Casey at the Bat (1912)

by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

CASEY

AT THE

BAT

By
PHINEAS THAYER

Illustrations by

DAN SAYRE
GROESBECK

CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1912

Published June, 1912

The Casion Press
Chicago

CASEY AT THE BAT

The Patrons of the Game	I IT looked extremely rocky for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood for two to four with just an inning left to play; So, when Cooney died at second, and Burrows did the same, A pallor wreathed the features of the patrons of the game.
The Hope which Springs Eternal	II A STRAGGLING few got up to go, leaving there the rest With that hope which springs eternal within the human breast; For they thought if only Casey could get a whack, at that They'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn Preceded Casey	III BUT Flynn preceded Casey, and likewise so did Blake, And the former was a puddin', and the latter was a fake; So on that stricken multitude a death- like silence sat, For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
There was Blakey safe on Second	IV BUT Flynn let drive a single to the wonderment of all, And the much-despised Blakey tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred, There was Blakey safe on second and Flynn a-huggin' third!
Mighty Casey was Advancing to the Bat	V THEN from the gladdened multitude went up a joyous yell, It rumbled in the mountain-tops, it rattled in the dell, It struck upon the hillside, and rebounded on the flat; For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
He Lightly Doffed his Hat..	VI THERE was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place, There was pride in Casey's bearing, and a smile on Casey's face; And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 't was Casey at the bat.
A Sneer Curled Casey's Lip	VII TEN thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt, Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt; Then, when the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance glanced in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
"Strike one" the Umpire Said	VIII AND now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there; Close by the sturdy batsman the ball un- heeded sped: "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
"Kill him! Kill the Umpire"	IX FROM the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone in the stand. And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
A Smile of Christian Charity	X WITH a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signalled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew, But Casey still ignored it; and the umpire said, "Strike two."
Casey Wouldn't let that Ball go by again	XI FRAUD!" cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered, "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Casey, and the audience was awed; They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
By the Force of Casey's Blow	XII THE sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched with hate; He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate; And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Mighty Casey has Struck Out	XIII OH, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.