On a cool night in Minnesota,
the coronation of Jeter had begun.
Idina Menzel sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,”
and a large American flag draped the field.
Oh, surprise, surprise – my heart jumped.
Major league baseball was going to honor teachers,
one representative for each of the 30 teams.
It’s about time teachers claimed the national spotlight.
The teachers were all lined up on the field,
in uniforms, waiting to be announced.
Seeing that might inspire some child
in Topeka or Tacoma to become a teacher.
But before the big moment, the cameras
broke away to a commercial.
Such much for teachers,
so much more for commercialism.
Parents, teach your children to be ballplayers.
They’re so much more important, you know.
They might even get to be on TV.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME