by Jim Siergey
Despite his frame so lank
You could take it to the bank
That balls into seats he’d yank
Adieu, Sir Hammerin’ Hank
100-Year Anniversary
by Stephen Jones
Too much to say, briefly,
About the Negro Leagues
And 100-year anniversary,
But one word,
One word of history –
Like a diamond legacy,
Despite past society –
Is a jewel
In the field of green dreams:
Empowerment.
John Henry Lloyd
by Michael Ceraolo
Occasionally a writer would call me “the black Wagner”,
and Honus was gracious enough to say
he was honored by the comparison;
I felt equally flattered by it
Some in later generations wondered
why we didn’t protest our exclusion more
I can’t speak for anyone else,
but my way of protesting was to play my best
against the white major leaguers
whenever we got a chance to play against them,
and by my play disprove the reasons usually used
as a cover for bigotry,
knowing our chance would come eventually
even if it was too late for me personally
Plus, I got to play ball for a living,
something not too many are able to say
Published in the Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Spring 2020
“Negro Baseball League” by Jean Grae (feat. Natural Resource)
“Few More Deservin'” Hall of Famer
by the Village Elliott
When Musial died, I really couldn’t name your
Oldest surviving Baseball Hall of Famer;
Learned at 97, Red Sox Bobby Doerr
Is oldest, while three others 90 or more:
There’s Albert “Red” Schoendienst who is 92,
Now Yogi, who last month just turned 90, too.
Still, third one is older; his powerful swing
Helped Giants of Gotham earn World Series ring.
Respect of the Franchise is still evident;
Invited by new champs to meet president.
Like year-older Red Sox, a star before War,
In the Negro, not Major Leagues (white like Doerr),
The player Branch Rickey first wanted to sign.
Branch wouldn’t compensate team, so Jackie broke line.
In two years he breaks Giants’ pale color scheme.
In two more, breaks Brooklyn hearts, bums Jackie’s team,
Big part of the Miracle of Coogan’s Bluff.
Mentored team’s prodigy: He taught me Right Stuff.
I was Negro League vet, but Majors raw rook,
He helped me to adjust, showed me what it took;
Was like my big brother, still is to this day,
A true Hall of Famer, says Mister “Say Hey.”
First Big League black exec, broke that color line.
Soon enters through “front door” of Cooperstown shrine,
Mid-80s, retires, stays active in game;
Jints retire number, still honor his name;
For long life in baseball, few more deservin’
Than young 96-year-old Monte Irvin.
(Adds Willie: First glove in the Big Leagues I score,
A MacGregor endorsed by Red Sox Bobby Doerr.)