When I think of Baseball, I think from A to Z.
Some people even say that I think alphabetically.
No matter how I do it, I simply have to say,
When I hear the words “Play Ball”, it surely makes my day.
I often think of AARON, when I hear fans rant and rave.
He played many games in Milwaukee and Atlanta; mostly as a Brave.
Hank holds the record for Home Runs, he hit them over the wall.
When the Outfielders couldn’t catch them, it meant, “Good-bye” to the Ball.
The Dodgers played in BROOKLYN, a team that showed great pride.
They played their games at Ebbets Field, amidst tears and cheers of joy.
The players, they were idolized by the Flatbush fans on high,
And they were all rewarded with a World Series Win in 55.
The “C” reminds me of Ty COBB, a fiery type of guy.
He fought his way to the Hall of Fame, his spikes were always high.
Roy CAMPANELLA and Roberto CLEMENTE, for stardom they were meant,
Their careers ended prematurely due to accidents.
Joe DIMAGGIO was a Star
Who accomplished many feats.
Most fans will remember “Joltin Joe”
And his 56 game hitting streak.
Dennis ECKERSLEY made the Hall of Fame
Because He was not a “Dozer”.
His pin-point control on the Mound
Made him a premier “Closer”.
Bob FELLER pitched for Cleveland,
He was the fastest by quite a bit.
Many Batters swung and missed
At the Ball, they couldn’t hit.
Lou GEHRIG was a gentle Iron-man,
Who played in New York City.
He could Hit and Run and field the Ball,
His shortened Career was a pity.
Rogers HORNSBY and Carl HUBBELL
Were All-Stars of the game.
Now that their careers are over,
They are in the Hall of Fame.
ICE Cream always comes to mind
When I see the “I”s,
Especially on a very Hot Day
With the Sun shining in my eyes.
Walter JOHNSON was a great Pitcher,
Who dominated Batters at the Plate.
Reggie JACKSON became a Legend,
He lured Fans in through the gate.
The letter “K” would often appear
With Sandy KOUFAX on the Mound.
When Al KALINE didn’t get a Hit,
The Tiger Fans would frown.
Tommy LASORDA was a Manager
Who said, “My heart bleeds Dodgers blue”.
He was well known on the West Coast…his name, a legend grew.
Bob LEMON played for Cleveland and as an Indian he did not rest.
Both had their numbers retired, which is a tribute to the best.
MANTLE, MAYS and MUSIAL were great Players of the Game.
They all played in the Outfield and made it to the Hall of Fame.
It was a joy to see them, Catch and Throw the Ball.
But most Fans came to see them Hit the darn thing over the Wall.
Phil NIEKRO was a knuckleball Pitcher
Who dazzled Batters at the Plate.
Kid NICHOLS threw the Ball with speed
Passed Hitters who swung late.
Mel OTT played in the Outfield, his swing did have some clout.
Although he stood but Five Feet Nine, he was a hard man to get Out.
He played for the Giants at the Polo Grounds, where he did Hit and Run.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.
Satchel PAIGE and Gaylord PERRY played when they were old.
They pitched with grace and confidence, so I have been told.
They made their marks in Baseball for all of us to see.
That is why I selected them to represent the letter “P”.
“Q” … it stands for QUICKNESS
And a few Players can set the pace.
There’s Henderson, Wills and Lou Brock
Who just loved to Steal a Base.
Jackie ROBINSON did the signing
That integrated this great game.
But Baseball would be lacking without
Babe RUTH and his Fame.
Duke SNIDER and Casey STENGEL with different teams would meet,
In a World Series where the fans would get a treat.
Stengel, as the Yankees Manager would always make the call.
Snider usually made his point by hitting the Ball clear over the Wall.
Bill TERRY played at First Base and was a Giant to New York fans.
He could field with the best of them and hit the Ball into the stands.
Pie TRAYNOR was a Pirate, and sometimes Terry’s foe,
They played against each other and put on quite a show.
Terry was nicknamed “Memphis Bill”, I do not know just why?
For Traynor, well! , that different, as a Child he liked a Pie.
“U” reminds me of UNIFORMS, that’s part of the Players gear.
Some are clean throughout the game, while others show some wear.
Whatever the condition…even if there is a tear,
Players proudly wear them throughout their entire career.
Dazzy VANCE was a Strike-Out Pitcher, and he wouldn’t tell a lie.
When he played in Brooklyn, he was one of the “Daffiness Boys”.
Arky VAUGHAN was an Infielder, a nine time All-Star that we saw.
He was given the nickname “Arky”, because he was born in Arkansas.
Ted WILLIAMS was a Player, who was known as “The Kid”.
His Stats were legendary, because hitting was what he did.
“Teddy Ballgame” and “The Splendid Splinter” were other nicknames, too.
There isn’t anybody who would fit into his shoe.
He was a “Power Hitter”, who would rarely ever “Whiff”
And that is why Lou Boudreau made up the “Williams’ Shift”.
Ted Williams was the type of guy, to whom we should tip our hat.
“The greatest hitter who ever lived”, should be his epitaph.
X is a letter that doesn’t start a name,
Of a Major Leaguer who is in the Hall of Fame.
I’ll simply have to move along; I cannot pause or wait,
When the game is over…we’ll “eXit” through the gate.
Cy YOUNG was a Baseball Player, his name it was renown.
One of the greatest Pitchers, who toiled upon the Mound.
He holds the record for most Wins and most Losses, too.
There isn’t a single Player who would ever say, “Cy who”?
Among his 511 Wins, were three no-hitters and a perfect game,
Yet, his arm was always good, it never did go lame.
It is only fitting that the League would honor his great name,
By annually presenting the “Cy Young” Award to the best Pitchers of the game.
Z could be for ZEALEST, or even the Bronx ZOO.
It could be for the ZINGERS, hit off a Bat or two.
Next time you’re at the Ballpark and you get to see your heroes,
Just look at the scoreboard and you’ll find a lot of ZEROs.
All of the people named herein are in the Hall of Fame.
Their talents were quite evident as they played the game.
Other are still playing, their names will have to wait,
Until they are retired and get invited inside the gate.
oo77