No way do I claim Ron as best friend
I transferred schools senior year
One day an out of control car
Sped down the hill and through our yard
Tore up shrubs and lawn
Half hour later two embarrassed boys
Were knocking on our front door
Ron was with my friend Larry
He hadn't yet taken his drivers test
So it was they were in deep do do
Dad fixed the damage, Dad would not know
Next day two boys were at my door
"You a baseball player?" With a dream
Three boys dreamed of playing in the major leagues
I was a left handed pitcher they were catchers.
Every day rain or shine we were at Columbia field
I was there the day Ron made a 314 yard hole in one
He could hit a baseball a mile
He could not throw a ball to second base
He became a near Hall of Fame player at third
I signed a make good $500 bonus $500 a month
Contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
One day we decided, Ron decided, batting practice
Using a bucket of tennis balls, threw a curve
I didn't go to the Pirates--first curve ball---!
One day Larry and I saw Ron at the ballpark
"Who do you guys play for?" "Got get back with the team."
Ron lived and breathed baseball. Boyhood friends parted
But for one year we all shared the same dream
Ron Santo deserved being in the Baseball Hall of Fame
For the dedication he showed playing the game