Dusty Baker, Championship-Maker
By Morton H. Kaplan

(As read on the John Williams Show, October 2, 2003. Click to hear John read the poem.)

This poem is dedicated to my father, Charles Kaplan, who died last New Year's Eve. He was born the year the Cubs last won the championship and was a Die Hard Cubs fan since 1917. (We even have a copy of the fan club card dated 1917.)

Whoever thought that they could
Even with Prior and Wood.

They start with no depth and no speed
Jim Hendry then fills every need.

But what if it doesn't get done?
Still, what a season of fun.

In April the team needs a tonic
They get it with Mark Grudzielanek.

Comes Karros, Lofton, Borowski
And now they're the toast of the "townski."

At third not a smell of a promise
Along comes Ramirez, Aramis.

Sure there was Sammy and Moises
Whose bats made occasional noises.

There's Estes, Farnsworth, O'Leary
And suddenly things aren't so dreary.

And Simon, Gonzales and Choi
And Glanville and Guthrie, oh boy!

But all that seemed hardly enough
To give the team championship stuff.

Behind the plate was a sieve
'Till Miller and Bakko would give

Solid defense and very strong arms
To cut down the base-running harms.

And let's not forget Matt Clement
Who gave even when he was spent.

Or Carlos Zambrano who threw
Ninety-five though but age twenty-two.

Oh, how the ivy's abloom
And their ain't even standing room.

In April there wasn't one taker
Save Baker the championship-maker.

In heaven they're hearing "Hey, Hey!"
Jack Brickhouse is having his day.

Our Cubbies are right at the gate
Ain't been there since 1908.

So here's to the die-hards at Wrigley
All squirrely and happy and giddy.

And here's to their mover and shaker
To Baker the championship-maker.