In 1869, a Cincinatti team
was something that sounded like a dream
along came from the professional Red Stocking
they had a year that was shocking
they crossed the country without being beat
the Red Stockings were known to be elite
a cricket player’s son named Harry Wright
made baseball a pasttime overnight
people would come and gamble on games
In 1869 they lived up to their name
Wright developed young players with ability
players threw balls with grace and agility
but in 1870 Brooklyn ended the streak
the Red Stockings now no longer unique
But their uniforms were red stockings they wore
their fifteen minutes of fame are easy to ignore
but they’re a part of history, even though they’re dead
the red stockings are gone, and now the sox are red.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME