To All Phenoms Who Sail Through High School, Kings Of The Prom,
Unaware Of The Curse Of Gregg Jefferies, Donruss Card #35, 1989

The worst dharmic fate
is to come out of Millbrae, California,
or from wherever you live,
touted as a Rated Rookie,
with bright white teeth perfectly yearbook,
the glamour smile so irrepressible,
as if you just couldn't help but be so good.

because the cardboard god
punishes arrogance, obnoxiousness

Rated Rookies become tainted
Ask the '87, '88, '89, '90 Mets
how they treated Jefferies,
how they jammed humility
down his self-sung throat.

One must suffer
for lacking perspective,
Rated Rookie,
one must suffer
and change.