King Of The Road Trip
Dice
K and Okajima Song
The Fenway Nation has expanded well beyond America's borders! Both
in fans and players! Thank heaven for that! What would we do without Big Papi
who hails from the Dominican Republic. Yes, Baseball is well on its way to
becoming a world wide sport. Latin ballplayers are a large and growing minority
in the majors. There are also players from Taiwan, Australia,Canada, Mexico,
Venezuela and many many more countries.
Our latest additions to our Red Sox are Dice K and Okajima. What would we
do without these two stellar pitchers? I wrote a tribute song about the two
of them called Dice K and Okajima. It is from my latest CD Baseball Songs
Sports Heroes 2. These two sons from the Land of the Rising Sun are two pitching
phenoms helping the Red Sox in their quest for another World Series Win. Mr.
Okajima in his first year in the majors became an all star player. Hope you
enjoy the song lyric below.
DICE K AND OKAJIMA
CHORUS
DICE K AND OKAJIMA FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN
HAVE COME TO THE LAND OF FENWAY TO GET THE JOB DONE
THESE TWO JAPANESE PITCHING SENSATIONS
WILL HELP WIN THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE RED SOX NATION
OKAJIMA WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
WHAT A PRESENT FOR THE RED SOX TODAY
HE’S MODEST AND HE’S WILLING TO BE A HERO IN THE DARK
NOW HE’S THE SHINING KNIGHT OF FENWAY PARK
OKAJIMA’S UNHITTABLE JOE TORRE HAS SAID
BEFORE RELEASING THE BALL HE SNAPS DOWN HIS HEAD
HIS PITCH THE OKIE POKIE POKES ALONG TO HOME PLATE
THE BATTER HESITATES AND IT’S TOO LATE
REPEAT CHORUS
KNOWN AS DICE K IN THE U.S.A. KNOWN AS THE MONSTER IN JAPAN
IN THE RED SOX NATION, HE’S THE PITCHER WHO CAN
DICE K’S OUR SUPERMAN! HOW MANY PITCHES DOES DICE K THROW?
THERE’S A BIG DEBATE DOES ANYONE KNOW?
DICE K HAS MORE PITCHES THAN A BASEBALL HAS STITCHES
HE PUTS THE BATTER IN TWITCHES
REPEAT CHORUS
HAVE YOU SEEN DICE K THROW A GYRO BALL?
WILL HE THROW IT INTO BASEBALLS’ HALL?
OUR RED SOX BASEBALL IS SO MUCH FUN
WITH TWO PITCHING SONS FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN!
FADE
REPEAT SEVERAL TIMES DICE K AND OKAJIMA
Joe Pickering Jr. Songwriter King of the Road Music BMI Copyright
owner 2007
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Way back in 1952, I sat in Fraser Field in Lynn, Mass and watched the greatest
pitcher I ever saw. He pitched from second base blind folded and struck out
the batter. He also threw pitches behind his back and through his legs and
still struck batters out. Plus, he was only playing with three other players
against a 9 man team. He is one of the greatest barnstormers of all time and
millions of fans have been privileged to see him. Just to show you how good
he was, in an exhibition game for charity The King struck out 6 Hall of Famers
including Willie Mays with a behind the back pitch. He also struck out Roberto
Clemente with a between the legs pitch!!
From an Orphan to a King is my song tribute to this man who just passed away.
I met him and his wife Anne Marie and played the both of them my song about
him From an Orphan to a King. Both of them appreciated it. Eddie Feigner was
beyond a phenomenon.
FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING
AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE LAND OF DOWN UNDER
THE KING GATHERED ALL HIS STRENGTH AND PITCHED THUNDER
EDDIE FEIGNER THREW THE VERY BEST PITCH OF HIS LIFE
CAUGHT BY QUEEN ANNE MARIE HIS TEAM MATE WIFE
THE BALL BROKE EIGHT INCHES SO SAID HIS QUEEN
THE KING GOT A STANDING OVATION AT THAT OLYMPIC SCENE
EDDIE FELT THE TEARS IN HIS EYES OF HIS ANNE MARIE
HOW FAR HAD HE COME? HE WAS ONCE AN ORPHANED BABY!
