Spring training failures and losing
A handful of disgruntled fans sat in the stands to welcome home a ragged and worn-out band of major-league ballplayers who had just finished spring training without a single victory, not even over their lowliest farm clubs.
As the players lined up at home plate for the traditional march to the flagpole for the raising of Old Glory, the muttering in the stands grew louder and louder. As they approached the closed doubledoored exit gate near which rose the flagpole, one fan could stand the pain of it all no longer. He leaped to his feet and, in a voice of anguish, cried, "Open the gate, somebody! Open the gate and let the poor slobs keep marching!"
