The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that-- We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat." And the former was hoodoo, while the latter a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat, For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat. And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third. It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat. There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat. Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt; Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip. And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-- "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said. Like the beating of the storm-waves on stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand. He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two!" But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they say his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again. He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, and how he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow. The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville--great Casey has struck out. |
|
There were saddened hearts in Mudville for week or even more;They called him "Strike-Out Casey," from the mayor down the line; And as he came to bat each day his bosom heaved a sigh, While a look of hopeless fury shone in mighty Casey's eye. That when he strolled up to the plate they made the welkin ring; But now his nerve had vanished, for when he heard them hoot He "fanned" or "popped out" daily, like some minor league recruit. No home runs on the score card now were chalked against his name; The fans without exception gave the manager no peace, For one and kept clamoring for Casey's quick release. Their playing went from bad to worse--nobody seemed to care. "Back to the woods with Casey!" was the cry from Rooters Row. "Get some one who can hit the ball, and let that big dub go!" And Fate, though fickle, often gives another chance to men; And Casey smiled; his rugged face no longer wore a frown-- The pitcher who had started all the trouble came to town. To see the twirler who put big Casey on the bum; And when he stepped into the box, the multitude went wild; He doffed his cap in proud disdain, but Casey only smiled. But in that throng of thousands there was not a single fan Who thought that Mudville had a chance, and with the setting sun Their hopes sank low--the rival team was leading "four to one." But when the first man up hit safe, the crowd began to roar; The din increased, the echo of ten thousand shouts was heard When the pitcher hit the second and gave "four balls" to the third. A triple meant the highest niche in Mudville's hall of fame; But here the rally ended and the gloom was deep as night, When the fourth one "fouled to catcher" and the fifth "flew out to right." When Casey walked up, bat in hand, and slowly took his place; His bloodshot eyes in fury gleamed, his teeth were clenched in hate; He gave his cap a vicious hook and pounded on the plate. There were no wild and woolly cheers, no glad acclaim this day; They hissed and groaned and hooted as they clamored: "Strike him out!" But Casey gave no outward sign that he had heard this shout. Another hiss, another groan. "Strike one!" the umpire said. Zip! Like a shot the second curve broke just below the knee. "Strike two!" the umpire roared aloud; but Casey made no plea. But here the pitcher whirled again--was that a rifle shot? A whack, a crack, and out through the space the leather pellet flew, A blot against the distant sky, a speck against the blue. The sphere sailed on--the blot grew dim and then was lost to sight. Ten thousand hats were thrown in air, ten thousand threw a fit But no one ever found the ball that might Casey hit. And somewhere bands no longer play and children have no fun! And somewhere over blighted lives there hangs a heavy pall. But Mudville hearts are happy now, for Casey hit the ball. |