Gift Horses

In regards to the Steroid Scandal in Major League Baseball

"Condemn the class of '99!
Rip their records from the books
And scratch their names off lists of greats!"
-The crooked field we played upon
Has been pricked and poked, decayed!
Grab a sample of the clay
And send it to a lab to check
For traces of HGH,
Amphetamines and Prilosec!

"Condemn the class of '99!"
I hear in my old age.
Had a one year contract signed
To be my brand new team's DH.
Batting on the Interstates
Half way into July
The analysts all tried to find
A reason for my playing time,
Said, "He used to be a threat
When we saw him in '99."

So they looked into my past
And found an aching injury
The verdict on my deeds was passed
And Congress had their inquiries.
"A tear in your rotator cuff
Requires six months healing time,
But you were back in cleats and gear
By the middle of July!
Something must have been involved,
Condemn that class of '99!"

Truth is, we were in a pennant race
And rival pitchers had their edge:
Syringes full of HGH
And I was toeing off the ledge-
I couldn't miss the season's play
My arm too sore to throw,
Went to Brian with a claim,
Got something made down in BALCO.
Partook the world's most subtle crime:
Simply going with the flow.

So rip my records from the books!
The homeruns and the lack of outs,
Have the Congress give a look
Into the rafters of my mouth!
"Condemn the class of '99!
Take their numbers, thin and thick,
Prosecute them for their crime!
Their records can never stick!
Although we can't deplete the past,
We'll mark them with an asterisk!"

And so now we are the Black Sox.
And so now we are Pete Rose.
A generation lost in clay
Beyond the catches and the throws.
Take our numbers off the books,
Take our numbers, black them out!
Condemn the class of '99!
Their corruption screams out loud!
Pious, evil, little cheaters!
-We know, we looked them in the mouth.

Author's Note

Although this poem is about baseball, I think you can find how it relates to real life as well. I'll give some context about the steroid scandal:

In 2006, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had Massachusetts Senator George Mitchell conduct an investigation into the use of Steroids in Baseball, in relation to the rise in power hitters from the late 90's and early 2000's. As a result, 89 players were vindicated and accused of using performance enhancing drugs, accusations that tarnished their entire careers. As of 2011, the reputations of these players continue to be damaged, and Hall of Fame careers are now brought into question, creating a generation of statistical follies discredited under the belief of steroid use.

Some Terms:

HGH-"Human Growth Hormone" -The most prevalent of all the steroids used
Prilosec-acid reflux medicine used to counteract steroids in drug tests
DH-"Designated Hitter"-A player who only bats, usually considered not physically fit to play the field, sometimes due to age.
"Batting on the Interstates"-A player with a batting average below .200, usually .265 and higher is the average of a "decent" hitter.
"Pennant Race"-Fight between teams for the best record in the league
Brian-Brian Mcnamee-Physical Trainer connected with supplying steroids to players
BALCO-lab that developed most steroids
Black Sox-1919 Chicago White Sox team that allegedly lost the World Series on purpose resulting in a mass ban of all players involved
Pete Rose-Baseball's all time hits leader, was banned for life due to allegedly having bet on games.

Reviews

[JelliFyshKissUs]

I tell you>>>ever since that scandal, all great players are guilty until proven innocent>> I was shocked to find out that the gov't has spent over $6 million dollars of taxpayer's money in the prosecution of Barry Bonds>> Could we really not spend that on a better purpose?>> But that shows how deep this cheating goes and how prevalent it has become>> Almost to the point where people are becoming numb to new revelations>> Great job on this poem>> The symbolism of the clay>> Fantastic!!!

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Well spun tale! Quite an interesting read - informative and entertaining. Thanks.
Light,
Siddartha

[Stef Outsiders]

I know baseball.. kind of. though i don't live in america, we have a similar game here. But sounds like the players are pressured to do there best... with gambling there lives!
I agree with linear...

very well written though.. well done! makes me think...

[MiaIntheSkywithDiamonds]

hmm, very interesting, very good. i like the baseball theme especially :)

[William Maisonave]

I like your ability to creatively dissect a broad range of subjects. well done

[Linear]

I know nothing of the game of baseball, just a little of life, It's out of hand the pressure thats put on players to succeed, the sport is lost in the race to win at all costs...money, gambling and fame, thats life, nothing else matters! Well DOES it?

Well written as usual..........:O)

[Abbie]

very good the way it jumps around !


100/100

[Poetic Beauty]

This poem you could relate to real life in many way, and I did get the baseball part. The flow of this poem is easy to follow and it make the readers mind starting thinking.

[ice]

Reads like Casey at the bat..love the way it jumps along like a shortstop covering third, when the runner is caught between the catcher, and third baseman who are trying for a rundown...and all three are clean, but are accused of using hgh, because the play was considered to be just too smooth to happen normally. something like that...anyway, I enjoyed the poem.

[jenniewren (J.W. Bouwma..]

love your angle on this.. it's something not enough people speak so coherently and knowledgably about.. i love the repetitive pacing and phrasings to add lyricism and flow as well.. really excellent ^-^

[Liza]

sports reporting - very enthusiastic and passionate - the spirit of being part of a team....

the cycle feeds itself...we glorify the team; the players are paid milllions to entertain us; the pressure to perform turns them into something unfamiliar with the help of uppers...