LEFT AT ST MARY'S HOSPITAL WHEN HE WAS ONE DAY OLD
EDDIE FEIGNER'S LIFE IS WORTHY OF BEING TOLD
NO MAN SHOULD BE JUDGED FROM THE HEIGHTS HE'S SCALED
BUT FROM THE DEPTHS HE'S COME AND HOW HE'S PREVAILED
CHORUS
FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING HE'S MET EVERYONE, DONE EVERYTHING
EVEN ELVIS PRESLEY CALLED HIM THE KING
THROUGH THE LOVE OF HIS QUEEN
EDDIE FEIGNER FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING
HE'S LEFT MILLIONS OF SMILES ON MILLIONS OF FANS
TRAVELED MILLIONS OF MILES TO SO MANY LANDS
STARTING IN NINETEEN FORTY SIX AS A SOFTBALL DARE
HIS FOUR MEN BEAT NINE MEN FAIR AND SQUARE
OVER NINE HUNDRED NO HITTERS AND TEN THOUSAND GAMES WON
THE KING STANDS ALONE IN HIS HALL OF FAME OF ONE
FASTER THAN SANDY KOUFAX OR NOLAN RYAN
EDDIE FEIGNER IS THE KING! THE VERY TOP LION
CLINT EASTWOOD PLAYED WITH THE KING. THE KING MADE HIS DAY
IN THAT CHARITY GAME HE PUT SIX HALL OF FAMERS AWAY
THOUSANDS OF GAMES LATER IN SERVICE TO THE LORD
HE RECEIVED THE VICTOR SPORTS LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
REPEAT CHORUS
MORE THAN FIFTY MEN PLAYED FOR THE KING AND HIS COURT
THEN HE ADDED A LADY WHO BECAME HIS CONSORT.
THE LAST OF THE BARNSTORMERS STILL ON THE ROAD
HIS BELIEF IN THE LORD'S KEPT HIM ON THE RIGHT ROAD
NOT ONLY AN ENTERTAINER, THE KING'S A COMMITTED MAN
OVER THREE SCORE YEARS HE'S TAKEN STAND AFTER STAND
HE STOOD WITH PRESIDENT KENNDY SUPPORTING CIVIL RIGHTS
PROTESTED THE EVIL DEEDS OF THE KLAN'S TARNISHED KNIGHTS
WHILE ALLIED PLANES AIRLIFTED SUPPLIES TO BERLIN
THE KING AND COURT WERE THERE PLAYING FOR AMERICA TO WIN
THANK YOU KING THANK YOU COURT FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE
YOUR FANS HAVE NEVER LOST BECAUSE OF YOU, WE'VE WON!
REPEAT CHORUS AND LAST LINE IN CHORUS ONE MORE TIME
Joe Pickering Jr. Songwriter King of the Road Music BMI Performed by Phil
Coley
Copyright 2005
Now, what are we going to do?
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter, www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
FenwayNation's Dalton Jones Industrial Average Index has sunk and
this year's end could put members of the Red Sox Nation in a real flunk. We've
got to do something! But,what will we do? Will we ready for winter and reminsce
about the Red Sox of old? What am I saying: the Red Sox of old! Wow! Doesn't
the bright and brilliant season of 2004 seems like a decade ago? Like some
distant star fading into a cloudy sky! Nearly gone from our sight but remaining
in our memories.
Come to think of it one could divide the Red Sox eras into four parts now.
First there was the Red Sox prior to 1919 who were the perennial champions
of their time. I believe they won 5 World Championships. Then, the Babe was
traded and the long curse began right through to 2004. Part two had begun
and with it eightysix years of baseball terror. I wrote some painful songs
about the Red Sox then. There was Babe Ruth's Curse 1 which played in the
HBO the Curse of the Bambino and the sequel Babe Ruth's Curse 2. I even wrote
one called Baseball's Mortal Sin about the dreaded New York Yankees. We couldn't
beat them on the field so I tried it by writing a song about them!
Ahh but then came the brightest season in Red Sox History 2004! This is a
season that Hollywood would never have made a movie as it was so improbable!
