by Michael Ceraolo
I was the first American enshrined
in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame
for the many tours we made in the county,
for providing instruction as well as entertainment,
for assisting the start of professional baseball there,
and I’m proud to be so honored
As for the American Hall,
most of the blame for why I’m not in
can be placed on my stubbornness
First Miller Huggins, and then Frank Chance,
wanted me to give up pitching and play the outfield full-time,
but I refused, which cost me several years
Most of the blame, but not all of it;
some of it falls on a few of the managers I played for,
who provided me with good examples of what not to do
when I later became manager of the Seals:
Vitt in the minors (I could understand
why his Cleveland players later revolted),
McCarthy in the majors, who cost me two more years,
and even McGraw, who wouldn’t play me against left-handers
My record after McGraw speaks for itself,
and I hope for it to be recognized eventually
