by Rick Young | May 6, 2014 | Poem
Willie Mays, the "Say Hey Kid," just may have been the best.
He made The Catch. He made the Hall. You can look up the rest.
Russ Gibson lived the sixty-seven dream as a Red Sock.
He caught Bill Rohr’s near no-no, broken up by Howard’s knock.
Larry Anderson was in a bad trade. That’s the truth.
The Sox got him for Bagwell, biggest mistake since Babe Ruth.
Tom Bolton toiled for four teams but he didn’t often win.
He may be best remembered for his teeny, tiny chin.
by Rick Young | May 5, 2014 | Poem
Chief Bender was a pitcher who was heckled through his days.
He won two hundred twelve games, mostly for Connie Mack’s A’s.
Bob Cerv served Yanks and chipped in an occasional home run.
He roomed with Mick and Roger during nineteen sixty-one.
Don Buddin was a shortstop who engendered fielding terrors.
In five years with the Red Sox, the dude averaged thirty errors.
Tommy Helms played fourteen years. His fielding got high grades.
He didn’t strike out much and twice was swapped in major trades.
by Rick Young | May 4, 2014 | Poem
Mike Epstein got his ring with Oakland A’s, seventy-two.
Quite often hit by pitches, he was nicknamed "Super Jew."
Rene Lachemann was a catcher who went on to manage.
First skipper of Marlins, which was not to his advantage.
Ken Oberkfell, known best as bearded infielder with Cards,
Won one ring there then played for five more teams. The man’s seen yards.
Rick Leach came out of Michigan, a quarterback superb.
But he picked baseball, played ten years, then got kicked to the curb.
by Rick Young | May 3, 2014 | Poem
Eppa Rixey pitched twenty-one years as Phil and Red.
Elected to the Hall, at last, then, one month later, dead.
Red Ruffing pitched six years in Boston, often in the cellar.
He then got traded to the Yanks, where his career was stellar.
Chris Cannizzaro caught for thirteen years for six franchises.
Was on first Mets and Padres teams, otherwise no surprises.
Davey Lopes raised Dodger hopes by stealing many bases.
He’s back there now as first base coach, but he’s worked many places.
by Rick Young | May 2, 2014 | Poem
Eddie Collins’ teams were series champions six times.
Once was with the "Black Sox," but he was absolved of crimes.
Eddie Bressoud played both coasts for Giants, then back east,
Traded to the Red Sox for Don Buddin, fielding beast.
Gates Brown played thirteen years with Tigers, famous for pinch hits.
Got series ring and coached seven more years, then called it quits.
Hideki Irabu left Japan to be a Yank.
Pitched three years there, won two rings, then went into the tank.
