The Pecan Park Eagle

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Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Spring’s coming soon,

And baseball is too!

While we’re staring out the window at those ashen gray skies, fighting the cold dampness and awaiting the return of all that’s sweet about life, here’s a St. Valtentine’s Day lineup that’s designed to massacre the off-season blues with our love of the game. All the players on this special team are former major leaguers who mostly have passed the “ya gotta have heart” test.

The St. Valentine’s Day Love Massacre Lineup:

Pitcher: Slim Love (BL/TL) (28-21, 3.04) (1913-1920)

Catcher: Rick Sweet (BB/TR) (.234, 6 HR) (1978, 1982-1983)

First Base: Cupid Childs (BL/TR) (.306, 20 HR) (1888, 1890-1901)

Second Base: Bobby Valentine (BR/TR) (.260, 12 HR) (1969, 1971-1979)

Third Base: Jim Ray Hart (BR/TR) (.278, 170 HR) ((1963-1974)

Shortstop: Jake Flowers ((BR/TR) (.256, 16 HR) (1923, 1926-1934)

Left Field: Pete Rose (BB/TR) (.303, 4,256 career hits) (1963-1986)

Center Field: Bob Bowman (BR/TR) (.249, 129 career hits) (1955-1959)

Right Field: Moonlight Graham (BL/TR) (1 Game, 0 At Bats) (1905)

Manager: Bobby Valentine doubles as playing manger. His overly qualified back-up at second base, Cupid Childs, is too Valentine-cool not to play, so he is assigned to play first base for our club. Meanwhile, after a 105-year wait, Moonlight Graham gets a chance with this club to finally to take his first time at bat in the big leagues. How romantic is that?

Happy Valentine’s Day, Everybody! And don’t forget to treat your Special Sweetie nice on Sunday, February 14th!