One Vote Shy

Last year Mariano
Made the Baseball Hall of Fame,
Unanimously, it turned out,
To thunderous acclaim.

This year is Derek Jeter’s turn,
Another Yankee star
And everyone expected him
To reach Rivera’s bar.

But no such luck, for Jeter,
With so many wins and hits,
Got elected with no problem
(Or the fans would throw some fits!)

Yet the vote was not unanimous,
For it was one vote shy
And I’d love to ask the holdout
Just one simple question – why?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Watt Avatar
February 2, 2020 at 12:09 AM
Ilene, I love this... a baseball poem on Poetry Soup! For 80+ years the baseball writers have held on to their traditions regarding HOF elections; finally last year Mariano broke through two of those traditions with a 100% vote, plus the longstanding bias against relief pitchers. Maybe things are finally changing...
Wolf Avatar
January 26, 2020 at 8:14 PM
There's usually one; probably the 'Japanese or the Russian figure skating judge' sneaked in there. Anyway, Babe Ruth or even Mariano Rivera, Jeter was not. He didn't set tons of records like they did. :) Gershon
Leffanta Avatar
January 24, 2020 at 12:52 PM
Someone had more courage than any Republican? Aloha! Rico
Bauer Avatar
January 24, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Ha! What a great comment!
Allison Avatar
January 24, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Hmm maybe its down to jealousy - who knows why they didn't cast the vote but you have now got people thinking Ilene:-) hugs Jan xx
Bauer Avatar
January 24, 2020 at 1:59 PM
Thanks, Jan. They purposely keep this info from the public, so no one can criticize the judges...
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