"Black Center Fielders"

Center stage and center field, blacks shined,
Music and Baseball, no longer left behind.
 

Duke Ellington welcomed the Jazz Age,
Roaring 20's, Oscar Charleston earned Negro wage.
 

Big Bill Broonzy, sharecropper to The Blues,
Grays' Cool Papa Bell known for speedy shoes.
 

With trumpet and Jazz, Armstrong did combine,
Jackie and Doby breaking the color line.
 

Chuck Berry's riffs pioneered Rock n' Roll,
'54, Mays and Giants achieved their goal.
 

Jimi Hendrix playing guitar, Civil Rights,
Jimmy Wynn playing center, Blacks with Whites.
 

Bob Marley sang in the seventies of "One Love",
While a freed LeFlore covered ground with his glove.
 

Michael Jackson thrilled fans as King of Pop,
'82, McGee and Cards finished on top.
 

Black Music and Baseball in parallel,
Progress for both, a chance to do well.
 

Richard C. Welch, Jr. 4/2/14