Miscellaneous Missives

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cincinnati_Reds_Logo.svg Donnybrook at Riverfront Stadium by Lillian Morrison Oh, what a melee Oh, what a brawl Oh, what a slambang Free-for-all. Managers, umpires And 48 players Rolled on the ground In knots and layers. Knight pushed Davis? Davis shoved Knight? Boys will be boys. A bench-clearing fight. The two were ejected. Soto, Mitchell, the same. Pitchers played outfield. Some baseball game. Technically I am writing this post Friday evening although I'm going to schedule it for the same time I'm going to set my alarm Saturday morning for my flight to Mexico.  I am soooooo ready for a relaxing week especially with the stress at work.  The moral in my building is at an all time low.  When I look at the assistant principal and watch how perform (or not perform) her job, I get red in the face.  Her incompetence makes me see RED .  Yep!  I'm ready for vacation. My online baseball source, ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_Rangers.svg October by Hester Jewell Dawson the high fly ball, arches out above left field, hangs there in the sky outblazing the sun while fifty thousand heads swings and cry "Over the wall! Over the wall!" then hold, fixed and dumb as the ball drops down and down, a dead bird into a waiting glove and there you have it: the song, the flight, the perilous whisper of truth or of love or possibly of faith then the descent and the end of the game I have actually visited the Texas Rangers stadium to watch baseball games twice.  The first time was on a trip to ride roller coasters in Dallas.  The coasters were a bit disappointing, but we had fun at the game because we sat in the nose bleed seats and talked to Jesus.  As I recall it was a minimal crowd, so he had time to talk to us with a double rainbow in the background.  We had a great time saying we talked to jē'zəs.  Fun stuff. ...

http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=h7yvwsji2bngl8v6n0o4o3x9k "We're gonna win Twins" We’re gonna win Twins, we’re gonna score! We’re gonna win Twins, watch that baseball soar! Knock out a homerun, shout a hip-hooray! Cheer for the Minnesota Twins today! We’re gonna win Twins, give it our all! We’ve got the guys who’ll knock the cover off the ball! Let’s hear it now for the team that came to play! Cheer for the Minnesota Twins today! Target Field has the "highest LEED rating of any ballpark in America" and they recycle/reuse rainwater (or maybe because of the rainwater thing... I really don't know).  According to a MLB article , "LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system that was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to guide and distinguish high performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment, are healthier for those who use the building and are more profitable than thei...

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/27538_111044395593651_1676_n.jpg The Abominable Baseball Bat by X. J. Kennedy   I swung and swung at empty air And when I heard the umpire Behind me shout, "Strike three - you're out!" My bat turned to a vampire. The whole team had to pry it loose. Poor Ump looked sorta flat. Now ever since, my bat and I Walk every time we bat. I hate the St. Louis Cardinals.  I wish I was a better person, but alas, I am not a better person.  Wikipedia says that they suck and people should dislike them (but maybe not hate).  Actually that is not true, Wikipedia says, "The Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to the New York Yankees , who have won 27."  Yep, I can't think of a time when I would cheer for either team.  Maybe I should have a better attitude about the Yankees, the Cardinals, and yesterday's conferences, but I don...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arizona_Diamondbacks_Logo.PNG The Infield by Paul B.  Janeczko Like the barnyard, with the infielders scratching in the dust with their toes; walking heads down but with a watchful eye on the umpire ready to squawk. And the chatter batterbatterbatter hummmm baby no batterbatter. Always the chatter. Did you know a baseball field is also called a baseball diamond?  This fact makes my poem perfect for the Diamondbacks although I think Diamondbacks are really snakes, but it will work for today. This is conference day, so after teaching all day, we have conferences until 7pm.  I chose the Arizona Diamondbacks because the remind me of conferences.  We have the Diamonds and the D-Backs (or maybe merely D's).  The good students and their parents will show up.  The crabby parents will show up.  The other parents will stay home.  Typically I think conferences are a waste of time, especially t...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colorado_Rockies_logo.svg Bully by Donald Graves   Bobby Nelson is the toughest kid in our class; I am the smallest. His hoarse voice finds me every day on the way to school and home again. “Hey, Rabbit, whatcha doin’?” A rock drops into my gut. He walks next to me, throws his elbow into my ribs and edges me to the curb hoping I’ll take a swing at him. I tried once and he flipped me like a toy dog. One day Jim, my best friend, gets fed up with Nelson’s jabs and taunts. Someone on the playground yells “fight” and a ring of kids surround them. “Hit ‘im, Jim.” “Take him, Nelson.” They shove back and forth saying, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, think you’re big, think you’re tough.” Nelson takes a swing; Jim catches his arm and twists him to the ground; the dust flies, the circle cheers. Jim sits on Nelson like we own the playground, the school, and everything in it.   According to ...

