Baseball Parity, Chicago Parody

by Dr. Rajesh C. Oza

Had the Dodgers
Lost just one more game,
This sub-600 season woulda been lame.

The winning percentage
Of most every other team,
Was surely a parity-lover’s dream.

Leaving aside the Angels, Marlins, Rockies,
And the historically bad White Sox,
All the other ballclubs had their shots.

Within sniffing distance of the wild card,
A couple of wins here and there
Woulda given your team a playoff share.

If the Mets and Tigers coulda
Advanced to the second round,
My Cubbies, too, shoulda stuck around.

Yeah, there may be MLB pair-a-tee,
But as Steve Goodman’s Dying Cubs Fans know
They still play the blues in Chi-ca-go.

Dr. Oza’s novel Double Play on the Red Line sits at the intersection of Ernie Banks’ Cubs, the Negro Leagues, riding the El, wrongful convictions, immigration and friendship. It will be published in October 2024 by Chicago’s Third World Press.

2024 Class Honors

by James Finn Garner

The Hall of Fame’s had guys
Named Mordecai,
Rabbit, Gabby, Ducky,
Old Hoss
and Kiki,

Lefty, Frankie, Connie,
and Pie,
Grover, Honus, Napoleon,
Dizzy, Dazzy
and Cy.

Now there’ll be a Todd?

Feels odd.

 

NL West 2023 Spring Training Forecast Haiku

by Stuart Shea

Arizona Diamondbacks
The sun shines hottest
On the king of the hill, but
How strong are your arms?

Colorado Rockies
Nobody can hear
The landslide coming until
The season’s ruined.

Los Angeles Dodgers
All your spring wishes,
Your summer smiles, meaningless
Until October.

San Diego Padres
Unlucky last year?
The key crops did not produce.
This is not a test.

San Francisco Giants
Grandson of the Wind
Carries major talent and
Great expectations.