No one would have believed that the Red Sox could come from behind and win
four straight from the New York Yankees. It eliminated them from further play
and then our Sox went on and to wipe out the St Louis Cardinals four straight!
Wonders oh wonders!! I wrote a number of Red Sox songs about those happy times
including: Hell Freezes Over! The song tale of that fantastic win and This
is your Season to Remember. My late Mom I am sure would have delighted in
seeing those games with the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals.
And, maybe she was there along with so many other Red Sox Fans of the past
sitting in Fenway. They deserved that win and they deserved to see the Curse
end!
Now, comes 2005. What can I say about it? We started well and ended like the
Red Sox of old only we gave up even earlier than usual. There was no suspense
but mostly frustration. Big Papi did break Jimmy Foxx's Red Sox Home Run Record
but the devastating loss of five straight games to the Bronx Boys was break
your heart stuff. Not even Bucky Dent treated us that badly. The best part
of this season is..it is over! Now, we can look forward to two things! We
can Wait 'till Next Year! (And, you know I wrote a song with that title too.)
Plus, we can all go watch the New England Patriots. There is something about
that team that is both thrilling and wondrous. Not, only have the Patriots
won 3 Super Bowls but they don't leave you walking the long road of dejection!
Even though they lost last year, they gave it their super best and I have
to admire that kind of grit and determinaton. They have lots of heart and
maybe our Red Sox players should go watch them play. They need to get their
confidence back! We still love them but we are thristing for another World
Series win! But, before that we all need to get behind our New England Patriots.
Now, let me share with you a song I wrote about them called: Dynasty of Heart.
It is on my CD Sports Songs and Beyond which has also been accepted into the
National Baseball Hall of Fame.
OUR DYNASTY OF HEART
OUR HEARTS SOARED AS ORR SOARED OVER THE ICE
HAVLICEK’S STEAL WAS BEYOND SUPER NICE
OUR SOX’S COMEBACK WAS THE BEST IN ANY GAME
BUT THE PATS STAND ENSHRINED IN THEIR HALL OF FAME
NOBODY’S BETTER THAN BRADY IN THE CRUNCH
BUT OUR PATRIOTS ARE MORE THAN THE BRADY BUNCH
THEY’VE COME TOGETHER NOT TO DIE BUT DO
WORLD CHAMPIONS OF FOOTBALL THRU AND THRU
CHORUS
WE HAIL THE PATRIOTS WE SING THEIR PRAISE
THESE ARE THE GLORY YEARS AND THE GLORY DAYS
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL THIS TEAM OF ESTEEM
OUR DYNASTY OF HEART NEW ENGLAND’S FOOTBALL DREAM
A BALANCED OFFENCE AND DEFENCE SO IMMENSE
THEY DON’T RATTLE THEY JUST PLAY MORE INTENSE
THE PATRIOTS WIN BY PICKING TEAMS APART
OUR NEW ENGLAND TEAM’S THE DYNASTY OF HEART
NOT MANY OF THEM MAKE IT TO THE PRO BOWL
BUT ALL SHARE THE WINNINGS OF A SUPER BOWL
SOME PLAYERS MAY COME SOME PLAYERS MAY GO
WILL OUR PATRIOTS LOSE? OUR TEAM SAYS NO!
REPEAT CHORUS three and fade
Songwriter Joe Pickering Jr. King of the Road Music BMI publisher and copyright
owner
Copyright 2005
Are The Sox On Their Next 86-Year Curse?
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
They just played the worst team in the majors and they drop three
games to them! Bad enough to lose but to have Kansas City set an new American
League Record for extra base hits against them and our best pitcher, yikes!!
What is happening to our beloved Red Sox? Is there a Red Sox Fan out there
who thinks they will come strongly back and overtake those New York Yankees
and go on to win the World Series in 2006? It will be awfully tough but take
Heart Red Sox Fans. Remember 2004! Remember that fourth game with the Yankees
the hero of the century Dave Roberts made his triumphant dash to second to
keep our hopes alive. What happened next and during those remaining games
is Red Sox history which will never be surpassed. I know we don't have David
but we do have magnificent memories of 2004. Even if the Red in the Red Sox
fade,they can't take away the greatest come back in Sports History!