http://www.sandiegovips.com/featured-2/san-diego-padres-2011-season-party-package/ Carriers of the Dream Wheel by N. Scott Momoday This is the Wheel of Dreams Which is carried on their voices, By means of which their voices turn And center upon being. It encircles the First World, This powerful wheel. They shape their songs upon the wheel And spin the names of the earth and sky; The aboriginal names.  They are old men, or men Who are old in their voices,  And they carry the wheel among the camps, Saying: Come, come, Let us tell the old stories,  Let us sing the sacred songs. After doing my daily baseball check using Wikipedia, I learned that the "team's ( San Diego Padres' ) name, Spanish for "fathers", refers to the Spanish Franciscan friars who founded San Diego in 1769.  The Franciscan friars wore hoods.  It seems hoodies have been in the news lately after the tragic slaying (too harsh?) of the Trayvon Martin who was shot because of...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Washington_Nationals_2011.png It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task.   Robert Kennedy My source for most of my baseball information has come from Wikipedia.  Today's post is no different.  According to "The Free Encyclopedia", "The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium. The new park is located in Southeast D.C., near the Anacostia River and with views of the Capitol. "   Although the Nationals no longer play in RFK stadium, they played three seasons in a stadium named after Robert F. Kennedy.  They also play in our nation's capitol.  This year our nation , the United States, is participating in World Book Night .  In fact the web address includes US; that's how I know it has to do with our...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chicago_White_Sox.svg PATIENT HITTER by David D. Horowitz Yes, I can smack your knucklers and spitters,      Dodge your beanballs, and stroke Your curves to right for hits. Good hitters      Learn patience, adjust. We watch you choke And grimace, sweat. We simply hit And win, as you knuckle, bean, and spit. According to Wikipedia, "The White Sox play in the American League 's Central Division . Since 1991 , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field ... nicknamed The Cell by local fans."   Hey, I'm a fan of cell phones although I prefer Verizon to U. S. Cellular.  My iPhone is actually one of my favorite things.  It keeps me occupied which is typically a good thing. The White Sox also had some type of "Black Sox" scandal.  This is not all that surprising.  Scandals seem to be everywhere in sports.  Recently the St. Louis Rams were the target of a...

http://www.wrcbtv.com/category/132726/atlanta-braves No. 714 (anonymous) On the 21 st of July Henry Aaron slapped Home Run No. 700 And smiled In the quiet way in which He smiles. On the 17 th of August Henry Aaron slapped Home Run No. 703 And wondered if his wrists would not give way And cheat him. On the 3 rd of September Henry Aaron slapped Home Run No. 707 slapped Home Run No. 708 And thought of the stars. On the 17 th of September Henry Aaron slapped Home Run No. 711 And said it wasn't important anymore There was time. On the 22 nd day of September Henry Aaron slapped home run No. 712 And wondered if nature undestood the struggle Of Men. The sun is awesome and does not compromise. On the 29 th day of September Henry Aaron slapped home run No. 713 And forgot All the cruelty sent by mail. A child walks To the edge of the water And efforts in the sand of the afternoon sun to save Stale castles Too illit...

