream!
Familiar things he’d shout and cry…
A grand salami, my oh my!
Seattle fans will miss his call,
This one’s sailing toward the wall…
Fly away, Dave. It’s gone. Goodbye.