Ken Griffey, Jr., All-Star Starter

by William Barrett

Congrats to the NL’s starting right fielder: Ken Griffey, Jr.
He’s no longer scaling fences in Seattle with Sweet Lou and Jay Buhner,
And injury after injury shot down hopes of an 800-home run career,
But revive his youth and energy, this Cincinnati slugger has done this year.
This Red needs no juice;
For his sweet swing seems so pure and loose.
While Bonds climbs the all-time home run ladder,
The Kid’s humble march towards 600 makes a jealous and angry Barry less of a matter.
With the All-Star Game very near,
The fans favor Griffey it would certainly appear.
As the National League’s cleanup batter and number one vote-getter,
It could be argued that nobody did it better.
For even McGwire, Bonds and Sosa cannot say
They were clean like Junior; he did it the right way.

Posted 7/17/07, a week after the All-Star Game 

Big Klu Viewed Through Lens of Blue

Biceps like well-tempered iron,

Frightening to see,

Was Ted Kluszewski.

No shirtsleeves wore he,

Did Ted Kluszewski.

And if you asked him why, he’d

Grind you into loose tea.

In his day he was feared,

The toughest man on the Ponderosa.

But today his muscles are matched

By Sammy Sosa

And Mark DeRosa.

King Felix

Felix is not a cat nor catcher.

He is a very large pitcher.

Batters do not like to face his deliveries.

He will grow very much richer.

The Ballad of Jack Cust

I.

Jack Cust

Has become a must!

Beating pitchers into dust.

Jack Cust

Has earned the trust

Of Oakland fans with home-run lust.

Jack Cust

Is free of rust

Despite demotions so unjust.

II.

Billy Beane sussed that Jack Cust

Wouldn’t go bust.

But even he must be nonplussed

By the heroic thrust

Of Jack Cust.

Dialogue: Jacque Jones and a Cubs Fan

by Stu Shea

“Today I make a promise from my soul

That I will try my best in my new role.

I will not swing at sliders aimed at my back foot,

Nor run the bases like I’m wearing gumboots.

Or make a six-hop throw toward the plate

That never gets the runner ’cause it’s late.

I hope that I can keep this oath.”

 

 

“You and me both.”

 

Posted 6/21/07