an annual affront to Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night 'fore Cub Christmas, and all through the ballpark
Not a creature was stirring, not even DeRo (Mark);
Cub fans' wishes were hung by the bleachers with care,
In hopes that St. Hendry soon would be there;
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of championships danced in their heads;
And Lou in his uniform, and Larry in low-billed cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
Lou sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon shining down on the hockey rink there
Gave the lustre of mid-day to all in the air.
But then, it appeared, as if in a dream:
A blue and white sleigh carrying his baseball team!
With a big old driver, so lively, not slim,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Jim.
More rapid than Gathright his players they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dempster! now, Lilly!
Now, Harden and Z!
On, A-Ram! on Soto!
On, Dome and Lee!
I'll get you a Bradley!
Or maybe a Dunn!
I simply won't rest till a title is won!"
The dry leaves that fall from the ivy walls die,
When they start to regrow, then Marmol's slider flies,
And over on a rooftop there's Ronny and Theriot,
Is the sleigh full of gifts? Only Hendry does know.
And then, in a twinkling, among some bright flowers
The prancing and pawing of little Kevin Towers.
As Jim showed his hand when seeking a Peavy,
Towers wanted too much -- you saw that on TV.
Just so we'd remember, Sori did a bunny hop;
And there's Z all in blue, from his feet to his top,
Little Mikey Fontenot, Z had flung on his back,
And we worried that feat might put him out of whack.
But back to Jim -- offers out there to see!
We all wonder whether he can trade Jason Marquis!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And who's the Brewers' closer? We yet do not know;
We feel bad for Santo, who's still not in the Hall,
But perhaps next month, Andre Dawson gets that call.
Jim had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
Once again... that stanza stays as is. Anyway:
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread;
He spoke not to us, but went straight to his cell,
And filled up the roster; then gave out a yell:
"Kerry Wood may be gone, but the pen will be fine;
I'll give you a club that can win in '09!"
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a call,
And we heard Dempster say, "We will win it all!"
Then we heard Jim exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
0 recs | 32 comments
Thank you, Al
Brilliant.
I used to read the original to my boys every Christmas eve just before their bedtime. Clement Moore is my wife’s great-grandfather.
Happy holidays to all at BCB!
leothelip - December 24, 2008
Wow, an actual relation to Clement Moore?
Cool. Thanks for the compliment. Merry Christmas.
Al Yellon - December 24, 2008
Great job
and it even rhymes! A Cubs classic. Let’s hope this cold and snow stops soon, I can’t wait till spring, I’ve had enough.
mrcubsfan - December 24, 2008
LOL
I loved it to pieces Al.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it and a continued Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate Hannukah.
And here’s a survey for all. What’s the one Christmas song that if you hear one more time you’ll throw your radio out the window?
Mine is The Little Drummer Boy. If you ever really want to torture me make me listen to that.
puckishcubsfan - December 24, 2008
Feliz Navidad/I'll be Home for Christmas
Great Job, Al! Yet another great post-Happy Hannukah!
cubswgnrocks - December 24, 2008
Maybe that counts as "enhanced interrogation techniques"
Forget waterboarding… if you really want to get me to give up the launch codes, just blast the Muppets 12 Days of Christmas in my head 3 or 4 times.
IowaCubs- - December 24, 2008
Any of the
4.3 million different versions of Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. Well done Al!
Fonzie2178 - December 24, 2008
Ho! Ho! Hoffpauir!
…in right field?? Oh my.
Very well done, Al.
Here’s a Christmas wish: signing a bat worthy of parking a few on Sheffield.
IowaCubs- - December 24, 2008
Well done, Al.
daver - December 24, 2008
NEXT YEAR
Let’s hope buying presents for us is really easy for our families in 09 as our lists are filled with World Series DVDs, tshirts, sweatshirts etc!
puckishcubsfan - December 24, 2008
Thanks Al
I’ll gather the kids around the tree tonight and read it to them … it can be a new family tradition!
StampMe - December 24, 2008
Thanks, Al and Happy Hanukkah!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Jettero2112 - December 24, 2008
I love the Bradley part :)
ARAM FOR MVP - December 24, 2008
That made my day
I got my husband a Zambrano jersey for Christmas and just the other day he went on and on about how he can’t stand Zambrano’s antics, throwing things, etc. But I bet he’ll wear it. What do y’all think?
mlern - December 24, 2008
If he doesn't want it, I'll take it.
I’m sure he will wear it, no worries.
CubbieintheSouth - December 24, 2008
Very nice Al.
Thanks and Happy Holidays to all.
sue369 - December 24, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!
Very cool Al, Thanks
ThisOldCub18 - December 24, 2008
Great job, Al!
You’ve out-done yourself this time!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all.
DMH
DeRoMyHero - December 24, 2008
Thanks!
Thought you’d like the DeRo touch.
Al Yellon - December 24, 2008
Always! :-)
DeRoMyHero - December 25, 2008
Well done
Very nice Al – Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah
coral - December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
to all you BCB butt munchers!!
Cubs and Hawks fan - December 24, 2008
Nicely done, Al.
Enjoy the holidays everyone.
Bill Potter - December 24, 2008
Cousin
Found out my cousin is a lurker here. I linked to this poem in an email. Everyone loved it! Trying to encourage him to post!
puckishcubsfan - December 24, 2008
That was excellent
Great job Al.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all.
No Southern Belle - December 24, 2008
Yay!
Well done!
Happy Holiday (or non-holiday) of choice to everyone!
znohitter - December 24, 2008
And to all a good night!
Shanghai Badger - December 24, 2008
Beautiful
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukkah to all.
Go Cubs.
Grockcubs - December 24, 2008
Merry christmas, everyone!
Time to sleep!
Chanman25 - December 24, 2008
I just wanted to send a Merry Christmas shout out to Cubs fans
I’ve always been treated with respect in this room. I was actually introduced to SB Nation by a Cubs fan and as a result; my work has suffered, I sleep less, I’m angry more and I’m addicted to lots of opining, conjecture and punditry.
HOWEVA! I’ve become a better baseball fan for it and I’m having fun!
Merry Christmas!
LOUtheMETandNATSfan - December 25, 2008
Thanks. Same good wishes to you.
Though we won’t promise to help you get more work done or sleep more…
DeRoMyHero - December 25, 2008
Wonderful
Merry Christnas Al and allt he great BCB folks.
carolinacub - December 25, 2008
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