by Rick Young | Apr 14, 2014 | Poem
Pete Rose broke Cobb’s hit record, but won’t make the Hall of Fame.
It seems that "Charlie Hustle" got caught gambling on the game.
Greg Maddux won 355 and four Cy Young Awards.
His pitches had late movement and cut corners just like swords.
David Justice spent some time on t.v. commentary.
He won two Series rings, but, even better, Halle Berry.
Steve Avery was the youngest guy to win a playoff game.
He pitched too much, blew out his arm, and never was the same.
by Rick Young | Apr 13, 2014 | Poem
John Stephenson played ten years but not many know his name.
He pinch hit the last out in Jim Bunning’s perfect game.
Jeff Bittiger won just four games, an unimpressive stat.
He did, however, hit a homer in his first at bat.
Wes Chamberlain got into one World Series as a Phil.
Got traded to the Red Sox when he was over the hill.
Doug Strange is strange in that he went ten years with little trace.
Though in the field it could be said he played most every place.
by Rick Young | Apr 12, 2014 | Poem
Addie Joss pitched nine years near turn of century.
Has second-lowest ERA in baseball history.
Bob Zuk was scout for ten ball clubs for over forty years.
He signed three players who went on to Hall of Fame careers.
Johnny Antonelli was an all star Giant, east and west.
Twenty wins and series sweep in fifty-four were lefty’s best.
Charlie Lau, a backup backstop, did not have good stats.
Gained his fame as hitting coach: tutored many bats.
by Rick Young | Apr 11, 2014 | Poem
Jim Hearn pitched his best years for Giants, in the Polo Grounds.
Had two inside-the-park home runs, nine total, which astounds.
Sid Monge pitched ten years relief. He came from Mexico.
His best years were with Cleveland, where he had an awesome ‘fro.
Bret Saberhagen, with the Royals, won two Cy’s, a no-no and a ring.
Pitched best in odd-numbered years there, which, unto itself’s a curious thing.
Jason Varitek, catcher, captain, helped the Red Sox break the "curse."
Caught four no-hitters and in plate collisions seldom came out worse.
by Rick Young | Apr 10, 2014 | Poem
Chuck Connors, t.v.’s "Rifleman, played basket and baseball
With Celtics, Dodgers and the Cubs, before Hollywood’s call.
Frank Lary was a Tiger righty, twice won twenty games.
"Yankee Killer" was the best of his many nicknames.
Bob Watson cycled in both leagues, first time in history.
After a long career, excelled as G.M. and V.P.
Ken Griffey played with Red Machine and two world series won.
He had good stats but is best known for having a great son.
by Rick Young | Apr 9, 2014 | Poem
Hippo Vaughn won twenty games five times for Cubs in ‘toddlin’ town,’
His best in nineteen-eighteen, snaring N.L. pitching triple crown.
Nate Colbert played for nine straight last place teams in his day.
But, in one doubleheader, hit five homers as Padre.
Hal Morris had a strange stance but was known as a hard out.
When thirteen-year career was over, he became a scout.
Graeme Lloyd, tall Aussie lefty, threw ten years of spot relief.
Didn’t have great stats, but won two series rings with Yanks. Good grief.
