This one is short and sweet, playing on the metaphor of baseball and life. There are some pretty intense pressure situations in both worlds, for sure.
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Baseball ain’t just a game Ask any fan, it’s a way of life Life and Baseball, so much the same Similarly filled with fun and strife
Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two out Score tied, full count on the batter He knows, at that moment, with out a doubt If he fails to hit, nothing in life will matter
To strike out in life, as many do Brings consequences, not aspired Just as striking out with count three and two Is something, clearly, not desired
Chadwick Boseman (left) and Jackie Robinson (Movie Stills)
In honor of Major League Baseball’s celebration of Jackie Robinson yesterday, and in memory of Chadwick Boseman, who passed away yesterday and who had played Robinson in the movie 42, here’s a short piece I found about Robinson and his role in baseball and in society.
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He never asked to be a hero For him, playing ball would be just fine Potentially his chance was less than zero To overcome that black-white racist line
Unlike Duke, Dimag and Mickey Jackie entered through back doors The stage was set by Mr. Rickey For Robinson to fight that Civil War
Sports, they say, mirrors society So, they should have hung their heads in shame For what was then America’s propriety Brought prejudice to every game
The Brooklyn Bums, at long last, found salvation When Robinson’s talents were revealed With the awesome double-play combination Reese and Jackie brought to Ebbetts Field
Stealing fan’s hearts with baseball fire Displaying skills in every way Robinson played with such desire Stealing bases most every day
They could never expect from him the expected He turned the most racist hate to love And finally he was most respected Respect that came from more than bat and glove
For Jackie, baseball was more than just a game He opened doors for Campy, Mays and others Number 42, now in the Hall of Fame Proved men of all colors could play in life as brothers
