Just Plain Joes (Poem by Michael)

November 29, 2007
Poem by Michael


Just Plain Joes

Each spring they come, and then all goes,
For these athletic role models or just plain Joes.

Ragtime Ball had many, but one that fell from grace,
Was Shoeless Joe Jackson, whose legacy was disgrace.

In all he hit a lifetime batting average of .356,
But it was unlucky year 13 that he was in on the "fix".

Judge Kenshaw Mountain Landis said, "You're banned for life."
To Shoeless Joe, it was like a knife.

"Say it ain't so Joe, you weren't in on the take?"
But the integrity of the Game was now at stake.

Each spring they come, and then all goes,
For these athletic role models or just plain Joes.

Pete Rose played from April of 1963 to August of 1986 to wit,
In 24 years he had a record of 4,256 base hits.

The Greatest Single Hitter in the History of the Game,
But he tarnished it all through gambling on the sport to his great shame.

Tho it happened during his managerial tenure and crossed a fine line
Baseball's Hierarchy decided No Election to Cooperstown for this Decline.

Each spring they come, and then all goes,
For these athletic role models or just plain Joes.

The Babe was gone, The Hammer was in retire,
So Barry Bonds accepted the challenge with His Bat for Hire.

His hand-eye contact and swing was something to behold.
"They all did it, so why not you?" he was told.

The Hall was his, normal play gave him his fame.
"But who's to know, if it improves my game?"

Conseco, Camminetti, Giambi, McGuire, Palmerio, Sosa, and more,
Finally Bud Sellig and his investigators were keeping score.

Alas and Allack, the Enhancement Era was called out,
and another star athlete has forfeited his clout.

In these 3 Eras of baseball in the last 100 years,
The applause and adulation has been reduced to tears.

Each spring they come, and then all goes,
For these athletic role models ARE just plain Joes.