Parentheses are symbols, containing additional comments
To explain or qualify a word’s contents
To them "Red" Sanders’ quote has an ominous ring:
"Winning isn’t everything; winning is the only thing."**
A good player becomes better and a better one great.
Little consideration is given to the twists of fate.
First, it’s one and then there are clones.
Everybody wants to keep up with the Jones.***
Parentheses do not require synthesis.
To highlight facts that need emphasis.
PE’s are Parenthetical Players’ cheat sheets,
That enabled them to achieve astounding athletic feats.
HGH has gained the most attention and notoriety.
Other sports ban substances of the same variety.
Should their names go on a banner ****
Above those of Roger Maris’ and Mickey Mantle’s?
Was "Juice" in Barry Bonds' tank *****
When he eclipsed "Babe" and "Hammering Hank"?
Parentheses do not require synthesis
To highlight facts that need emphasis.
One "Bash Brother" became a whistle blower,
While scandal hounds the flame thrower.
The Eleventh Commandment needs more thought:
Remember, "Thou shalt not get caught!"
Your lofty legacy will be rejected.
As a player you won’t be respected.
Don’t place yourself in the same category
As those who rode natural ability into history?
Parentheses do not require synthesis.
To highlight facts that need emphasis.
*(Performance Enhancer use suspected); (a patient of Dr. Anthony Galea); (involved with Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO); GIA (Guilty by Association); IBA (Implicated by Association).
**Originally used by Henry "Red" Sanders in 1950 at UCLA, later used by Vince Lombardi, Paul "Bear" Bryant and others.
***Marian Jones was stripped of her Olympic medal because of banned usage.
For Alzado, Armstrong, Benoit, Bonds, Cantador, Clemons, Johnson, Jones, McGwire, Rodriguez and others—the PARENTHESIS ( ) will be omni-present.
****Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco were called the "Bash Brothers" early in their careers. In 1998 McGwire hit 70 ( ) home runs to break the single season record set by Roger Maris in 1961. Mantle and Maris were called the "Blond Bombers".
*****Barry Bonds broke hit 73 ( ) home runs in 2001 to break the single season record set by Mark McGwire in 1998. He hit number 756 ( ) and broke Aaron’s career home run record on September 23, 2006, ending his career with 762 ( ) "jacks".
© Revised March 23, 2011
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