Al Lang Zyne

by
Grantland Rice

When Honus Wagner was a tot, and Connie Mack a kid, when Uncle Abner Doubleday was starting baseball's bid,
When Caesar's Legions conquered Gaul and lifted Gallic scalps, When Hannibal's big elephants were moving through the Alps,
When Cleopatra ruled the Nile and had men on the run, Al Lang was luring big league clubs to St. Pete's golden sun.

When Pickett's charge at Gettysburg where hope was less than scant, When Lee at Appomattox, stopped a fellow known as Grant,
When umpires had a million friends, and crowds stood up to cheer decisions that might cost the game, without a single jeer.
When Stonewall Jackson earned his fame through Shenandoah's beat, Al Lang was telling all the world the glory of St. Pete.

When Cain and Abel fought it out, before an ancient mob, When no one ever heard of Ruth, of Speaker or of Cobb,
When Cardinals were always last, or even lower still, And Cat Brecheen was much too young to throw the winning pill,
When Slaughter had no arm at all, with Musial and Moore, Al Lang was bringing ivory to St. Pete's sunny shore.

So let's now stand and sing that more than famous line...
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, three cheers for Al Lang Zyne."