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!!!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You bit off a huge chunk with this one...and it worked! I can see this as a spoken word piece, it would be quite powerful in a reading I think. I see the global metaphor here, and it's very interesting the take you have on things. Well done.

[Moflo]

Thank you so much! :)

[Debbie_Philly]

WOW Moflo..... this is brilliant.... so well written and captured my attention... the flow of each stanza with the grab phrases..... Condemn that class of '99!" shows your talent as a writer.... Im a fan so far and I will be back to read more... very nice to meet you !! :)

[Moflo]

Thank you! Its very nice to meet you too!

[Moflo]

Such an amazing writer you're! and I'm glad I see you on! thank you for this, I can't relate to the class of '99 as a Dutch, but I feel and read your rich imagery you explain this. Exceptional. I'm also glad you're ok, and Sandy didn't make a damage to you and Eli, and the rest you love.
Take care my friend xo

E.L.

[Moflo]

Thank you Eli! Yes, we all survived the storm, only lost power for about a week but otherwise, all is fine! Hope you've been well. :)

So glad you're ok dear... pffff, I was worried.... take good care of you and the crew! xo

[Moflo]

Thank you! Thankfully I'm about five miles north of the beach so we only lost power, no flooding or anything, thank God. Made my way into the beach town today though, they look to be getting better.

I was here again, and I completely missed this response of you last year, I'm sorry... (a year later) lol Thank god indeed...How is all? and Eli? ;)

[Priscilla Sayers]

Nicely done!
Yes I agree it is relevant to life as well!

[Amanda Lee/ Isolated Dr..]

You are seriously a talented writer
I'm more and more impressed each poem I read

[bookworm]

This style def seems to be your forte'. You're like some kind of poetic voice for the underdog. Its actually quite charming in a Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting bar argument kind of way. Not sure if you're familiar with that scene but you absolutely have that tone in your writing voice. You make people want to pull together and "do something" about it. Or atleast cheer you on...like in the movie "Rudy"...:)

[Kenneth The Poet]

I was a member of the class of '99, just not the baseball class.

Awesome write.

[Nishant Gupta]

beautifully explained,nice efforts, read mine too " QUEST OF LIFE".

[joshua deathdealer]

Wow I really enjoyed this read. Great subject and well written.