Inspiration Behind Centerfield:
As John Fogerty watched Joe Dimaggio and Mickey Mantle as a child, the concept for Centerfield was conceived. These childhood memories led Fogerty to craft the lyrics. While growing up in San Franciso, Fogerty viewed the position of Centerfield as the king, leader of a baseball team. This likely explains the mention of Willie Mays who played centerfield for the Giants. John mixes his own personal experiences playing baseball with the legends that he watched as a child.
Biblical Application:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, Ephesians 2:8-10,
Exegesis of Centerfield:
Well, I beat the drum and hold the phone
The sun came out today
We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field
A-roundin’ third and headed for home
It’s a brown-eyed handsome man
Anyone can understand the way I feel
Perhaps a reference to excitement for a baseball team, checking the weather to see if the game is on or not. This is either a reference to a newly sodded field or how a facility looks after adults work on the field before opening day. Born again could refer to the first game of the year where everyone is tied for first or a new day and game. John is either referring to Joe Dimaggio or Willie Mays about to score a run.
Oh, put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield
John is sitting on the bench, eager to get into this game. Placing thoughts into his coaches’ mind about being able to handle the position of centerfield.
Well, I spent some time in the Mudville Nine
Watching it from the bench
You know I took some lumps
When the Mighty Casey struck out
So say, “Hey Willie, tell Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio”
Don’t say it ain’t so you, know the time is now
John was on a baseball team, but not part of the starting nine. Beside watching from a dugout, John actively followed the Giants and Yankees of Major League Baseball. This explains the name dropping and baseball lingo.
Oh, put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield
John thinks he belongs, that he is good enough to play centerfield.
You got a beat up glove, a homemade bat
And a brand new pair of shoes
You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride
Just to hit the ball and touch ’em all, a moment in the sun
It’s a-gone and you can tell that one goodbye
Most people couldn’t afford top quality baseball gear, often playing with hand me downs, The best John’s family could do was a brand new pair of cleats. John is dreaming of what it would feel like to hit a home run.
Oh, put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield (yeah)
John is waiting on the bench, eager, persuasive and vocal about being able to handle centerfield.
Oh, put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Put me in, coach
I’m ready to play today
Look at me, gotta be centerfield
This is like a prayer, begging his coach to call his name after batting to enter this game.
Final Thoughts:
I played baseball for a decade and spent another 7 years playing on a competitive softball team with 7 guys who played college ball. I started my initial softball season batting 10th, trying to prove my worth as a left centerfielder. At the end of my final season, I batted third, sticking to what I was good at, hitting line drives into the outfield gaps and using my speed to hit doubles and triples. Baseball is a thinking man’s game so the more I played, the greater my knowledge and skills developed. Anticipating, positioning and technique enabled me to hold my own until I started coaching my own sons in my early 40’s. Once I learned to enjoy baseball instead of being consumed with winning, I reached my full potential.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 