The Tale Of the Wayward Pitcher

by Sid Yiddish

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On the day that I was ejected from the old ballpark
Not a man spoke to me, as I was pitching a perfect game,
Old superstition singing its refrain.

All those curveballs, all those knuckleballs straight over home plate,
I was feeling so great and then it happened, top of the seventh,
I let one ball pass thru and it was smashed straight over the left fielder’s head.
Those balls were smacked left and center and right.
I knew I was dead in the water,
Just primed for the manager’s slaughter.

And then it happened, I beaned a batter in the head.
That was the end, as I was sent straight to the showers.
Changed into my street clothes and told to go home for the week.

I picked up my old battered gloves and my brand new mitts.
I knew what was coming next, the newspaper text of how it all fell apart.

I looked so promising, the manager once said to me,
But I knew the difference between promise and reality,
For in reality,
No one pitches perfect games anymore.

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For more on Sid Yiddish’s poetry, music and performances, check out his My Space page.

Posted 4/27/09

T-Bow, 2008

by Doug Fahrendorff

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Removed from the game
To a chorus of boos
After walking in two runs
He sits alone
In the dugout
Cap pulled low
Expressionless
Watching the inning unfold.
Two years before
It had seemed easy
Fastballs painting the corners
Sliders snapping under opponents’ bats.
Sadly
Fans have short memories.

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Posted 4/23/09

Anthony Claggett

by Hart Seely

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Anthony Claggett,
Your fastball, they flag it.
It floats like a maggot,
They wait there and tag it.
Throw harder, or bag it.
Anthony Claggett.

Anthony Claggett,
We’ll rip you in agate,
Your body, we’ll drag it.
Meet quim, you best shag it.
Or, otherwise, bag it.
Anthony Claggett.

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Hart Seely is the author of  Mother Goose Goes to Washington, as well as Oh Holy Cow: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto, newly released in a 15th-anniversary edition. He often hangs around the Yankee website, It is High, It is Far, It is….caught, offering tasteful and constructive comments to management and players alike.

Posted 4/21/09.

The Wings of the Bird

by James Finn Garner

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Every kid thinks that he
Could mow down the heart of the Yankees order
If given the chance,
And someday everybody gets that chance,

And it’s good luck to talk to the ball,
And cheers are love that never dies,
And the world would love you if you showed them who you really are,
And magic can happen at any time.

That kid never dies.
That kid was the Bird.

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In memory of Mark Fidrych (1954-2009)

Posted 4/15/09

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST 2009 HAIKU FORECASTS

By Stuart Shea

ANGELS
Without its K-Rod,
Sun-dappled Orange County
Prepares for a fight.

ATHLETICS
Green-and-gold adorned
Athletes play in stadia
Named for software.

RANGERS
In football country,
The titans of summer’s game
Proceed unnoticed.

MARINERS
Tho Junior returns,
Creaky knees and failing sight,
The M’s will blow chunks.

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Posted 4/3/09