by James Finn Garner
Can anyone turn back the clock?
Should LaRussa skipper the Sox?
Beyond being Jer’s buddy
The rationale’s muddy
Some mistakes are indelible, like Hawk’s.
He Is Arozen
by Michael X. Ferraro
Tampa Bay fans’ new novena:
“Randy Arozarena”
Walks on Sunshine, with Katrina:
Randy Arozarena
His bat shoots flames, yet burns cleana:
Randy Arozarena
Hits like Joe Greene, only “Mean”-a:
Randy Arozarena
The Court of Slumps can’t subpoena
Randy Arozarena
Go Get ‘Em Tigers
by James Finn Garner
The blue plastic transistor radio
I snuck into
Sister Geraldine’s class
That October
Poured heavenly images
Into my ears
The centerfielder moved to short
The old lion roaming in right
The brawny arms of Willie the Wonder
The soulful stare of Mickey Lolich
And the plate Freehan protected from Brock
NONE SHALL PASS!
All the saints and martyrs
Bringing a miracle to Motown
Narrated by the voice of God
In a sweet Georgia baritone
Superheroes Playing Pepper
Memoir by Dan Spinella
When the yellow and red Rheingold truck was parked outside of the apartment, we knew that Dad was home and we were going to a ballgame.
We’d pile into the truck, the smell of beer permeated the cab, and drive to Brooklyn and Ebbets Field. It seemed like a ride that went on forever. From wherever we parked, we could see the Ebbets Field rotunda.
We’d run ahead of Dad, who’d buy grandstand tickets, then we’d walk into the green afternoon at the ballpark. Down below, but not too far away, were Reese and Campanella, Snider and Hodges, and most strikingly Jackie Robinson. Playing pepper.
We knew it was possible to have heroes and witness their feats of small greatness tucked away in our seats in our baseball home.
Life Lessons for a Cleveland Fan
Memoir by Stan Klein
growing up in a city with a marginally competitive baseball team prepares one for life.
finances are always a problem, a constant lack of supportive friends, and a lifetime of consistent doubt.
the team can never afford the ideal of standard stars, so they have rosters full of talented problem players or those with curious issues with daily living, along with the majority of eager faces with spotty talent, filled in with aged players hoping to qualify for a pension.
mostly people like the ones you will end up working with in your day-to-day existence.
the experience gives you keys to understanding and eventually finding a humorous acceptance of disappointment.
have your championships, give me more vern fullers, duke simms, and joe charboneaus. no wins just smiles at our own shortcomings.
Stan Klein is an artist, gallery director, and former Little League umpire.