Winner by Gene Fehler on Baseball Almanac

Winner by Gene Fehler

Many great men and women have written entire books about every aspect of the game; however, other than "Casey At Bat," few know about some of the other great poems that have appeared honoring our national pastime. Listed below is the baseball poem: Winner.

"You can hit this guy!" - Gene Fehler

Published: Center Field Grasses (1991)

what I remember most
is my dad behind the rusted screen
back of home plate
"You can hit this guy!"
his voice not letting up
through four fast balls
(two misses swinging late,
two fouls on checked swings)

then the curve ball and the dying quail
into left-center,
the winning run sliding home,
my dad all smiles,
slapping backs in the bleachers
as if HIS single had won the game

Winner by Gene Fehler ©

What do you believe is the most famous winning run in Major League history? Share your honest opinion on our Baseball Fever.

In 1980 a new statistical category called the game winning RBI was added to "the books." By 1989 it was no longer popular and it was removed from the official record; however, Baseball Almanac has the entire record book online.

Phil Rizzuto, who was broadcasting games at the time of the game winning RBI, said of the statistic, "They should take that stat and shove it."

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