Short Shortstop Poems

Pee Wee Reese was a diminutive shortstop
For the old Brooklyn Dodgers when I was a tot
With Jackie at second
Both are legends
Heroes of my childhood and a joy to watch...

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She’s a short-spoken woman he told all.
She’s short-legged? I asked, not at all tall?
Short-sighted? Another yelled from a wall.
She’s a shortstop? My uncle yelled from a stall.
She wears shortie nightgowns was the next call.
About to see a short temper on the man with the doll....

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He shot the speed out of me.
I am dirt again.
It did not matter what I was.
If I was more he would put it in check.

Baseball was hard.
But he was the shortstop that ran and
When learning to throw, I chose my elbow
and he would laugh, call it weak.

And he knew better than mom.
I withdrew my assertions
because there is no truth
when all that stands are poles, 
extremes of north versus south....

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Steve Jeltz, you did something great.
You hit a home run from both sides of the plate.
Both home runs were hit during the same game.
That was your one great moment of fame.
Today, we have just about forgotten your name.
Steve played shortstop for the Phillies.
It was only for a few seasons in the eighties.
Not too many switch-hitting shortstops can be found.
You filled in adequately while you were around.
...

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Clean uniforms all lined up
One set on each side.
Two flags- state and country-
Salute from across the field.
Swing, swing, swing again
And a thick clink,
Everything moves at once. 
The ball- outfield, second base,
First base, third,
Shortstop and then the mound.
Is he out?
You bet, tagged at first.
Good boy.
Batter up, tap tap tap on the ground,
Swing around to ready.
Swing, swing, swing again
And again and again.
That's three, my boy, you're out.
Change sides....

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