Who among us is perfect?
Nobody, but we expect
the closer to be, to exhibit skills
far beyond those of mortal man.
Did he blow the save?
Trade him.
Did he blow two saves in a row?
Send him back down to triple A.
His imperfections are our own.
Maybe because our own lives
are far from perfect we expect
more from the closer than from
anyone else on the team.
Let’s give props to him.
Let’s value him in story and song,
for he walks the wire balancing
precariously between win and loss.
Here is a rousing ovation for him.
He has to be the best of us.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME