NEW LINEUP FOR YESTERDAY
after Ogden Nash
A is for Alan, who turned two with Lou
As well as any pair ever could do.
B is for Brett, who once hit .390
But became better known for the pain in his heinie.
C is for Cabrera, Miguel of renown
The slowest man ever to win a Triple Crown.
D is for Dewey, whose cannon in right
Made runners in Fenway hold up out of fright.
E is for Edgar, DH without peer
At least until David Ortiz’s career.
F is for Fernando, the Dodgers’ El Toro
A legend from Chavez Ravine to Queretaro.
G is for Gibby, in Detroit and LA
A World Series hero revered to this day.
H is for Henderson, one of a kind
As Rickey would tell you, sure, Rickey won’t mind.
I is for Ichiro, needing only one name
And hit after hit to add to his fame.
J is for Jeter, despite his numb glove
The Yankee that haters of Yankees could love.
K is for Kid, not Williams but Griffey
Whose hitting was epic and fielding was spiffy.
L is for Larkin, the Cincy shortstop
A true model sportsman, the cream of the crop.
M is for Maddux, and Murray and Manny
It’s poetic injustice! The M’s are so many!
N is for Nolan, the Ryan Express
Seven no-hitters stand out from the rest.
O is for Ozzie, the Wizard so-called
Whose backflips and dives had spectators enthralled.
P is for Pedro, the littlest ace
The best pound-for-pound, a terror to face.
Q is for Quisenberry, KC’s submariner
Who piled up saves and kept basepaths cleaner.
R is for Ripken, the new Iron Horse
2632’s what he’s known for, of course.
S is for Steroid, the reason is clear
Why A-Rod and Barry and Big Mac aren’t here.
T is for Thome, whose bat always thundered
His number of home runs is north of 600.
U is for Uecker, not much of a catcher
But a broadcaster and pitchman of much greater stature.
V is for Verlander, Tiger fireballer
In Detroit or Houston, a sure-fire Hall’er.
W is for Wade, who found chicken delicious
No other great player was so superstitious.
X is for Expos, who found Montreal
A place where no one would watch them play ball.
Y is for Yount, the Rockin’est Robin
Milwaukee just isn’t the same without him.
And Z is for Zim, a forgettable player
But a memorable coach and dugout soothsayer.
