
JOHN BOURBON, PITCHER
SUNDAY BASEBALL
THE BIG LEAGUE
THE BALLAD OF THE MINOR LEAGUER
BALLADE OF A SUBSTITUTE
CASEY ON A BAT
THE PITCHER’S SOLILOQUY
BLESSED BE BASEBALL
RAYMOND’S RIDE
FOUR CONVERSATIONS
A lively chorus of verses rolls across the diamond, voiced by a seasoned pitcher who measures his legacy against legends like Mike Kelley and Rusie. He boasts of outwitting greats, turning triumphs into rhyme while reminding listeners that every era has its own “pitcher like me.” The opening ballads blend swagger with humor, pulling the listener into a world where baseball becomes a grand, poetic contest.
From bustling tenement sandlots to the glitter of the big‑league lights, the collection follows hopeful youths, weary substitutes, and a minor‑leaguer chasing a dream. Each piece captures the rhythm of a Sunday game, the sting of ambition, and the quiet pride of those waiting on the bench. The poems celebrate the sport’s history and its enduring spirit, offering listeners a nostalgic, sing‑along portrait of America’s favorite pastime.
Language
en
Duration
~47 minutes (45K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2011-02-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1877–1927
A lively early-20th-century newspaper wit, he mixed humor, verse, and baseball writing in a way that made him popular with a wide American audience. His work ranges from light poetry and songs to sports columns with a quick, conversational touch.
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