I wrote a song called Hell Freezes Over which celebrates the snapping of the
86 year old Curse. Hope you enjoy it. This could be a long winter but the
glow of that season will keep us all warm for decades. (If we need it and
I sure hope we don't!)
HELL FREEZES OVER!
CHORUS
HELL FREEZES OVER OUR SOX HAVE FINALLY WON
THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO IS ALL DONE
HOW DID OUR SOX DO IT? IT’S PLAIN TO SEE
THEY PLAYED THE GREATEST BASEBALL IN HISTORY
THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD’S LIFTED FROM OUR HEAD
WE’RE NO LONGER THE WALKING LIVING DEAD
HELL FREEZES OVER THERE’S HEAVEN ON EARTH
A PENNANT AND WORLD SERIES GIVES US REBIRTH
REPEAT CHORUS
NOW GONE ARE THE DAYS THE WORLD ALWAYS KNEW
WHAT OUR BELOVED RED SOX WOULD SURELY DO
THE BLACK DAYS OF DEFEATS ARE LONG GONE
NOW I WAKE UP SMILING AT THE RED SOX DAWN
REPEAT CHORUS
NOW GONE ARE THE YEARS OF FEAR AND DOUBT
AND GONE ARE THE TIMES TO CRY AND POUT
BASEBALL HELL WAS TOO HOT FOR ME
FREED BY OUR ETERNAL VICTORY!
REPEAT CHORUS then title several times and fade
Songwriter Joe Pickering Jr. King of the Road Music BMI publisher and copyright
owner
2004
DOWNLOAD THIS SONG NOW AT iTunes
Who'd be a sure bet for the Hall of Fame?
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Who would be a sure bet for the Hall of Fame (except for his betting?
) You probably guessed it. But, read on. Without question the 1975 World Series
between the Cincinatti Reds and the Boston Red Sox was perhaps the greatest
World Series of them all. The Big Red Machine was probably one of the greatest
teams in the modern era. Yet, our 1975 Red Sox hung in there matching them
game for game with some of the most exciting ball playing ever. Those who
saw it will never forget that sixth game of that World Series.Hall of Fame
Catcher Carlton Fisk literally willed with his body that ball into the right
field grandstand. That ball nearly hugged and kissed the right field foul
line. The sixth game was probably the greatest game that I ever saw. And,
if only the series had stopped at six we could have called it a tie! But,
it didn't happen. The Red Sox lost that seventh game and the Curse of the
Bambino continued until the Babe got the boot in 2004. Hooray!
One of the baseball players who participated and played brilliantly in that
sixth game was a fellow who later went on to break an unbreakable record by
hitting the most hits in a career (4256) Ty Cobb had established the old record
decades before. Who was he? Pete Rose of course. I wrote a song about him
which I share with you below. It is from my CD Sports Songs and Beyond which
is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Sound Collection. Pete got the nickname
from Hall of Fame Pitcher Whitey Ford when he ran to first base after drawing
a walk in an exhibition game against the Evil Empire! Hope you like the song
lyric.
THEY CALLED HIM CHARLIE HUSTLE
CHORUS
THEY CALLED HIM CHARLIE HUSTLE AND HUSTLE HE DID
THE WAY HE CHATTERED HIT FIELDED AND SLID
THIS OLD TIME PLAYER IN THE MODERN GAME
PLAYED LIKE MANY NOW IN THE HALL OF FAME.
I SAW HIM PLAY IN THE WORLD SERIES IN SEVENTY FIVE
PETE PLAYED WITH SUCH PASSION HE MADE ME FEEL ALIVE
PETE ROSE BROKE TY COBBS' RECORD LIKE MATCHSTICKS
FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX HITS
THERE'S AN EMPTY SPOT IN THE HALL OF FAME
CHARLIE HUSTLE DESERVES TO CLAIM
HOW MANY MORE HITS DOES HE HAVE TO MAKE?
HOW MANY MORE RECORDS DOES HE NEED TO BREAK?
