You don’t have to be a genius to run the front office
Of a Major League baseball team. Year after year,
Season after season, teams spend six to eight months
Falling flat, turning a hauntingly hopeful musical into
An off-key, out of whack opera in which the fat lady
Never gets a chance to sing. And there is proof
Beyond league standings. Take a multi-seasonal
Journey with my beloved – disappointing Mets. Focus
In on lost opportunities. Consider all-star careers of
The ones who got away, who could have brought
Glory to the hometown team but who instead wore
All-Star uniforms of other teams which once said
“Mets” across the front: Jeff Kent, Justin Turner,
Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Amos Otis, Kevin Mitchell
—– yes, other teams can produce lists of similar lost
Players (Note: I haven’t even mentioned Seaver,
Gooden, Strawberry) but the Mets have won two
Titles since 1962 —- and before the current season,
Did nothing to hold on to fan-favorite Nimmo,
Clutch power hitter Alonso and HOF closer Diaz,
So I’ll focus on them, if you don’t mind. I know,
Babe Ruth was sold so the Red Sox owner could
Finance a Broadway musical — but at least there
Was nice music involved. With the Mets, the front
Office has been consistently off-key. Definitely, as
I said, no geniuses. Not even close.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME