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!!!

[Clarisse Nanoit]

"Although we can't deplete the past,
We'll mark them with an asterisk!"
I LOVE THAT LINE! You never cease to amaze me. =) Don't you just love it when you can see people getting so wrapped up in an issue that they lose all grip on reality? I love the title on this too, because as I read I kind of forgot the title until I read the last line. This was wonderfully constructed and executed. You're amazing.

[ArthurPhillips]

Outstanding. Rhythmic, powerful, strong. A classic piece of hard sentimentality that grips.

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Pete Rose.. a great ball player he was.. once.
This is a powerful poem .. love how you repeat 'Condemn the class of '99'.. and they did and they do...Good writing.
I agree with Shawn Renee.

Chloe

[Magdelena]

Well you certainly hit the nail on he head with this here piece. I so love baseball and remember when all this came about, and yes it does pertain to life also. So make that two nails me pal. Well done......


Magda xx :):)

[Robin]

great arguments in the still undecided courtroom drama of Sport and Drugs

[Ladysue]

I like baseball and I thought this was a good write and I can see how it pertains to real life too...very well done...

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I can see exactly how this relates to real life. This poem is very profound. Excellent!

[Nobody.]

fantastic write dude!

[.]

no nothing of baseball..but interesting scandal..drugs in sports is so unfair for the people who take the correct root..although it has come to the point where you can't drink a coffee without breaking a rule..