The poetry of Monarchs’ baseball
is much like the language of jazz:
rhythms and improvisations
played with skill and finesse,
intimate communication
on the club’s field or stage;
a nine inning melody played
by a talented nontet who
seemingly share a common DNA.
18 strong and graceful, ebony hands
in concert with joy and expertise
playing for many thousands of fans.
a game and music much different than today,
no 8-figure paychecks, no Grammy adorations,
a coterie of immeasurable talent,
Wilber “Bullet” Rogan its personification.
*My great appreciation goes out to
Phil S. Dixon, author of “Wilber ‘Bullet’ Rogan
and the Kansas City Monarchs” and many other
books about baseball, particularly the
Negro Leagues history.