Englewood Cliffs brothers add more honors to MLB Hall of Famers through poetry

Joshua Jongsma | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Chipper Jones: Hall of Famers 'a diverse group' Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman reflected on their election as the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame at a news conference on Thursday. (Jan 25)

Four brothers from Englewood Cliffs agree with the famous "Moneyball" mantra — it's hard not to be romantic about baseball.

Myles, Conor, Sal and Jack Campbell find their romance through poetry. For the past two years, the brothers — who range in age from a rising eighth-grader to college students — collaboratively wrote poems about each new member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

The poems led to thanks from several team representatives and an invite to Trevor Hoffman Day in San Diego, their father said. The rhymes are also kept at the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library.

"The Campbell brothers' Hall of Fame poems are preserving history by capturing and communicating the Hall of Famers' unique memories," the elder Myles Campbell said. "It's all about the memories."

Poems that highlight each Hall of Famer

As an example, the brothers wrote the following as part of their poem for Jim Thome:

612 times you hit a home run

Circled the bases one by one.

More walk-offs than anyone

Peoria’s pride and favorite son.

What a year you had in 02

52 dingers, a dream come true.

Opposing pitchers had no clue

To avoid the rendezvous

122 times they pitched around you. Six teams in 22 years

Surely heard your share of cheers

Greatest praise came from your peers

Always a good teammate who cares

Humble, gentle and sincere

Consistency and hard work defined your career

Your patience is what fans most revere.

The poems can be read in full at the end of the article.

This year they wrote about Thome, Vlad Guerrero, Trevor Hoffman, Chipper Jones, Alan Trammell and Jack Morris.

The Campbells research each inductee and get together at River Palm Terrace in Edgewater as a tradition to talk about the basics for the poems before it goes through several rounds of editing. Each brother contributes lines to each poem, all while maintaining a rhyme scheme.

"We try to focus on their accomplishments," Conor Campbell said.

For Chipper Jones, the poem highlighted his dominance over the New York Mets.

Gave Mets pitching all the jitters

Handled fastballs, sliders and splitters.

Went to Shea and had a field day

Smacked the ball night and day

All the way to Broadway.

The boys said they're already looking forward to writing poems for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera when they're inevitably inducted.

Before baseball, the brothers wrote poetry about other life lessons.

"Can’t always win, never give up, that type of stuff," the younger Myles Campbell said.

Story continues below the video

Family tradition

The boys' father instilled a love of the game in his family. Myles Campbell works as a scout for the San Diego Padres after a playing career that brought him to a Mexican league. He started as a successful ballplayer at now-defunct St. Cecilia High School in Englewood.

Campbell inherited his fandom from his father, and passed it on to his four sons. The four brothers, who all did or will attend Bergen County Tech, all played at various stages in their lives.

The patriarch of the family recalls listening to his father tell stories of Hall of Famers in his generation, and Myles Campbell was glad to do so with his kids too.

The family visited the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York before, but thought the tributes to the iconic players could use some more zest.

"We started to read the plaques and I came to my dad and I was like, 'These plaques, they’re not really exciting,'" the younger Myles Campbell said. "They just say the stats, not in a fun way. So I thought wouldn’t it be cool to make poems out of it."

Among the brothers, Myles and Conor root for the Yankees. Jack supports the Boston Red Sox, and the Philadelphia Phillies have Sal's allegiance.

The boys' father said his sons are old enough to soon remember watching the players themselves, and won't need to rely on his stories as much.

For the love of the game

The last two Hall of Fame classes have extra memorabilia thanks to the Campbells.

"The Campbell family has donated many poems to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, where they are kept on file," said Jon Shestakofsky, vice president of communications and education for the Hall of Fame. "Our library features more than three million documents, including thousands of poetry examples."

They have also sent their poems to the respective teams of the Hall of Famers, and the boys' father said they've received thanks for it. Jeff Bagwell's wife called it "heartfelt and special," according to Myles Campbell.

The Campbells left for San Diego Thursday for the weekend celebrating Hoffman. The family hopes to receive a jersey signed by the longtime Padres closer, a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque, get autographs, photos and meet the players during batting practice.

The elder Myles Campbell said everyone can learn lessons from the baseball Hall of Famers, whether they're fans or not.

