Spring training arrives

Baseball swings away

Dreams forever fill

Grown men now at play

 

Life’s daily fabric

Clothed around baseball

Game’s timeless rhythm

Umpire shouts, “Play ball!”

 

Bambino’s shadow

“House That Ruth Built” shrine

Yankee Stadium

Writes daily headlines

 

Pennant race forecast

Veterans lead off

Each rookie follows

Game always shows off

 

Who’s in center field?

New Yorkers look out

Mick, Duke, or Willie

None better, no doubt

 

National pastime

Newspapers proclaim

Box scores filled with stats

Deep love for this game

 

Nation’s beating pulse

Another home run

Mantle, Maris chase

Ain’t this really fun?

 

Each autumn’s classic

Baseball measures up

World Series broadcast

Greatness bats cleanup

 

Memories still stand

Precious trading cards

Hall of Fame’s legends

Baseball’s honor guard

 

A few of the stanzas deserve some additional notes.  The “Bambino” refers to baseball legend George Herman (Babe) Ruth.  The center fielders are Mickey Mantle (Yankees), Duke Snider (Dodgers), and Willie Mays (Giants).  All played at the same time during the 1950s.  Mantle and Maris refer to Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, who played for the Yankees.  In 1961, their personal home run derby propelled Maris to hit a then-record 61 home runs for a season, with Mantle close behind with 54.