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Joey was born

Alan Catlin

to play ball.
His first toys
were baseballs
and bats, gloves
and a little
slugger cap.
Serious training
began when he
was old enough
to understand,
“See the ball.
Hit it.”
And he was good.
Better than all
the other kids
his age. Stayed at
the top of the pile
all through little
league, high school,
American Legion
ball and twilight
leagues. Was poached
by a private high school,
by Catholic priests
with big league
connections.
Next stop was
always understood
to be St John’s
where all the local
prospects got their
tickets punched
for minor league
ball and after a few
years of working
the sticks, The Show.
Except Joey never
made it past mostly
second string third
baseman who hit
.217 and was understood
not to have a major
league arm or glove.
Gradually, he lost
interest in the game,
in his classes,
was in danger of
losing the scholarship
He dropped out.
Took a job selling used
cars in Jamaica near
enough to the park
he could walk to see
his former teammates play.
After he left the team
his dad never
spoke to him again.

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