The 2017 Dodgers – RIP
No team near where I was raised
So you could choose to be loyal
To the White Sox, Cubs or Braves
Twins or the KC Royals
I was somewhat out of fashion
(easy for a farm boy to do)
These players did not have the passion
Of those who bled Dodger blue
Some might say, “Hey hay kid!
Why are you so into LA?”
I would simply point to my lid
And say “Let me count the way!”
Number 32 and the hard cold facts
The curve, the over-the-top high-kick blaze
no one ever threw like Mr. Koufax
“Him I couldn’t hit” said “Say Hey” Mays
Sandy’s no longer steals the scene
And long been crowned best we ever saw
Still the cream flows to the Ravine
“and taking the mound: Clayton Kershaw!”
Now I live in Massachusetts
I root for the Red Sox on occasion
It’s a law, you have to do this
Or your exiled from the nation
Just a few games and I feel that fatigue
that awful, ancient ache
This brand of ball is pretty bush league
Come on….the DH?
So this Series was a great edition
A worthy opponent in Houston
Which has a long and proud tradition
Of year after year of losin’
The Astros? You’ve got to be kidding!
Were they named after the Jetson’s pet?
But the name is more than fitting
Far in the future they’ll get respect
(by the way “Dodgers” is such an elegant word
Ethereal, floating, beatific
Unlike “Yankees” which is just absurd
So gloating and imperialistic)
Will Houston even score?
Dodgers in four!
Well….
What a thrilling ride no doubt
A classic Series no question
Nerves on end for every out
And the team that won was the best one
I guess
But what if
Someone in LA knew how to manage!
I could have done better myself!
Cody Bellinger caused permanent damage
The kid clearly needed some help!
Look at that face the way he tenses
Why wouldn’t anyone say
“Hey, kid don’t swing for the fences
Just put the ball in play”
“Hey Cody, they know your faults
They’re going to pitch you low and tight
They’re throwin’ all balls, you’ll get a walk
Don’t swing at all, don’t take the bait”
Seventeen times he went down
Would pay any cost for a hit
And every time they spun him around
The more he looked like a little lost kid
But he will back, he will adjust
Maybe next year in game seven
Bottom of the 9th, all tied up
It’s going going gone halfway to heaven
Oh what if…
The Astros hadn’t hit so many dingers
If Altuve, Correa, hadn’t been on their team
Along with Verlander, Bregman and Springer
If only they weren’t maybe the best ever seen
But justice will reappear
Wait till next year
Throughout November I am writing a poem a day in an effort to raise money for The Center for New Americans, an organization that is located in Western Massachusetts and does great work in acclimating our new citizens to their new homes.
You may help out by going here
Also, most of you know I am moving to Oregon at the end of the year. Before I leave I will bedoing two shows. Both will be in Amherst at the NACUL Center at 7:00 on November 30 and December 7. Proceeds will benefit The Center for New Americans.
I will be joined by these fine musicians: Joe Ricker, Andrew Atkin, Dave Haughey, Billy Klock and Dan Thomas.
GREAT Poem!!!
I was praying the Astros would win!!!