Honus Wagner participating in his 2nd favorite sport with pitcher Claude Hendrix.
William A. Phelon, poet and sportswriter for The Chicago Daily News, Chicago Tribune, New York Morning Telegraph, Cincinnati Times-Star and St. Louis Star—where this poem about Honus Wagner appeared in 1904.
Hans Wagner, Hans Wagner, we see you lead once more
The Sluggers of the National League—if leather spher’s had gore
The blood of many a fractured globe would dew the faces where
Your mighty whacks, from shoulder swung, went whizzing through the air!
Hans Wagner, Hans Wagner—how oft we’ve felt the shivers
To see you striding to the plate, to knock our hopes to shivers!
How oft we’ve heard the call, “Two strikes,” to make us yelp and smile,
And then our blood was frozen up—you’ve smashed the thing a mile!
Hans Wagner, Hans Wagner, whene’er that ball you spank
We wonder if you think about the coin you’ve placed in bank?
For every time a mighty drive brings roaring cheer on cheer,
You’ve added to your chances for a boost in pay next year!
Hans Wagner, Hans Wagner, your habits are the best—
You never store bad whiskey in the space beneath your vest—
The midnight jag attracts you not—you murmur “Aber nit—
If I should get von chag dis nacht, zu morgen I’d not hit!”
Hans Wagner, Hans Wagner, you’ve saved a load of dough
The products of the scheme by which you give the slabman woe!
You’ve made a record that will live, you’ve gained tremendous fame—
A slugger of the A1 class—a credit to the game.
Baseball History Daily 
3 Responses to “A Thousand Words–Honus Wagner and Claude Hendrix”