My Favorite Spring

I used to play baseball

I used to love to play

The people all said

I'd be a winner someday

We played on the sandlots

And the gravel schoolyards

I once had a try-out

With the Saint Louie Cards

The Cardinals said

Young'un, we sure like your arm

We believe you can make it

We'll send you down to the farm

You need a little seasonin'

Play a little double-A

We'll give you a chance to show

How much you want to play

That was my favourite spring

I could do anything

Full six feet tall and lean

I was just seventeen

My fastball was nothin' but smoke

My curve-ball snapped and broke

My change-up made 'em look bad

They couldn't hit a thing I had

I was pitchin’ down in Tampa

I was doin’ really well

I was in the rotation

I was givin' 'em Hell

I threw a two-hitter

Ought to heard people shout

The very next mornin’

Korean war broke out

On the spur of the moment

I didn't have any plans

I went and joined the Air Force

I wound up in Japan

I pitched for the squadron

We toured all the camps

We didn't have any problem

We were all Far East Champs

That was my favourite spring

I could do anything

Full six feet tall and lean

I was just seventeen

My fastball was nothin' but smoke

My curve-ball snapped and broke

My change-up made 'em look bad

They couldn't hit a thing I had

I was throwin' a no-hitter

The day McArthur got fired

They were goin’ down like ten-pins

I really had 'em wired

Bottom of the seventh

Throwin' easy as can be

Somethin’ snapped in my shoulder

That was all she wrote for me

Well, I finished up my service

And I moved back down here

I married a fine lady

And I found a new career

We had us a young son

And we watched Jimmy grow

And the first time he asked

I taught him everything I know

And this is my favourite spring

He can do anything

Full six feet tall and lean

He's just seventeen

His fastball gives 'em the shakes

His curve-ball snaps and brakes

His change-up makes 'em look bad

People say he takes after his dad