My Favorite Spring - Tom Paxton

I used to play baseball.

I used to love to play

The people all said I’d be a winner someday

We played on the sandlots and the gravel school yards

I once had a tryout with the Saint Louie Cards

The Cardinals said, «Young'in, we sure like your arm.»

We believe you can make it.

We’ll send you down to the farm

You need a little seasonin', play a little double «A»

We’ll give you a chance to show how much you want to play

That was my favorite spring.

I could do anything

Full six feet tall and lean, I was just seventeen

My fastball was nothin' but smoke.

My curve ball snapped and broke

My change-up made 'em look bad.

They couldn’t hit a thing I had

I was pitching down in Tampa.

I was doing really well

I was in the rotation.

I was givin' 'em Hell

I threw a two-hitter, ought to heard people shout

The very next morning Korean war broke out

On the spur of the moment I didn’t have any plans

I went and joined the Air Force.

I wound up in Japan

I pitched for the squadron.

We toured all the camps

We didn’t have any problem.

We were all Far East Champs

That was my favorite spring.

I could do anything

Full six feet tall and lean, I was just seventeen

My fastball was nothin' but smoke.

My curve ball snapped and broke

My change-up made 'em look bad.

They couldn’t hit a thing I had

I was throwin' a no-hitter the day McArthur got fired

They were going down like ten-pins.

I really had 'em wired

Bottom of the seventh throwin' easy as can be

Something snapped in my shoulder.

That was all she wrote for me

Well I finished up my service and I moved back down here

I married a fine lady and I found a new career

We had us a young son and we watched Jimmy grow

And the first time he asked I taught him everything I know

And this is my favorite spring.

He can do anything

Full six feet tall and lean, He’s just seventeen

His fastball gives 'em the shakes.

His curve ball snaps and brakes

His change-up makes 'em look bad.

People say he takes after his dad!