"Albie Pearson Got It Done" indeed (w/ halo)

Albie Pearson was the signature player with the early Los Angeles Angels baseball team. He was never a superstar in the mold of Harmon Killebrew, but his bat did have spark. He was quite diminutive, standing only five feet-seven. He weighed 140 pounds.

Prior to the creation of Gene Autry's Angels, he played for Calvin Griffith's Washington Senators and then the Baltimore Orioles. He could have been an original Minnesota Twin. But, he moved on as so many baseball players did. In his native California, he reached his prime as a ballplayer. The Angels had their first season in 1961.
I have written an extensive essay on Albie on my companion website, "Morris of Course." I invite you to read by clicking on the permalink below. Thanks.
http://morrisofcourse.blogspot.com/2015/12/albie-pearson-endears-with-signature-on.html
 
Today I have lyrics/poetry on Albie to share with you, called "Albie Pearson Got It Done." He has been a saint in his post-baseball life, establishing institutions to help troubled youth. He's quite a committed Christian person too. Hats off to Albie.
Here's my poetic offering on Albie the baseball player, with a chorus that could be sung. The verses are to be presented narration-style, no melody. Just think of the song "Convoy" by C.W. McCall. It's set up like that. Oh, and keep in mind when you see poetry or lyrics on my sites, it's subject to revision.
 

"Albie Pearson Got It Done"

by Brian Williams
 

The Angels came to play their game in 1961

A whole new team to chase their dreams in the L.A. sun

A little man would take command with that fledgling crew

Running fast on outfield grass, swinging hard and true
 

Fans would rise and memorize the Albie Pearson name

Looking large on their scorecards as they watched each game

Big league ball was standing tall there on that West Coast

Taking planes instead of trains made our nation close
 

CHORUS:

Albie Pearson got it done back in 1961

Wowing fans in La-La Land

He expressed the city's brand

Playing great in his home state

Making baseball shine first rate

Win or lose they brought us fun

Albie Pearson got it done

 

Giants, Dodgers felt the urge, leaving NYC

Yankees were the only team not a memory

Ebbets Field was gone for real, New York sang the blues

Polo Grounds would hang around 'til the Mets were news
 

Willie Mays would see new days by the Bay so grand

Sandy Koufax was the max in his newfound land

Fans were glad the Angels had stars to cheer on too

Not enough to really strut, but they could come through
 

Ken McBride could find his stride on the pitching mound

Earl Averill gave us thrills, hitting homers loud

Albie shone in his new home - what a neighborhood

All those beaches within reach, close to Hollywood
 

(repeat chorus)
 

The owner's box was all the talk with that singing gent

From the screen he owned that team, knowing what it meant

Fans could see ol' Gene Autry staying right on course

So beloved in cinema, singing from his horse
 

With halos on, the team built bonds, hearty all the way

Cheers and shouts were heard throughout Californi-aye

Looking good in Hollywood, up on that marquee

On a par with movie stars, sharing in that scene
 

They were in where Errol Flynn flashed his shining sword

Where the reign of ol' John Wayne was the town's last word

Rod Carew would join that crew, hitting in his prime

With Gene Mauch he kept his stock elevated high
 

Years go by and yet we strive to recoup the past

We recall the old baseball, Albie and that cast

Leon Wagner hit with verve, causing quite the buzz
We recall his moniker: "Daddy Wags" it was

 

The team today just comes to play, 55 years old

Looking good like Albie would, confident and bold

Fans would chant to see this man so diminutive

He just played real hard each day, all that he could give
 

(repeat chorus)