Baseball Poem 

Barry Bonds Hits his 700 th Home Run

by Kit Menkin

He swaggered to the plate,
like Elvis Presley going on stage
Joe Louis entering the ring,
Taking care of business

The fans knew he would hit 700---
They stood as the Giants were leading
in the first inning
But the Pitcher hit Bonds in the chest

He shrugged it off,
like Elvis Presley going on stage,
Walking to first base,
Knowing he would score a run.

The field was more lit up than Las Vegas,
Bright, surreal, as if this was a movie set,
The players moving in slow motion
as the pitcher tried to take control.

The third inning the fans stood up again,
This time the ball came in for a strike,
as the pitcher had the guts with a fast ball,
It happened so fast.

Bonds swung in stride,
Moving in this baseball ballet,
Knowing the ball was his,
Taking care of business.

He ran the bases,
Went back to the dug out,
as the crowd went wild,
699 was changed to 700,
a new “legend” sign was revealed.

He did not come out again,
until the new inning
Walking to the right field,
next to the new “legend” banner.

He threw the ball several times
to the coach on the side line,
As the crowd continued to roar,
camera flash lights from the stadium.

He popped out the next time,
almost as if he swung too soon.
His run to first was fast than slow
as he watched the ball tell him no.

He came up to bat one more time,
Determined, seemingly angry,
Ready to make up for the last time,
It wasn't a swagger.

Don't treat me this way,
I'm going to hit it far,
Two strikes and he swung so hard,
if he had connected,
It would have gone to Treasure Island,
The swing had so much power,
You could feel it in the stands.

Afterwards he was happy,
His team won Four to One;
on Saturday he hit 701
Taking care of business.