"Not everyone is going to be a Major Leaguer and surely not everyone is going to be a Hall of Fame baseball player, or a Hall of Fame poet," he said. "However, everyone can find their passion in life, work hard and be the best that they can be at it."

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

The poems

They Called Him Cactus Jack

A Tribute to Jack Morris on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

Jack, you were the workhorse of the 1980’s

Most starts, innings, wins and Mercedes.

In spite of pitching for Captain Hook

You always seemed to finish what you undertook.

If the Tigers had a few more like you

The only relief needed would come from the grounds crew.

On the mound you were angry and tough.

No hitter would mistake you for a cream puff

Your fastball, slider and forkball made for some good stuff

Never afraid to go inside to handcuff

Or leave the batter swinging while on his duff.

Your bushy mustache was more than a little scruff.

Reminding opponents you were the real deal and not fluff.

It didn’t bother you to speak off-the-cuff

When that female reporter tried to interview you in the buff.

Who could forget game seven in your hometown Minnesota?

You showed the Braves that your career was far from over.

Manager Kelly knew when he looked into your steely eyes

Number 47 wouldn’t give up the ball even if paralyzed.

Ten scoreless innings and you could have went more

If Larkin didn’t drive Gladden in with the lone score.

You pitched like you always did with all of your heart

To this day, the fans remember it as a work of art.

It’s no wonder you ended up with four rings

After all your pitches netted so many empty swings.

Never an ounce of quit in your bones

You battled every good hitter and even the unknowns.

Competitive spirit was your greatest attribute

To be among the best, your pursuit

Although the route wasn’t so swift

And at times you might have felt miffed

All the batters who you whiffed

Wished that for every night game you were on the day shift.

For all you overcame

As you bravely played the waiting game

That well deserved plaque now bears your name.

We are all here to exclaim

Congratulations, Mr. Morris

Welcome to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018

Six-Four-Three

A Tribute to Alan Trammell on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

Baseball is a game of numbers

Most would agree

Six-Four-Three and Four-Six-Three

Are two ways to record a DP.

Tram and Sweet Lou

Were the best at turning two.

Together for nineteen years

You did everything in pairs

Double plays, scoring runs, running stairs

Even going out for a couple of beers.

Joined from the hip right from the start

Complimentary play set you apart.

Then in 87 with admiration and glee

He gave you 2nd base in lieu of MVP.

Always a Tiger through and through

Twenty years wearing white and navy blue.

When you hit your highs

The Tigers began to rise

As the face of the franchise

You helped bring home the big prize.

You had a banner year

During the Roar of 84

When you did even better in 87

It must have felt a little bit like heaven.

In 87 when Sparky asked you to bat fourth

Your numbers continued to go north

Against opponent’s pitching you had a feast

Helping the Tigers win the AL East

And in the field, a one out ground ball with a runner on first

Was all it took to extinguish a potential scoring outburst.

Number 3, your soft hands and quick release

Were like strokes of another Rembrandt masterpiece.

Who could imagine what your numbers would be

If you never had an injury?

Shoulder, ankle, knee

Did you ever foresee?

A great career while playing through pain

Has earned you the claim

Well done, Mr. Trammell.

You’re now a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018

The Curse of The Commerce Comet

A Tribute to Chipper Jones on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

The Mick only had a few regrets

Didn’t hit very well against the Mets

Maybe distracted by all those jets.

Instead of bunch of empty threats

A curse he left to pay back his debts

Like the Bambino from Massachusetts.

Someone modeled after The Mick

Better in New York than Candlestick

Who did #7 handpick?

One of baseball’s best switch hitters

Gave Mets pitching all the jitters

Handled fastballs, sliders and splitters.

Went to Shea and had a field day

Smacked the ball night and day

All the way to Broadway.

They called you Larry

Upset you? Quite to the contrary

Home runs were so customary

Named your son Shea and not Harry.

Hope his baseball skills are hereditary.

Wouldn’t that be scary?

If the curse wasn’t just temporary

And this story became legendary.

Grandpa Larry called a visionary

Number 10 a missionary

Son Shea a luminary

Costas with the commentary

And Met fans suffering another coronary.

Hitting was part of your DNA

Braves glad you decided to stay.

World champs in 95

Cox and Chipper started to thrive

MVP in 99

“Nerdle Neck” once again did shine.

