The Roger Clemens Trial, So Far
by Stephen Jones
5 weeks & 3 dismissed jurors later
(jurors having fallen asleep
during counsel’s endless
seemingly pointless examination
& then by law let go)
this trial has exceeded boredom
is now treading in dysfunctional limbo
& has left a bitter taste:
day-by-day less truth is being
oberved/served & one could wish
somebody would call off the whole
thing on account “of legal rain”
“The Ball Game” by Wynona Carr
From the YouTube poster: “Gospel singer from the 50′s that switched to R&B music but never received the recognition she deserved on earth. She wrote this song and another popular song entitled, “Operator”.” You can find out more about her on Wikipedia.
Drought at the Plate
by Hilary Barta
One hundred and four, nothing yet
One hundred and four, not a threat
All those years, win or lose
Always cheers, never boos
One hundred and four of regret
Hilary Barta was recently interviewed by the Chicago Tribune about the upcoming Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. They didn’t mention his Cub fandom, but it’s obviously there between the lines.
The Ballad of Scott Podsednik (Sung to “I’m Movin’ On”)
By Joyce Heiser
Came out of high school, stayed in Texas awhile
Seems he just couldn’t make it all seem worthwhile
He’s movin’ on. He’s movin’ on.
Rangers said “So long son, go enjoy the sun”
He’s Marlin gone.
Minor leagues kept trading, kept cutting him loose
Never was the engine, just a little caboose
Seven years rolled on, they just moved on.
Finally majored a run in 2000 and 1
Would they keep him on?
Another year came and another deal too,
Milwaukee got him in 2002,
He still moved on, he was there and gone.
Led the league in base steals, tried to keep it real,
But they moved him on.
Chicago was home for a few good years
Got a World Series ring, a girl with bunny ears,
He’s carryin’ on, maybe he’ll stay on.
But another year came, and another ball game,
He packed and was gone.
Up in the mountains, till 2009,
Back to bat that year in the White Sox line,
Another movin’ on, another hometown gone.
Even though he had fans, Chicago had other plans
And they let him move on.
One year with the Royals, still stealing some base,
Let him go to the Dodgers, problems slowing his pace.
Trouble movin’ on, released and on his own.
Try up North, play the West, half-a-year at best
So he’s movin’ on.
Finally landed in Philly, more like Lackawanna
Scranton doesn’t really sound like baseball nirvana.
Will he be movin’ on? Sing that travelin’ song?
Thirteen teams, eighteen years, Hard to change your gears
And keep movin’ on.
A Pair of Odes to Chris Davis
………………………………………………………………………………..
Taking Higher Ground
by Michael X. Ferraro
Chris Davis’s 0-fer-8 night ended in bliss.
Five times did the DH swing-swing-swing and miss.
So, post-platinum sombrero, why the big grin?
‘Cause he tossed two scoreless and picked up the win.
………………………………………………………………………………..
The Ballad of Chris Davis
by Stu Shea
How does a player go 0-for-8
And still win himself the game ball?
Move from DH to the pitching mound
And make major-league hitters look small.
