John Watt Poet Shape

Notes About The Poem

Play Ball

I have attempted to capture my favorite major league baseball players in this little shape poem of home plate. Included are (in no particular order):

Say Hey Willie Mays                        Walter Johnson (Big Train)
Randy Johnson (The Big Unit)          Babe Ruth (The Sultan Of Swat)
Tony Gwynn                                   Jimmie Foxx
Ted Williams                                   Maury Wills
Stan “The Man” Musial                     Johnny Bench                                 
Ken Griffey Jr                                 Greg Maddox                                  
Henry Aaron                                   Lou Gehrig                                     
Roberto Clemente                           Ty Cobb                                         
Satchell Paige                                 Ernie Banks                                   
Rickey Henderson                           Carl Yastrzemski (Yaz)                     
Trevor Hoffman                               Albert Pujols                                   
Gibson (Bob and Josh)                     Honus Wagner                                
Rogers Hornsby                              Cal Ripken                                      
Robinson (Jackie, Frank and Brooks)

Some favorites I had to leave out…

Christy Mathewson                          Warren Spahn
Sandy Koufax                                 Tom Seaver
Mickey Mantle                                 Rod Carew
Joe Morgan                                     Ozzie Smith
Mariano Rivera                                Miguel Cabrera
Pedro Martinez                                Ichiro Suzuki
David Ortiz                                      Jose Altuve                                     

I’d love to see your faves mentioned in the comments section!

written 24 Aug 2020

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Andrea Dietrich September 16, 2020 at 3:41 PM Is this the shape poem you told me about? I saw this one? Is there a recent poem that was shape but you gave a different form name to it?? let me know. Later, gator. John Watt September 16, 2020 at 4:20 PM It's called 'Love Words' and it's listed as a shape poem. Dated 8/22/2020.

Caren Krutsinger August 29, 2020 at 12:04 AM This would have taken more more years than you are old. I am in awe, but not tempted to try it in any way, shape or form. John Watt August 29, 2020 at 10:13 AM Haha, I realize this is kind of a stretch, but it is a sport I love dearly and well worth the extra time of creation. Thanks for the lovely comments today, Caren, you are such a great encourager!

Sam Kauffman August 28, 2020 at 9:29 PM Talk about a game ending, bases loaded grant slam! This is beyond delightful! You mention so many of my favorites. Have been thinking about your question. Will get back to you! Thank you for shariing your gifts and talent with all of us in awe! Many blessings! John Watt August 31, 2020 at 5:31 PM Yes, thanks for bringing up Omar. How he could get 3 All-Star selections and 11 Gold Gloves competing against Cal Ripken and Derek Jeter is a testament to his talents! Sam Kauffman August 31, 2020 at 4:52 PM I would add to that list Omar Vizquel - classy player with a ton of artistic talent. John Watt August 28, 2020 at 9:43 PM Glad you got to see it, my switch-hitting, clutch hitting friend! There are countless greats I left out, but it was sure fun to put together. A field of dreams!

Connie Marcum Wong August 28, 2020 at 10:56 AM You have mentioned most of my favorites. There is one who is not mentioned who happens to be a personal friend and that is Maury Wills, famous for stealing bases. He has a club in Pittsburgh called the Stolen Base where he entertains playing the banjo when in town. I haven't been back there for several years now but I have fond memories of watching him play ball too. He does a lot for the kids who follow him. Your poem is fantastic. I have to fave it! Blessings xxoo John Watt August 28, 2020 at 4:36 PM Maury Wills, huh? That's pretty amazing. He was the sparkplug of those 60's Dodgers team that usually only needed one run and Koufax or Drysdale would throw a shutout. I'd be curious to know how you met him. I bet you have some great stories. Thanks for the fave, my friend!

Gershon Wolf August 27, 2020 at 5:31 PM So many greats... Hard to choose... Only one guy I felt you sort of missed the boat on: Warren Spahn. Maybe you just forgot about him, but anyone who at age 41 can throw a 16-inning shutout, a 1-0 complete game win against Juan Marichal in the latter's prime, certainly gets my vote. Enjoyed. ~ Long-time Baseball Fan here John Watt August 27, 2020 at 5:46 PM So true, I'm a big fan of Spahn, not just for his durability (most wins by a leftie EVER) but for helping the Braves beat the Yanks in '57. I can't fit him in the graphic, but I'm adding him to the second list - thanks, GW! Great to have other fans around. Haven't seen Sam peeking out of the dugout yet, but she'll be ondeck before we know it!

Panagiota Romios August 26, 2020 at 11:08 AM FAV Will send to grandson Pangie John Watt August 26, 2020 at 11:24 AM Glad you could see it, I hope Eddie likes it (in spite of all the names from 100 years ago!) Thanks for the fave and the poetry friendship, my dear friend. Hope the smoke is clearing up north!

Andrea Dietrich August 25, 2020 at 2:14 PM I knew only four or five of their names on the top list, none on the bottom ,.I bet you can guess the ones I knew. haha! John Watt August 25, 2020 at 2:40 PM I'm also reminded of your quote about baseball... "it's the least terrible of all the sports" haha! John Watt August 25, 2020 at 2:38 PM I will venture a guess of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and um, Willie Mays? Reminds me of a line by Robin Williams in the movie Father's Day... "Lou Gehrig died of Lou Gehrig's disease? What are the odds!"

Michelle Faulkner August 25, 2020 at 11:20 AM It is so fun to go through this and try to spot the names, kind of like a crossword puzzle! I'm pretty naive about baseball, I just know the names Babe Ruth (who may or may not have had a candy bar named after him) and Jackie Robinson. One day, I will figure out how to do a shape poem, one day.... John Watt August 25, 2020 at 12:47 PM I'm glad it can be fun even for the non-baseball fanatics out there. You are correct about the candy bar! Ruth and Robinson both transcended the sport and became household names (in the U.S. at least). Thanks for the visit, my friend.

Judy Ball August 25, 2020 at 3:18 AM A very clever piece John. Afraid I'm not as creative as you. Great job here. God Bless, JB John Watt August 25, 2020 at 8:12 AM God bless you too, Judy. Thanks for the lovely visit. ~ John

Tom Cunningham August 25, 2020 at 2:06 AM Very creative John, love the layout, Ive heard of a few names on your list but have no knowledge of the game Tom John Watt August 25, 2020 at 8:11 AM Tom, it's a testimony of your kindness that you respond even when the sport is not your cup of tea. Was surprised you had heard of any names, though I imagine Babe Ruth is pretty universally known. They say he transcended the sport. Thanks for the visit!