REPEAT CHORUS
THOUGH HE BET ON BASEBALL, BASEBALL'S CARDINAL SIN
HE DIDN'T BET AGAINST HIS TEAM HE PLAYED TO WIN
THERE ARE MORE SINNERS THAN SAINTS IN THE HALL OF FAME
MAY PETE ROSE BE JUDGED ON HOW HE PLAYED THE GAME
REPEAT CHORUS three times and fade
Joe Pickering Jr. Songwriter King of the Road Music BMI publisher and copyright
owner
2005
DOWNLOAD
THIS SONG NOW AT iTunes
Red Sox Fans, Answer Me this Question
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Deep, deep, deep down inside your heart and soul is there a tiny, tiny bit
of you that used to glory in the gory prior to the Red Sox wonderful win of
2004? Come on now admit it! For 86 years millions of Red Sox Fans would rather
have talked about the Curse of the Bambino than the New England weather. It
unified all of us. We were a beleagured, battered and bewildered band that
always stuck together no matter what. Why did we cluig to that Curse like
the mast of on old sailing ship in a Northeaster? We lived on the faintest
of hopes that someday,some way, our Red Sox would win it all. We never really
believed it would happen. Why should we have believed it? Tens of millions
of Red Sox fans have waited in Heaven for this day to come. Well, that World
Series win did come didn't it? It came completely unexpectededly like the
sudden parting of the waters of Boston Harbor! But, now it is 2006, not 2004
and, as I reflected on the past. I had to write a song about glorifying a
bit of the gory of our beloved Sox as well as capturing a little bit of the
mixed feeling of winning—when losing was almost comfortable and natural.
I do hope you enjoy this song. It is from my CD Sports
Songs and Beyond which has been accepted into the National Baseball
Hall of Fame Sound Collection.
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!
HOW SHALL WE ACT NOW? WHAT SHALL WE DO?
SEASON AFTER SEASON WILL BE FOREVER NEW
WE'LL PAY AN AWFUL PRICE TO BE LOSER FREE
GONE IS OUR TRADITION OF LOSING GLORIOUSLY
THERE'S SOMETHING CUDDLY ABOUT LIFE LONG DEFEAT
BABE RUTH'S CURSE WAS SUCH A BITTER SWEET TREAT
WE SAT ALL SUMMER LONG SQUIRMING IN FENWAY SEATS
NO TEAM IN SPORTS HISTORY MATCHED OUR LOSING FEATS
CHORUS
WAIT 'TILL NEXT YEAR WAS THE RED SOX BATTLE CRY
FILLED WITH ETERNAL HOPE THAT WOULD NEVER DIE
BUT OUR WHOLE WORLD ENDED OUR RED SOX WON IT ALL
OH THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN WINNING IN THE FALL!
SHALL I BECOME A CUBBIE FAN? THE CHANCES ARE REMOTE
THEIR CURSE HAS NO CLASS. IT'S A COW OR A GOAT
I CAN'T CHEER FOR THE YANKEES.THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN
THE SOX GAVE THEM JUDGMENT DAY AND AT LAST DID THEM IN
LIVING IN BASEBALL HELL WAS BASEBALL'S HOTTEST TREAT
WITH HELL FREEZING OVER COLD VICTORY'S OUR DEFEAT
YES, HELL FREEZES OVER OUR RED SOX HAVE FINALLY WON
I FEAR THE RED SOX NATION WILL SOON COME UNDONE!!
REPEAT CHORUS
REPEAT LAST LINE AND FADE
Songwriter Joe Pickering Jr.
King of the Road Music BMI music publisher and copyright owner
Copyright 2004
DOWNLOAD
THIS SONG NOW AT iTunes
The Hottest Game
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
MARCH 30, 2006—What, where, when was the
hottest major league baseball game of all time? There is no question about
it. It happened in Boston way way back in 1894 between the Baltimore Orioles
and the Boston Beaneaters who later changed their name to became the Boston
Braves then eventually the Atlanta Braves. Our beloved Red Sox were no where
to be found they had not yet been created.
One factor that contributed to the Hottest Game was the fight between Foghorn
Tucker (Don't you love that name?) of Boston and John McGraw the third baseman
for the Balitimore Orioles. Mr. McGraw would later become a future Hall of
Famer. I wrote the song The Hottest Game and it is on my CD Baseball Songs
Sports Heroes. Why don't I just let the song lyric tell the story of The Hottest
Game! Oh by the way, this is based on a true story. It really did happen.
