my favorite spring

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 schoolyards

i once had a try-out

with the saint louie cards

the cardinals said

young'un

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 favourite 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 pitchin' down in tampa

i was doin' 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 mornin'

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 favourite 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 goin' down like ten-pins

i really had 'em wired

bottom of the seventh

throwin' easy as can be

somethin' 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 favourite 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