When the Tigers played at Cleveland
Toward the season’s very end,
Bob was list’ning to the ball game,
But he failed to comprehend
Why it was the fans of Cleveland
Raised a loud and cheering shout
When a Tiger in the outfield
Put a Cleveland player out.
“Why, oh, why,” he asked his Daddy,
“Are they clapping when they lose?
Now, just listen to the racket.
Don’t they know just who is whose?”
“Yes, they know,” his Daddy answered,
“But no sportsman’s ever small,
And one couldn’t help applauding
How that Tiger caught the ball.
No one thought that he could reach it,
For it seemed too far away.
When he did, they had to tell him
He had made a splendid play.
Though they’ve set their hearts in earnest
On attaining pennant fame,
They can recognize a rival
For the way he plays the game.”
Collector’s Items