Batting title in 08

Not too late to celebrate.

Alongside Mantle and others besides

Your Hall of Fame plaque now resides.

Next to all your well known clones

Congratulations, Chipper Jones.

Better than winning the triple crown

You’ve earned your place in Cooperstown.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018

“A walk is not as good as a hit”

A Tribute to Vladimir Guerrero on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

You defied all convention

Impossible not to mention

Ball bounced before the plate

Crushed it just to demonstrate

Hand eye coordination made you great.

Your strike zone was in Kuwait.

Pitchers didn’t know where to locate.

No one can dictate

That successful hitting is boilerplate.

Your unique style did liberate

Allowed you to dominate.

No batting gloves were your trait

One more way to differentiate.

Battled opponents on PlayStation.

After relaxing with a little libation

You were ready for the confrontation.

Career was a huge sensation

Worthy of every standing ovation.

Nine times an All Star

100 RBI’s like taking candy from a jar.

126 first pitch home runs

Two strong arms as guns.

MVP in 04

.337 BA, 124 runs and much more.

Came from a humble start

Maybe that’s what set you apart.

Had to work hard at a young age

Support your family with a living wage.

You drank water from puddles

Strong will to overcome your struggles.

A Mom that surely knew how to cook

There to support you whatever it took.

Number 27, you had all the tools

Power, speed, arm and your own set of rules.

Congratulations, Big Daddy Vladdy.

As large as your physical frame.

Hard work and all you overcame

Your name now resides in the Hall of Fame.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018

Popeye – The Home Run King

A Tribute to Jim Thome on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

A batting coach named Manuel

The future he did foretell.

Said you would do well.

Got you to believe you could excel.

“Point the bat like a magic spell”

From your swing the ball did propel

You always hit with power

Fastballs you loved to devour

Even at 100 miles per hour.

Wore your socks high

Sent the ball bye-bye.

Never acted as a wise guy.

Role model you did satisfy.

American as apple pie

A place in history you now occupy.

612 times you hit a home run

Circled the bases one by one.

More walk-offs than anyone

Peoria’s pride and favorite son.

What a year you had in 02

52 dingers, a dream come true.

Opposing pitchers had no clue

To avoid the rendezvous

122 times they pitched around you.

Six teams in 22 years

Surely heard your share of cheers

Greatest praise came from your peers

Always a good teammate who cares

Humble, gentle and sincere

Consistency and hard work defined your career

Your patience is what fans most revere.

All your friends are jumping up and down

The ballots have now been written down.

Well done, Mr. Thome

Strength is more than a common noun.

Everyone holds you in great renown

Your plaque now hangs in Cooperstown.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018

What time is it when “Hells Bells*” chime?

A Tribute to Trevor Hoffman on his election to the National Baseball HOF Class of 2018

By The Campbell Brothers

As “Hells Bells*” began to chime

A singing usher from Anaheim

Out of his convertible, he did climb

With strong Marine voice sang a new rhyme

Baseball is America’s great pastime

And now it’s Trevor Time.

Ran in from the bullpen in a blaze

Left the batters in a daze

And the fans with nothing but praise

As you recorded all those K’s.

Did your job to preserve the win

As the Padres favored kingpin.

You turned boos to cheers

Brought consistency for so many years.

Gifted with a menacing glare

Try to hit it if you dare

Batters were left in despair

Wished they had said a little prayer

Experiencing their worst nightmare

As your changeup disappeared in thin air.

Made us all very aware

Just how special and rare

You were a closer extraordinaire.

Known for your high leg kick

The ball was harder to find than a deer tick

Even for a hitter with a big stick

Making contact required a magic trick.

First to 600 saves

Against Dodgers, Rockies and even the Braves

Who could forget 98

When you converted 41 straight?

Did everything with your heart and soul

Even when you proposed at the Super Bowl.

Many runs you did not yield

The world’s eyes will all be peeled

As your Hall of Fame plaque is revealed

Proudly joining Gwynn and Winfield.

Baseball is more than just a game

For it’s Trevor Time at the Hall of Fame.

* “Hells Bells” is AC/DC’s song that was played at Padres’ games when Trevor Hoffman was called in to pitch.

Copyright The Campbell Brothers 2018