by Phil Lacovara
The melonhead, he was a Giant,
About steroids, he didn’t mind lyin’,
With the Cream and the Clear,
Into pitchers he struck fear,
‘Til into BALCO, the law started pryin’.
7/23/07Â
Ken Griffey, Jr., All-Star Starter
by William Barrett
Congrats to the NL’s starting right fielder: Ken Griffey, Jr.
He’s no longer scaling fences in Seattle with Sweet Lou and Jay Buhner,
And injury after injury shot down hopes of an 800-home run career,
But revive his youth and energy, this Cincinnati slugger has done this year.
This Red needs no juice;
For his sweet swing seems so pure and loose.
While Bonds climbs the all-time home run ladder,
The Kid’s humble march towards 600 makes a jealous and angry Barry less of a matter.
With the All-Star Game very near,
The fans favor Griffey it would certainly appear.
As the National League’s cleanup batter and number one vote-getter,
It could be argued that nobody did it better.
For even McGwire, Bonds and Sosa cannot say
They were clean like Junior; he did it the right way.
Posted 7/17/07, a week after the All-Star GameÂ
Junior King
by Cory Riddle
The backwards cap, the silk-smooth swing
Once again, The Kid feels like The King.
No steroids talk, no BALCO rumor–
The game has always been pure fun for Junior.
Back in the outfield, out in San Fran
If only everything had gone to plan.
An All-Star once again, out in the bay
Nostalgia knocks: dreams of Griffey’s heyday.
Posted 7/16/07
(Sorry to get to it a week after the All-Star Game, Cory)Â
Rime of the Ancient Bullpen (or David Weathers is a F***ing Seagull)
By Doug White
One after one they came into the game
From free agency and the farm
Each took his place on the mound
And cursed me with his arm
Two times fifteen blown saves
And with plenty a sigh and a groan
With belt-high fastballs and hanging curves
They gave up runs one by one
Big Klu Viewed Through Lens of Blue
Biceps like well-tempered iron,
Frightening to see,
Was Ted Kluszewski.
No shirtsleeves wore he,
Did Ted Kluszewski.
And if you asked him why, he’d
Grind you into loose tea.
In his day he was feared,
The toughest man on the Ponderosa.
But today his muscles are matched
By Sammy Sosa
And Mark DeRosa.