"The Greatest"
Don Schlitz, writer
Kenny Rogers, singer
1999

Little Boy, in a baseball hat Stands in the field with his ball and bat Says I am the greatest player of them all Puts his bat on his shoulder and he tosses up his ball

And the ball goes up and the ball comes down Swings his bat all the way around The world's so still you can hear the sound The baseball falls to the ground

Now the little boy doesn't say a word Picks up his ball, he is undeterred Says I am the greatest there has ever been And he grits his teeth and he tries it again

And the ball goes up and the ball comes down Swings his bat all the way around The world's so still you can hear the sound The baseball falls to the ground

He makes no excuses, He shows no fears He just closes his eyes and listens to the cheers

Little boy, he adjusts his hat Picks up his ball, stares at his bat Says I am the greatest the game is on the line And he gives his all one last time

And the ball goes up like the moon so bright Swings his bat with all his might And the world's so still as still can be And the baseball falls, and that's strike three

Now it's supper time and his mama calls Little boy starts home with his bat and ball Says I am the greatest that is a fact

But even I didn't know I could pitch like that