The fact that I didn’t catch onto whom this poem was referring before it was actually mentioned at the end is a testament to the lack of recognition that these individuals receive in the game. I won’t give it away. You’ll just have to read it for yourself, and I challenge you to try and figure out the subject of the poem before you reach the bottom.
This piece was published in the journal NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture.
*
Starters of careers, maker of many, saver of some
Recognition of his role often does not come
Players and club all too soon forget
On each player, his future is set
For all they do for the game
Shouldn’t they, too, be in the Hall of Fame?
Despite the long hours away
Lack of security and low pay
They cling to the game they’ve known
Since the seeds in the youth were sown
For all they do for the game
Shouldn’t they, too, be in the Hall of Fame?
After the legs have gone, and the bat is slow
Arm is short and the fast one lost its glow
The love for often does remain
For all they do for the game
Shouldn’t they, too, be in the Hall of Fame?
No time clock, lunch pail, or heavy lifting
Just America’s game, blue skies, green grass, white clouds a’drifting
The drawer is about to be closed on the file
Of a part of the game, personalities, characters and style
For all they do for the game
Shouldn’t they, too, be in the Hall of Fame?
Can’t we honor these men
For who they are and what they’ve been
For all they do for the game
Shouldn’t scouts, too, be in the Hall of Fame?
they certainly should be, along with guys like pitching coaches.
v
Agreed! They put just as much into the game, and yet receive so little in return.
I was thinking after the 1st line this might be about one of those old school managers like John McGraw, the ones who stick metaphorical dynamite under player’s asses, motivating them and what not, fire starters, but scouts? A wide ranging lot I would think, some of them two-timing liars that treat kids like cattle as well.
Well sure, that’s completely valid. But you find people like that in all positions, all jobs, all walks of life. But you find good people in all walks of life too, and I’m willing to bet that includes scouts.
You’re right. I just can’t get that memory about what happened to Miguel Sano out of my head. And that’s OK. It will fade and the scout bumping around the country in an Oldsmobile sipping drinks, wearing a hawaiian shirt and a stop watch around his neck with a smile will last forever.