by Stephen Jones
35 home runs so far this year
At home plate the Yankees on a tear
But a cautionary admonition does exist
During the regular season one may
By thunderous bat live or die
But it is by pitching with good reason
That teams win in post-season
So while the Yankees knock on history’s
Door — home runs grand slams RBIs —
They also know in cycles a live bat
Can cool when other teams get hot
They know it’s with pitching they must persist
Flashback one decade …
Easter Sunday 2001: After Todd Hollandsworth hit three home runs and contributed 7 RBI, including a game-winning, three-run clout in the 10th inning of a 10-7 victory over Arizona on Sunday, Colorado Rockies manager Buddy Bell said: “Without him, we wouldn’t have won it.”
22 games later, on May 11th, he appeared in his last game of the season. Right leg freakishly broken by a fouled pitch, his season was over.
The Rockies last led the NL West on April 26th that year. They went on to finish in the cellar, with a record of 73-89. It was pitching that got them there, Shawn Chacon playing the role of Joba Chamberlain.
Just sayin …
Hey/Hi Stretch –
Thanks for the true response.
I hear and feel the pain. Ouch! Ugghh! Pitching is everything. You’ve nailed that.
Whatever . . . your response is great/special to me. I write from the heart, not from the “nose bleed” sections – ‘tho I’ve been there often. (If I have offended, I am sorry.)
But . . . let’s keep http://www.bardball.com going! A valuable source, not to be misspent.
Just another thought . . .
Joba Chamberlain . . . scary
his presence “chaos” early
for any opposition but now
“tame” by rules & rotation.
With 62 games or more,I guess you’ll be writing more.
T
Well, I guess we’ll see what the future will hold. Fine poem!
I enjoyed your poem and agree with the thoughts. More to come, I hope!