Stephen Cormany - "The Frenchman"

Once there was an ump
Of French descent
Still knew a few words in
His native tongue.
In conference one day
On a disputed double steal
He was asked if he
And all his kind
Were blind.
He was heard to reply,

"Oui um peu!
Oui um peu!
Oui um peu!"

Later that season
In the hulking
Five o'clock shadows of
Old League Park
His body was found
A gash in his forehead
(Broken beer bottle)

At his side these two volumes
were neatly placed:
A French/English Dictionary
An American League Rulebook

Pinned to to his chest protector were
These words on a slip of paper:
"Napoleon Lajoie, 2B Cleveland."

Next afternoon, his office
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Acknowledged that the protest
Had been properly filed
And was legally binding.



Baseball I Gave You All the Best Years Of My Life