My first thought upon seeing the title of this piece was, “As if Cobb really needed the ego boost?” But I really love the imagery of this piece — I almost feel as though I was living in the moment. This poem can be found in Robert Fitzgerald’s Spring Shade: Poems 1931-1970.
In sunburnt parks where Sundays lie,
Or the wide wastes beyond the cities,
Teams in grey deploy through sunlight.
Talk it up, boys, a little practice.
Coming in stubby and fast, the baseman
Gathers a grounder in fat green grass,
Picks it stinging and clipped as wit
Into the leather: a swinging step
Wings it deadeye down to first.
Smack. Oh, attaboy, attyoldboy.
Catcher reverses his cap, pulls down
Sweaty casque, and squats in the dust:
Pitcher rubs new ball on his pants,
Chewing, puts a jet behind him;
Nods past batter, taking his time.
Batter settles, tugs at his cap:
A spinning ball: step and swing to it,
Caught like a cheek before it ducks
By shivery hickory: socko, baby:
Cleats dig into dust. Outfielder,
On his way, looking over shoulder,
Makes it a triple. A long peg home.
Innings and afternoons. Fly lost in sunset.
Throwing arm gone bad. There’s your old ball game.
Cool reek of the field. Reek of companions.
Reblogged this on Human Interest.
I knew there was a book by this title, but I had no idea that it was taken from a poem. Of course, poets aren’t to be trusted, as a rule.
I had no idea there was a book, but there definitely is: http://www.amazon.com/Cobb-Would-Have-Caught-It/dp/0814323561. Add that to my never-ending reading list!
i previously attached judgment to the word reek; as if it were foul or bad, but no more; that reek off companions in the last few lines is oranges to me because sometimes the taste of orange juice makes me let out an exaggerated sigh; quenches thirst like nothing else I know.
I suppose reek does typically imply a negative connotation. Interesting how a piece can change our perspectives. I look forward to summer, and stadiums that reek of hotdogs, sweat, dirt, beer, and leather.