The Game Itself – Page 5

Slanguage by Siergey #10

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Originally appeared in The Chicago Baseball Magazine.

It might be …

In 1945, Harry, the great-grandpater,
Told beer-fueled stories about Cardinals like Stan the Man.

It could be …

Harry’s son, Skip, made calls straighter,
As straight as a Braves arrow off the bat of Hammerin’ Hank.

It is!

Skip’s boy is a charismatic Chip off the old block.
First with Gramps and the Cubs; then Dad and the Braves; and now the Cards.

A home run!!

In 2024, Chris joined the Caray MLB broadcast stock.
A’s fans hear echoes in this descendant of baseball’s royal family of bards.

Holy Cow!!!

These joyful announcers hit an inside-the-ballpark family-four-bagger.
Calling games for the A’s, Cards, Cubs, Braves, and Sox with swagger.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!!!!

Four generations talkin’ baseball lore.
Harry Christopher Caray: I, II, III, IV.

Two weeks of contests in Paris
Of every conceivable style
Athletes honed like hardened steel
Ladecky, Tebogo, Yee, Li, Biles

What focus and determination
To swim, box, dive, run, throw
Pushing their mental endurance
And how far their bodies can go

They remind me of what John Kruk
Once told a hotel lobby hater.
He said, “Lady, I ain’t an athlete–
I’m a baseball player.”