Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888



1 The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:

2 The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,

3 And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,

4 A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.



5 A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.

6 The rest Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;

7 They thought, “If only Casey could but get a whack at that--

8 We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.”



9 But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,

10 And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;

11 So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,

12 For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.



13 But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,

14 And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;

15 And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,

16 There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.



17 Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

18 It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;

19 It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,

20 For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.



(continued)



Comprehension Question: What part of the baseball game is the poem about?

a The starting pitch
b The last inning
c Half-time
d 7th inning stretch