for Splitt

Today, Kansas City lost a local baseball legend when left-handed pitcher Paul Splittorff lost his battle to cancer. When I heard this news today, I found myself thinking about the days of my childhood, many of which were spent at the ball yard with my dad.  While I know that in recent years, Splittorff was synonymous with Royals broadcasting, I will always remember watching him on the pitching mound on hot summer afternoons.  When I was about 14, my dad took me to see the Smothers Brothers.  Another great Royals pitcher, Dan Quisenberry, was the opening act.  He recited Casey at the Bat and later, I found out that he, too, was a poet in his own right.  Someone wrote something earlier today about Quiz and Splitt hanging out again, and I thought it was only fitting to pull out Quisenberry's book of poetry, On Days Like This.  I thought this poem of Quiz's was a fitting tribute to Paul Splittorff today. Enjoy.

Old G(love)

mushy leather

burnt brown

light cracks

saddle creaks

your strings held up well

mine have too

we look trim enough

to still play

you protected me

Wilson A2000 XL

only glove I really liked

though I flirted with others

you were the one for me

I love your dark center

your womb

rich as Iowa soil

tight feel to my left hand

a worker’s glove

you brought slap shots

stinging in my palm

but I knew where they were

so I could grab them quick

now you look so small

do you shrink like old men

stiff and less flexible?

me too

we’re both on the shelf

but you still look nice

 and holding you

feels so right

* you can find Quisenberry's book here.