McGwire at the Bat
Mark McGwire after his 62nd home run
Things were joyous in St. Louis for the Cardinal fans that night.
The score not as important as you’d norm’ly think it might.
The crowd had all assembled with one beaming thought in mind.
To see the current home-run record, finally resigned.
The record, set by Roger Maris, back in Sixty-one.
Lasted thirty-seven years—never once out-done.
Sixty-one, the number, where the home-run record sat.
But that was doomed to change each time, McGwire came to bat.
His numbers piled rapidly. Consistently all year.
Behind him, Sammy Sosa, boosting urgency and fear.
While closing in on Rogers’ record early in the season.
The country watched with eagerness—and for a darn good reason.
Baseball’s popularity was sinking much too low.
What once was favorite past-time suffered many painful blow.
From players walking out on strike, mid-season, years before.
To players selfish salaries. No loyalty no more.
Baseball, seemed, was dying. Most its fans were losing steam.
Turn-outs down, from years gone by, for nearly every team.
It needed something positive. A heroistic cat.
And that is what we got each time McGwire came to bat.
He hit the ball both high and far. We watched his numbers climb.
While Roger Maris’ record neared, he still had lots of time.
Just going out and playing ball, and having lots of fun.
He tied the record on the day his dad turned sixty one.
With Sammy Sosa on his heels, he didn’t dare hold back.
He dare not lose his concentration. Dare not fall off track.
While playing in St. Louis ’gainst Chicago’s hopeful Cubs.
McGwire met with Sosa as they swung their mighty clubs.
The date September eighth, the year was nineteen-ninety-eight.
Bottom of the fourth, the moment all the world did wait.
A line shot up the left field line. Marks’ shortest homer yet.
A homer that this world—and Mark—will not real soon forget.
I’m sure each person watching had to be a bit inspired.
His number, Twenty-five, with him, will some day be retired.
He still has several games to play. He isn’t finished yet.
I wonder will he get a sixty-three and four Corvette.
History was made that night. Much more, he’ll surely make.
He’ll prob’ly set a record taking fifty years to break.
To slugger, Mark McGwire, this whole nation tips its hat.
Our eyes will all be watching you, each time you come to bat.