http://espn.go.com/i/page2/photos/060613/mr_met_195.jpg Met People by Gottfried Benn   I've met people who, when you ask their name, shyly -- as if they could hardly claim the right to have a name -- answer 'Miss Christian' and then: 'like the first name', they wanted to make it easy to grasp not a difficult name like 'Popiol' or 'Babendererde' -- 'like the first name' -- please, don't strain your memory! I have met people, who grew up in a hovel with parents and four siblings studied, nights, on the kitchen stove with their fingers in their ears made good, outwardly beautiful and ladylike like countesses and inwardly gentle and conscientious like Nausicaa who wore the pure brow of angels. I've often asked myself where the gentle and good come from and found no answer, still don't know it today and have to go now. M r. Met is the official mascot of the New York Mets .  According to Wikipedia, ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_Mariners_logo.svg from Rime of the Ancient Mariner It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three. `By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?... ...Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink... Seattle, home of the Mariners , is known for its rain, among other things.  Last night it poured which was a relief because it brought the temperature down a little bit.  Yesterday at school was miserable because the kids were amped up due to the summer like weather.  The teachers were tired because of the summer like weather, and the building was sticky, gross, and warm.  All of these are sadly true.  Although I loved the summer like weekend, I realize it's better to have miserable weather until...

en.wikipedia.org “How can I play baseball when I'm worried about foreign policy?” ― Charles M. Schulz , The Complete Peanuts, When I first started watching the Los Angeles Rams, their blue was the same color as the Los Angeles Dodger blue.  The Rams were royal blue and gold while the Dodgers were royal blue and white.  The Dodgers colors have remained the same while the Rams colors have changed.  I'm still a Rams fan even though their colors have changed and their location has changed.  Speaking of changes, the Rams have made some changes this off-season.  Getting a center from Green Bay to protect Bradford is one of those changes.  Although some would say they're spending too much money in the off-season, I am a fan of getting decent players and not sucking for yet another season.  They also traded a overall second round pick for multiple first round picks.  I am pleased with these changes although I m...

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2007/09/27/native-americans-inc/ Carriers of the Dream Wheel by N. Scott Momoday This is the Wheel of Dreams Which is carried on their voices, By means of which their voices turn And center upon being. It encircles the First World, This powerful wheel. They shape their songs upon the wheel And spin the names of the earth and sky; The aboriginal names.  They are old men, or men Who are old in their voices,  And they carry the wheel among the camps, Saying: Come, come, Let us tell the old stories,  Let us sing the sacred songs. This morning in my Sacred Journey service I knew today was the day to speak of the Cleveland Indians.  At the beginning of each service we "bless the space".  More often than not this is done by smudging sage.  Today as we blessed the space, we talked about the Spirit being everywhere and within us all.  During the reading we thought about the four directions and the Presence in ...

Baseball Ballad by Unknown Author J. smith is dead. That fine young man    We ne'er shall see him more, He was a member of our club    Since 1864. His private virtues were immense,    His manner was free and bluff, He wore a paper collar, and    Was never known to muff. He rarely took a drink more strong    Then lemonade or pop ; He hated drunkards, and was a    Magnificent shortstop. His nose was Roman, and his eyes    Continually were peeled ; He made a splended umpire, and    A beautiful left field. His hair was red, and shingled close ;    Much sunburned was his face, He never showered with more effect    Than on second base. Being a man, he had his faults,    As likewise have we all ; He felt a preference for the New    York regulation ball. Though not a matrimonial ma...

Shortstop  by Charles Ghigna The slits of his eyes hidden in shadows beneath the bill of his cap, he watches and waits like a patient cat to catch what comes his way. Crack! and he pounces upon the ball, his hands flying above the grass, flinging his prey on its way across the diamond into a double-play. I've actually been in the Kansas City Royals stadium or at least a Kansas City Royals stadium.  Sometime in the 80s, we took a trip to Worlds of Fun and also took in a Royals game.  Although I have no idea who the Royals played, I remember the large digital scoreboard and George Brett.  After looking at some Google images, I think he may have been as good looking as I remember, but he's no Ryne Sandberg or Mark Grace.  How's that for baseball knowledge?  The other thing I remember about the trip to Kansas City was a visit to the emergency room to find out I had impetigo.  This emergency room visit was followed by a ...