THE HOTTEST GAME
(CHORUS)
WAY, WAY BACK IN EIGHTEEN NINETY-FOUR
BOSTON PLAYED THE HOTTEST GAME WITH BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE THE DAY BEFORE BEAT BEANTOWN BAD
THE CROWD GOT FIRED UP THEY TURNED RED-HOT MAD
BECAUSE OF THIS GAME, BEANTOWN WENT UP IN SMOKE
SOME SAY IT ALL STARTED BECAUSE OF A POKE
JOHN McGRAW AND FOG HORN TUCKER HAD A FIGHT
THEY TRADED LOTS OF PUNCHES LEFT AND RIGHT
BOTH DUGOUTS CLEARED, EVEN THE FANS BATTLED
A FIRE WAS SET ALL SHOULD HAVE SKIDADDLED!
WHILE THE BLAZE WARMED SEATS NEAR THE RIGHT FIELD WALL
ALL THE GRAND STAND CHANTED PLAY BALL! PLAY BALL!
(REPEAT CHORUS)
NO ONE RANG THE ALARM THE FIRE WAS THOUGHT TOO SMALL
UNTIL THE FLAMES SPREAD OUTSIDE THE RIGHT FIELD WALL
WILL THEY PLAY THE GAME ONE FAN WOULD STILL SAY?
THE FLAMES ROARED GAMES OFF, BECAUSE OF FIRE TODAY
THE HOMES AND SHOPS ALL OF WOODEN FRAMES
AND THE SIX SPIRE GRAND STAND WERE SOON IN FLAMES
THE FIRE GRAND SLAMMED THROUGH THE POOR PART OF TOWN
TWO THOUSAND HOMELESS, TWO HUNDRED DWELLINGS DOWN
(REPEAT CHORUS)
ALL THE FANS WENT HOME TO HOMES THAT NIGHT
FOR THE NEWLY HOMELESS, NO HOMES WERE IN SIGHT
THE NEXT DAY THE NEWS READ GAME REPLAYED THURSDAY
BUT WHERE DID THE HOMELESS GO? IT DIDN’T SAY
(REPEAT LAST TWO LINES AND FADE)
Written by Joe Pickering, Jr.
Joe Pickering, Jr., President
King of the Road Music
13 Pond Street
Bangor, ME 04401
1-207-947-3525 C2001
Fenway Nation
December 24, 2005— Shakespeare asked what's in a name? The answer is plenty. It can determine behavior leading to success or failure. Look at that old Johnny Cash song A Boy Named Sue! That name got that guy into a whole lot of trouble. But, other names can evoke tremendous warm feelings that build individuals into a group committed to a common goal. I don't know who came up with the combination of Fenway Nation but it was a stroke of genius. Look at the two words: Fenway and Nation. There is strong mult identification with those words. Fenway evokes family gatherings, family memories, baseball, our beloved Red Sox and the love that we have for our friends and families. Nation gives each one of us a strong identity of who we are in the wider world.
By putting those two ideas together one has a Nation of Red Sox fans and that stimulates even more feelings. The Boston Red Sox aren't just a baseball team they are a beloved New England Institution.Those who make up the Fenway Nation number in the millions and they are found everywhere well beyond New England and even our national boundaries.
Fenway Park now that is a Cathedral of warm feeling.
It means to me above all my family just as it is likely to mean to you.
Just a few years ago,there was the strong possibility that this Cathedral
to Baseball would be torn down. Most fans never wanted that to happen
because Fenway Park is so much more than a building. But what are we all members
of the Fenway Nation going to do when the March of Time marches on our
Fenway Park? How are we all going to feel? I put down my feelings about
that possibility in a song simply called Fenway and I'd like to share
the song lyric with you, It is from my CD Baseball Songs Sports
Heroes at www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
FENWAY
CHORUS
SOMEDAY THEY'LL TEAR DOWN FENWAY AND BUILD ANOTHER
IT MIGHT BE BETTER BUT IT WON'T BE FENWAY BROTHER
AS LONG AS MEMORIES LAST THEY'LL BE FENWAY PARK
NO WRECKING BALL WILL FALL, HER LIGHTS WON’T GROW DARK
THEY SAY TIME MARCHES ON, LET IT MARCH ON BY
OUR MEMORIES OF FENWAY PARK WILL NEVER DIE
SUMMER AFTER SUMMER AND SOMETIMES INTO FALL
WE ALL HAVE SEEN LEGENDS, GIVING THEIR ALL
THEY'LL NEVER BE ANOTHER. WOULD WE WANT IT SO?
