When Wille Mays Roamed Center Field

When Willie Mays Roamed Center Field

When Willie Mays roamed center field
Before his team went west
And Mantle in the Bronx the same
(the Yanks were usually best)
And Ike was in and war was out
Before the Cuban test
I delivered the Times from door to door
And read as I walked along:

Of tanks in Hungary to help the reds;
Of hydrogen bombs hanging over our heads;
Of southern boycotts Martin led;
I read it all in the Times.

Of Nixon and Khrushchev - the kitchen debate;
Of Sputnik spinning out in space;
How Andrea Doria sank to her fate;
I read it all in the Times.

When Willie thrilled the Polo Grounds
As Duke earned Brooklyn fame
And T.V. quiz shows scored a hit
Until the scandals came,
I was the first in town to see
The details and the names
‘cause I took the Times from door to door
And read as I walked along.