http://www.sportsdesignblog.com/astros-obsession/ Sandlot Dad by M. T. Corrigan Not to say too much, nor paint those shadows deeper than they were, his serves just clearing the drop of the woods, and that line of maples along Route Two, a deeper green. Greater matters attach themselves to the sense of things we learned, like the shockless strokes of triples scalded down the lines , singeing the Nadeaus' birch trees: overspin, top hand. What meaning could one assign to batting practice; who grapples  light enough to comprehend that meadow's darknesses? He pitched from deepeer shade, peering in to catch the sign to get me out. No scruples for the dustbacks that flung me down to dirt: "Get up, son. Hang in. Baseball doesn't hurt." http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/05/the_astros_suck_is_it_their_mu.php It seems names and uniforms are constantly changing in baseball.  The Houston Astros I remember wor...

http://www.articlesweb.org/lifestyle/san-francisco-giants A Swing and A Miss  by J. Patrick Lewis The fastball           that you hope to poke           is smoke The curveball           that you thought was there           is air The knuckler           wobbling up to you           can dipsy-do The screwball           an ironic twist           hits your fist The sinker           comes as a surprise:           it dies The let-up pitch     ...

http://msmarket.coop/2011/05/mississippi-market-and-the-saint-paul-saints-a-cooperative-team/ This evening I watched four Saints in action on the streets of Uptown.  As I was sitting in my car at the corner of Hennepin and Lagoon, I watched a blind man (visually impaired?) standing at the light.  Actually he was using his cane to go into the street and then stopped.  I have no idea what made him stop because the light was green and the walking sign was present.  Maybe he heard something he didn't like; maybe the sounds of the light weren't working.  Sitting in my car I was trying to find a way to help him when these four Saints appeared.  They were across the street from him and saw he needed help.  These four teenagers (high school?  college?) ran across the street, with their new purchases from Heartbreaker, holding their hands up to oncoming traffic even though the light was red, and the no walking light was flashing.  When they arriv...

http://boston.sportsthenandnow.com/2011/04/01/2011-boston-red-sox-preview/ End of Winter by Eve Merriam Bare-handed reach to catch April's incoming curve. Leap higher than you thought you could and Hold: Spring, Solid, Here. Although I am posting this Tuesday morning, most of the material comes from Monday.  Yesterday was my eight week check-up with the orthopedic surgeon.  While I was waiting (for an hour) in the waiting room, a baseball game shown on the television.  The Miami Marlins were playing the Boston Red Sox (really they can't spell socks?).  Since I've already written about the alliteration of the Miami Marlins, I knew it was time to write about the Red Sox .  Do you think both the Red Sox and White Sox go by "The Sox"?  Is there something to using Sox instead of socks?  Enough baseball... My appointment started with the ortho telling me that we (him and I) weren't twenty anymore.  Really?  He also stated that ...

Vendors   by Paul B. Janeczko An army of vendors roams the stands - red shirts, narrow paper caps, aprons for money - lugging trays of waxy cups of soda or tubs of popcorn. Their eyes - the eyes of spies - scan the fans looking for a sign of recognition, answer their mates as if in code: Iiiiiiice cream! Getcher peanuts! Iiiiiiice cream! Getcher peanuts! ignoring the battle being waged on the field of flawless green. Saturday I talked to a dear friend (K) whom reads my blog and is originally from Wisconsin.  We were talking about my ineptness to blog about baseball for thirty days since I have little to no knowledge about the baseball teams.  She informed me that the Brewers used to be in the American League and are currently in the National League.  Actually, this past summer I drove past the Milwaukee stadium on the way to K's wedding.  K let everyone know that the Twins were in town, so attendees could go to Miller Park and root for...

http://www.graphicshunt.com/images/new_york_yankees-12562.htm A Sestina on Some Lines by Yogi Berra  by Jesse Weiner the future ain't what it used to be, it seems like the past coming back again, like an open book, a dime store novel, a new mistake. the Dodgers are leaving Brooklyn , O'Malley said, and it looks as though I'll relive that day over and over, like a looped film I can't stop watching. you can observe a lot by watching Dodger fans and Yankee fans, the series would be a way for a man to show his character over beer and baseball on black and white tv. the Yankees win again, wait until next year, the Dodger fans said. rooting for Brooklyn seemed a tragic mistake. I don't want to make the wrong mistake. it's all a matter of knowing who's watching, remembering everything that's ever been said, the Dodgers are gone, we won't be the same in this city again. but still, those days...