'Twas The Night Before Spring Training

‘Twas the night before Spring Training and all through the fields

Not a creature was stirring, not even James Shields

The stockings were hung by the trainers with care

In hopes that the players soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of Mike Trout danced in their heads

My wife had her jersey and I wore my cap

I think Sizemore's knee just went again "snap."

When out from the dugout there came such a clatter

By the on-deck circle stood there the first batter

I jumped out of bed and I turned on my set

When I remembered it's just on the 'net

The lights on the fields of the freshly-cut grass

Reminded me then of the teams of Cubs past

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

Beckert and Banks to let out a cheer

The onto the field I spotted anew

Sandberg and Sosa and Moises Alou

More rapid than McRae the rest of them came

I whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Castro! Now Barney! A pitcher named Blake!

On Rizzo! On Russell and on Junior Lake!

To the top of the mound and over the wall

You know what to do with that little round ball!

Cubs past and the present from the dugout they came

Davis gave target for Samardzija to aim

So into the stands the fans they all flew

And thankfully missing was Ronnie (He who shall not be named)

And then on the concourse from left of the foyer

Was Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer

To the press team assembled they answered all queries

"With a team built like this we'll win the World Series."

Garza's arm twinkled and Maddux was merry

They had not even forgot Rocky Cherry

Our mouths were agape and our hearts took a blow

When Wendelstedt said that Milt Pappas was low.

Despite the bad call this team couldn't be beat

And no true Cub fan could stay still in their seat

Buckner then singled and brought us good will

For the next batter hitting was Glenallen Hill

The ball broke a window in the house ‘cross the alley

Then caught in the bullpen on bounce by Brooks Raley

The other team knew that this game would be hell

When the last out was caught on the line by Buechele

They hoisted the trophy with a powerful jerk

And no one tomorrow would end up at work

We crowded the streets to cheer on our heroes

And the numbers on buildings were changed to all zeroes

Then Dale took the stand and the kids gave a whistle

For school was let out with an early dismissal

But I heard him exclaim as this dream came to end

"We'll soon win the Series, on that you depend!"