THIS FIELD OF DREAMS WILL ALWAYS GLOW
WE'LL RECALL SMELLS AND TASTES OF FENWAY'S TREATS
AND LET’S FORGET THOSE BUM BURSTING WOODEN SEATS.
REPEAT CHORUS
MORE THAN THE GREEN MONSTER IN THE OUTFIELD
OR FENWAY'S GRASS GREENER THAN AN IRISH FIELD
MORE THAN THE DIAMOND SPARKLING IN THE SUN
OR THE CLASSIC GAMES THE SOX HAVE LOST AND WON
IT'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAYING IN LIFE'S GAME
BASKING IN THE GLORY OF FENWAY PARK'S NAME
FENWAY IS FAMILY MEMORIES, MEMORIES IT WILL BE
AS LONG AS WE ALL HAVE A HEART TO SEE
REPEAT LAST TWO LINES OF CHORUS AND FADE
Written by Joe Pickering, Jr.
C2001
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye!
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter,
www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
December
24, 2005—Wow! The heart and the soul of the 2004 Championship
Red Sox team has departed to the land of the Clean Shaven Yankees. Furthermore,
Johnny Damon has shorn his locks and beard! What is this world coming to?
Has the Curse of the Bambino returned under a new name: The Curse of
the Dambino? Or has George Steinbrenner become the new Delilah to our Sampson?
Will Johnny lose all his strength and vitality without all that hair? Only
the future knows. But, Johnny it is true. Johnny, we hardly knew ye!
Twice in U.S. History the numbers 54 and 40 have been prominent. The first
time was in a dispute between of the boundary of Oregon and Canada (then under
control of Great Britain). The slogan was 54/40 or fight!! Well there was
no fight it was settled by negotiation. This second time in U.S. baseball
history, our beloved Red Sox didn't really get to negotiate. Johnny
took the 54 million and left the 40M offer on the bare Red Sox table. He has
left a broken trail of Red Sox hearts. What really is the practical difference
between $54M and $40M? Would anyone out there really have trouble managing
on $40M?? How many houses or Mercedes does one need?
Besides, this matter gets personal. I actually lost $25 bucks on Johnny Damon!
Never before had I belonged to any of these Red Sox fan Clubs. But, for Johnny
I joined his fan club! It cost me $25. I even got a baseball autographed
by Johnny Damon with the number 18. (I was the 18 th member of the fan
club.) Coincidently, his Red Sox number was 18. But, maybe there is
a brighter side to this sad picture. Do you remember a few years back
when that Chicago Cubs fan instinctively reached for the ball in the outfield
and unfortunately interfered with the catch and the Cubs lost the game. Some
time later, a millionaire bought that baseball then had it exploded
at the Chicago Cubs Stadium. Well, I have a Johnny Damon baseball with his
number 18. I figure it is worth plenty to get all that rejection and anger
out and partially mend all of our hearts. Are there any billionaires
out there willing to explode this baseball in the middle of Fenway Park? Asking
price for this baseball is $54M! Well, O.K. I wouldn't be greedy. Make
it $40M! I can live within that amount but just barely.
What Red Sox player had the ability to play in the Olympic Games?
by Joe Pickering Jr. writer and songwriter, www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Wow!
The heart and the soul of the 2004 Championship Red Sox team has departed
to the land of the Clean S The
2004 Olympic Games is fast approaching. This year the games will
be held in Athens. The thought of the Olympic Games being held in Greece
stirred my memory of an athlete who some consider one of the greatest all
around American athletes. There are few major league baseball players who
could play in the games but this man could. Who was he? Let others
who knew him tell you.
