Each year, before the first spring training game, the late Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell would read from the Song of Solomon (2:11-12).
The Decision
by Stephen Jones
He faced a lot of batters in a season,
But none of us knew his demon.
C.C. Sabathia made a decision —
Leave the mound for rehabilitation.
It takes a strong man to make this call —
To recognize that life’s more than baseball.
The Season is Over, a Sad Refrain
by Susan Petrone
The season is over, a sad refrain.
The calendar would not surrender one more day;
The Indians will not play the last game.
Cleveland done in by too much rain;
Too late to make up at home or away.
The season is over, a sad refrain.
The hopes and dreams of spring became
Autumn’s weary march astray.
The Indians will not play the last game.
Each off-season is the same,
No more dingers, no double plays.
The season is over, a sad refrain.
This season we have cause for blame.
Game 1-6-2 is meaningless, they say.
The Indians will not play the last game.
“It ain’t over till it’s over,” must we now disclaim?
The schedule says there’s one game left to play.
The season is over, a sad refrain.
The Indians will not play the last game.
This villanelle first appeared on Susan’s Indians blog, It’s Pronounced Lajaway.
Baseball Record
by Steven D. Johnson
Five hundred eleven – the wins of Cy
near three sixty-seven – the bat of Ty
But in baseball heaven, just blink an eye . . .
. and records will be broken.
Just look at Babe Ruth – seven hundred fourteen
. To tell you the truth, his home runs were seen
. to hold a record not passed – thirty-nine years, ‘til alas
Hank Aaron’s bat was woken.
Yet there is a record that will ever stand,
. but it’s not Ted Williams, and it’s not Stan the Man
. don’t look to Tris Speaker, don’t bank on Pete Rose
. for this baseball record every ballplayer knows
. belongs, yes it does, to another.
It’s not for stolen bases – though Oakland’s a believer
. nor is it held by aces – like Gibson, Ford or Seaver
No, the sole baseball mark that will hold in every park
. belongs to father, son, and brother.
The record that won’t break, held through highs and heartache,
is going seven-for-seven, every baseball season week
. since 1911 – now that is quite a feat!
It’s keeping baseball alive since 1925.
It’s zero games missed since 1886.
It’s giving ballplayers a reason
. to thrive in baseball season.
Yes, the only baseball record
. that will maintain its stand
. belongs to the beloved,
. committed baseball fans!
An Athlete’s Prayer
By Ed Charles
Author of my talents, only You have I praised,
To Thee only shall my hands be raised.
For when I’m burdened with the weight of my team,
To my rescue You come, it will always seem.
For outstanding is my play on any given day
When You intervene and help lead the way.
Grateful to You I’ll always be
For exploiting my talents for the world to see.
For out there on the diamond before thousands of fans,
We players perform the best we can.
Perform we must both day and night,
Seeking victory with all our might.
Seeking a place with other sports greats
In the Hall of Fame where ability rates.
Where Ruth, Cobb, Robinson and the rest
Stand proudly enshrined as baseball’s best.
Excerpted from ‘An Athlete’s Prayer,’ c. 1966, by Ed Charles, major league third baseman (Kansas City Athletics, New York Mets) from 1961-69