10/23/2026
'Twas the day of Game One, and all through the park,
Not a fan was sitting, from light until dark;
The pennants were hung by the roof with such care,
In hopes that a World Series trophy was near.
The tailgaters gathered with grills set ablaze,
As smoke filled the parking lot set in a haze;
With brats on the grate and cold brews in each hand,
The greatest atmosphere in all of the land.
When out on the diamond there arose such a sound,
As thousands of fans cheered and stomped on the ground!
Away to the foul line I flew like a streak,
To catch the first pitch of the ultimate week.
The bright stadium lights made the fresh grass look bright,
And gave day-like perfection to baseball at night;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Bernie Brewer sliding, full of good cheer!
With a wise skipper, strategic and quick,
I knew in a moment "Murph" had the right pick.
More rapid than fastballs his players they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Yelich! now, Turang! now, Chourio and Frelick!
On, Contreras! on, Ortiz! on, Mitchell and Cooper!
To the top of the wall! To the deep center field!
Now drive 'em home! Drive 'em home! Never yield!"
As hits line right through the infield gaps driven,
When taking the pitch that the pitcher has given,
So up to the plates the bold batters all flew,
With a dugout full of passion, and the manager too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the grass,
The crack of a bat sounding crisp as fine glass.
As I drew in my breath, and was turning around,
Over the wall flew the ball with a bound!
It was hit off the barrel, so solid and clean,
The majestic arc was a sight to be seen;
A white streak of leather that cut through the air,
As forty-thousand fans jumped right out of their chair!
Its seams—how they spun! The crowd gave a roar!
The scoreboard lit up as it registered more!
The bullpen went wild and waved towels in the air,
As Milwaukee made history right then and right there.
The bat was tossed aside with absolute grace,
As the runner rounded third with a smile on his face;
He stomped on home plate, gave a clap and a shout,
As the final third strike brought the game to an end!
And I heard Bernie shout as he slid out of sight,
"HAPPY GAME ONE TO ALL, AND TO MILWAUKEE A GOOD DAY!"