The King and Queen of Greece gave this American citizen a crown an Olympic
olive wreath dipped in silver because of his athletic ability. Johnny
Most the greatest Boston Celtic announcer thought he ranked right up there
with Jim Thorpe, Bo Jackson, and Jackie Robinson.He once observed him
in street clothes and shoes playing Bill Sharman the Celtic Hall of Famer
and was amazed at his basketball ability. Hall of Fame broadcaster Curt Gowdy
said he was one of the finest competitive athletes in the history of all sports.
Ted Williams our Red Sox Hall of Famer felt he was an All American
on the football field and baseball field and in every way. The Great Penn
State Coach Joe Paterno stated he was a phenomenon and not to be
outdone Notre Dame Coach Frank Leahy said he was the greatest prospect he
had ever seen and at the time he was only in high school.
I could quote many others who live in the great memories of American sports
who remember and cherish this man. I personally received an e-mail from the
late great Johnny Unitas who commented that he was an outstanding quarterback
and outstanding baseball player. So, who was he? He was Harry Agganis
the Golden Greek and some of his story is told in the song lyric
from the CD Baseball Songs Sports Heroes.
THE GOLDEN GREEK
TIME WASHES AWAY PEOPLE WHO DEPART
YOU WHO REMAIN CHERISH HEROES OF THE HEART
THEY SELDOM GRACE EARTH BUT, NOT FOR LONG
THE GOLDEN GREEK LIVES IN THIS SONG
TOO MANY ATHLETES SPELL TEAM AS M-E
THE GOLDEN GREEK KNEW TEAM MEANT ONLY WE
THIS ALL AMERICAN TRULY STOOD APART
THE GOLDEN GREEK WAS SIMPLY PURE OF HEART
FOUR HUNDRED CHURCHES HONORED FOR FORTY DAYS
THE MAN WHO TOUCHED MANY HEARTS IN SO MANY WAYS
FIFTY THOUSAND SAID GOOD-BYE AS HIS CHURCH CHOIR
SANG LOVE FOR THE MAN WHO SET THE SPORTS WORLD AFIRE
CHORUS
HARRY AGGANIS STIRRED HEART AND SOUL
DID GOD TAKE HIM SO HE WOULD NEVER GROW OLD?
HEROES LIVE FOREVER THOUGH HARRY DIED YOUNG
THE SONG OF THE GOLDEN GREEK WILL ALWAYS BE SUNG
THOUSANDS OF MARINES IN THE CAROLINA SUN
NAMED A FIELD FOR THE MARINE WHO LEFT NO DEED UNDONE
THE FIRST OLYMPIC HEROES WON LOVE WREATHS
HIS SILVER WREATH FROM THE KING AND QUEEN OF GREECE
THE SEVENTH CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS BORN IN LYNN
LEARNED PLAYING THE GAME RIGHT WAS THE WAY TO WIN
HE HIT MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHING AT FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE
THEN WENT ON TO GLORY ON THE SPORTS PAGE
THIS HALL OF FAMER SCRAMBLED FORTY YARDS FROM THE POCKET
HE THREW FEATHER PASSES OR SHOTS LIKE A ROCKET
THOUGH HE LOOKED AND PLAYED LIKE A GREEK GOD
THIS FLESH AND BLOOD HERO WAS ONE WITH THE LORD
REPEAT CHORUS
HE GAVE TO THE POOR AND CHURCH, GIFTS HE RECEIVED
HARRY LIVED THE GOLDEN RULE AS HE BELIEVED
HIS SMILE WARM AND BRIGHT LIKE SUNSHINE IN JULY
WHY AT TWENTY-SIX DID THIS RED SOX STAR DIE?
THE NFL PLAYED GAMES IN HONOR OF HIS NAME
ALL FOR A MAN WHO NEVER PLAYED A PRO GAME
HE PLANNED TO PLAY FOR THE SOX AND THE N-F-L
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONLY GOD CAN TELL
THIS HERO OF THE HEART WAS LIKE NO OTHER
HIS LAST WORDS WERE,"TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER."
IN THE PANTHEON OF SPORTS, THE GOLDEN GREEK REIGNS
HIS MEM'RY GLOWING LIKE THE OLYMPIC FLAME
REPEAT LAST LINE AND FADE
Joe Pickering Jr. songwriter King of the Road Music BMI C 2000