Imagine being good enough to make three
Different Major Leagues! — both real and
Metaphorical. You could squeeze the members
Of that society into a tiny elevator going up.
The subject of this poem was 6’5” tall.
This personification of “tall and lanky” played
For the Dodgers and the Cubs as well as the
Celtics, followed by a long and financially sound
Career in the thespian Bigs, showing fine range
As The Rifleman, an Apache chief, and even a
Villain in the sci-fi movie Soylent Green, among
Other roles.
Chuck Connors was a constant pro, showing enough
Athletic prowess to serve for the National League and
NBA, and then having an acting career that spanned
Four decades, with a collection of characters that
Ranged from loving father and action hero to sneaky villain.
Focusing on his love for baseball, he grew up a
Dodger fan, played two years for the Montreal Royals,
A Brooklyn affiliate, and then too briefly for da’ Bums
And later, the Cubs. He never lost his love of baseball.
Years after he had finished his Major League career,
In 1966, he was called on and served as an intermediary
And helped end the holdout of Sandy Koufax and Don
Drysdale in their financial demands from Buzzie Bavasi.
This was in the final years prior to the institution of
Free agency in the Majors. Connors’ fingerprint on the
National Pastime should not be overlooked.
Connors succumbed to lung cancer and pneumonia at
Age 71. The world lost a rare three-tool winner!