Faded Photographs Poem by John F. McCullagh

Some pictures hang upon my wall
Of baseball players from the past-
Gionfriddo’s catch of DiMaggio’s ball-
Lou Gehrig standing at the mike-
Babe Ruth pitching in the Bronx-
And the one place that links them all.


They happened at the lumberyard
The place on River Avenue
The place where Bombers came to play
Now sad, diminished, and by Fall-
a victim of the wrecking ball.


One other theme is intertwined
Within the pictures on my wall
Each enshrines the final time
These men enjoyed a curtain call..


Babe was pitching his last time
The season ender (33’)
He never pitched another game
A complete game shutout
Against the Sox.


Gehrig speaking at the mike
A hot July 4th holiday
At home plate for the final time
He stood on the unaccustomed side


Gionfriddo’s speed won the game
By making his miraculous catch
But next day he sat on the bench
And never played a game again



How bittersweet these moments are
for a scrub or a superstar
To know, at last, you’ve reached the end
To still have done the best you can.


Their time has passed, these men have died
And now their park has seen its day
I’ve only photographs to show
Perfection never fades away.