Years ago, a fuzzy cheeked

Iowa  farmboy blazed into

the Mistake on the Lake.

His high heat was faster

than a motorcycle.

and set them all down.

Get a hit on opening day?

The Pale Hose would have to wait.

Eighteen Brownies swung and missed,

he faced the All-Stars in the Bronx,

he couldn't drink or smoke

but the Senior Circuit left the sacks bulging.

One hundred wins as a callow youth,

he was on his way to sign with the Tribe

on that infamous Sunday.

Then Rapid Robert heeded his country's call,

The Van Meter heater went on the shelf

unless things got slow on shipboard.

The Hawkeye farm boy served and went home,

and won more games, fanning more batters

than almost anyone else.

He even  helped the Tribe win the Series

But those battles in the Pacific

were his biggest foes

and all like those who served,

his biggest win.