Ty Cobb is a member
you made him your face 
He assaulted the disabled 
and gauged others by race

Ignoring “periferals”
you opened your door 
while shutting out others 
expecting much more

An angel in the outfield
a prince to the fans
Are we judging an athlete 
or examining a man?

Ball doctoring was outlawed 
but you grandfathered abusers 
Now crying “level playing field” 
when we talk steroid users

Decrees based on a substance 
That had yet to be banned
Instead of on home runs
Steals or batters they fanned

The games always changing 
and new standards are found 
to adjust for pitch counts
or how the balls wound

Am I pleased the games tainted? 
no, I think this fact all will bemoan 
but the games and plays happened 
with or without growth hormones

We don’t “retrospect” bad calls
like the perfect game for Galarraga 
so why pretend away
the fruits of this saga

But one guy named Mitchell
comes out with a list
Names are dragged through the mud Accomplishments dismissed

Innocent til proven guilty
is the American way
Where no failure exists
facts only should come into play

Judge, jury, executioner 
Now you make yourself God
and expect every January 
for us to stand and applaud

Though changing physique and longevity 
are hard to deny
a grand jury failed in proving
that these players have lied

I won’t try to argue
omissions like ARod or Manny 
as the smoking gun pee test 
leaves us little as plan b

You can put in your asterisk 
But Bonds IS home run king
Guys won their Cy Young’s, MVPs
And World Series rings

PED offenders aren’t alone
falling through the balloting sieve 
As others deemed guilty
have their own narrative

The a case for some Black Sox 
and even Pete Rose
The player, not manager
and guys like Weaver and Joe

Claims of tossed games and bribes 
would be truly abhorrent
If the stat sheets had anything
to give these accusations warrant

The Rose betting on games
should be persona non grata
but the all time hits leader
thats hall worthy data

So put in the catcher
and leave out Chick Gandil
you’re writers…telling THIS story 
makes you less of a vandal

Not everyone’s Griffey or Ripkin 
Now Mariano and soon Jeter
but the halls a glass house
the way it’s determining cheaters

You erase the fans history 
the card traders story
of who’s the most valuable 
and who defines glory

These men brought the game back
after the strike caused decline
you KNEW…but you loved it
And now force them to sit on the pine

I know my opinion may not match 
those of the association
but perhaps some of you holdouts 
take these words into consideration