Mikado

I heard this from an Italian instructor, so read it with an accent if you can. It's pretty good stuff.

A young man named Mario came to America to find a better life. He found a quaint place in New York not far from Yankee Stadium. After he saved up enough money, he brought over his high school sweetheart to be married. In his letter before she left on the boat he told her,

"Maria, yousa going to lovea New York. They havea this game called baseaball, it's the mosta popular sport in America. Here in New York we hava the besta team in baseaball. The New York Yankees. The team hasa some good Italian boys. Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, and the besta player in baseaball Joe DiMaggio. Yousa going to love it!"

Not long after Maria arrived Mario bought tickets to a game at Yankee Statium. As they walked a few blocks down the street Mario told Maria,

"Maria. Watcha what I do at the baseaball game. When I cheer, yousa cheer. When I boo, yousa boo."

They arrive at the game and take their seats. In the bottom of the first Rizzuto gets up to bat and slaps a single. Mario stands up and shouts,

"Run a Rizzuto, run!"

Maria follows "Run a Rizzuto, run!"

The next batter gets up and pops out. Then Yogi Berra gets up to bat and slaps a double. Mario leaps up and shouts,

"Run a Yogi, run!"

Maria follows "Run a Yogi, run!"

However, the outfielder makes a good play and holds Rizzuto at third. There are now runners on second and third. Finally, DiMaggio gets up to bat. He takes a walk and starts to walk to first.

Maria, catching on, stands up and shouts "Run a Joe, run!"

Mario responds, "No Maria, he doesa not have to run. He hasa four balls."

Maria then yells "STRUT a Joe, STRUT!"

Jadey

I love that joke!