Casey at the Bat

Oh, somewhere in this favored 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;

(with reverence to Ernest Thayer)

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain

There was Jimmy safe at second  .....

...... and Flynn a-hugging third.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

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.

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

All this wonderful sport and ineffable atmosphere in one glorious month of June.  A simple reminder that baseball is still America from small town dugouts to seaside palaces.....