Category: Extra Innings

by Jeffrey Felshman

Why should I care what happens in Queens?
What happens in Queens should stay in Queens.
I like the isle of Manhattan (you know I do),
a borough that’s lost three baseball teams.
The Mets played there for a year or two,
but then the team moved to Queens –
a place you pass through
to a place you’d rather be.

So why should I care about a team from Queens?

In Queens: travelers are served by two airports
In Queens: commuters choose subways or els
In Queens: drivers grit their teeth on the BQE
In Queens: drivers spit their bile on the LIE

Also:

In Queens: big business held a World’s Fair.
In Queens: baseball hosted three World Series.
In Queens: the locals speak of miracles.
In Queens: it’s a miracle anyone lives
in Queens.

But

When I was a kid
waiting for the train
outside Shea Stadium,
After a two-hit gem by Tom Seaver,
Backed with four hits by Cleon Jones,
A hard slide by Bud Harrelson,
A sliding catch by Tommie Agee,
Any catch by Ron Swoboda,
A clutch ribby by Art Shamsky,
then Ron Taylor in relief,

Then I didn’t want to leave
Queens.

Published 6/10/09