A little boy, in a baseball hat,
stands in the field, with his ball and bat.
An' says "I'm the greatest baseball player of 'em all!"
He puts his bat on his shoulder, and he tosses up his ball.

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

Now the little boy, doesn't say a word...
He picks up his ball; he is undeterred.
An' says "I am the greatest there ever has been!"
And he grits his teeth. And he tries it again.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,
and he swings his bat all the way around.
And the world's so still you can hear the sound,
as the baseball falls, to the ground.

He makes no excuses; he shows no fear
He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers.

Now the little boy adjusts his hat.
Picks up his ball. Stares at his bat
An' says "I am the greatest, and the game's on the line!"
So he gives it his all, one last time.

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

Now it's supper time, and his momma calls.
The little boy starts home, with his bat and ball
An' says, "I am the greatest, and that's a fact...
but even I didn't know I could pitch like that!"

KENNY ROGERS