Bruckner wasn't bad Even though he got down On his knees And proclaimed Wagner The master

It saddens me, I guess, In a small way Because while Wagner was Hitting all those homers Bruckner was sacrificing The runners to second And her knew it.

And I know that Mixing baseball metaphors with classical Music Will not please the purists Either.

I prefer Ruth to most of his teammates But I appreciate those others who did The best they could And kept on doing it Even when they knew they Were second best

This is your club fighter Your back up quarterback The unknown jock who sometimes Brings one in At 40-to-one

This was Bruckner

There are times when we should Remember The strange courage Of the second-rate Who refuse to quit When the nights Are black and long and sleepless And the days are without End.

                                         -Charles Bukowski