Nellie, you arrived
at Connie Mack's
wartime tryout camp
on the back of you old man's
pickup truck
You were so short
that when you stood up
you could barely see over
the side panels
But that didn't stop you
from going on to become
the greatest second baseman
in the history of the American League
Your chaw of tobacco
was as big as you were
and it was always moving
because you were always moving.
Al Lopez said you "hustled
your way to stardom"
and if anybody ought to know
it's El Senor
As a kid, I took you for granted
the way only something necessary
can be taken for granted
I never appreciated your
talent for getting hit by pitches
as much as I should have
You did it 17 times one season
who knows how many of those bruises
became permanent?
Little man, you were so tough
that when you were into the hospital last to die of cancer
you told everybody you were feeling fine
Fan Poems
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