I have been burned, over the years . . .
The type of burn that cannot be treated
By any salve or ointment, the type of burn
That cannot be blamed on a fire or the sun
(although I have had those attack me, also).
I, like so many other baseball fans, have been
Burned rather than rewarded by players
Who have eschewed team loyalty for greener
Pastures. The latest is Luis Severino, whose
Skills have been resurrected by the Mets’
Pitching coach and others, reviving his career
(but with another team – – – the A’s) and as a
Fan I am once again left to ask why he failed
To show the proper gratitude and loyalty to the
Mets and help them win a championship. I
Could list others (such as Strawberry) who
Bolted to the larger dollar sign (Did you ever
Notice that the dollar sign is made up of the
Letters U and S imposed upon each other?)
And showed that to them there was no “Us”
Involving such players and former teams,
But the realist in me hammers away the
Sentimentalist and I am left to wash my
Tears away and recognize there is no
Lying in baseball: It is about the money
And the needs of a player’s blood family
Supersede those of his baseball family every
Time . . . so I really do wish Severino all the best
(except when the Athletics play my Mets) and I
Thank him for bringing joy and enjoyment to
What was a marvelous 2024, a year in which
Our team almost made it all the way.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME