Every now and then I come across a spin-off of Ernest Thayer’s “Casey At the Bat.” It’s fun to read the different perspectives on what might have happened next for poor Casey after that infamous outing. This piece was written in 2013 by Steve Humphrey of Pacifica, California.
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Many years had come and gone since Mudville lost that game
To get that far and fall just short, twas Casey some would blame
But most the fans were faithful for years they endured the pain
Their cursed up strugglin’ franchise was an insult to the game
But thru this redwood valley and along the ocean shore
Came echoes of a rumor came whispers of a loreCould it be that Casey this mountain of a man
Would come on out of hiding and deal another hand
But would these fans accept him could he get another cheer
Or would they not forget the fear of yesteryear
But light is shinning on him now the scars they did heal
As Casey started working out to catch that former zeal
He had but months to ready himself as spring was getting near
The workouts were so intensified his mission would not veer
He said no no to candy and certainly no to fries
And munched down all his salad and pushed away the pies
Is Casey really coming back screamed a patron of many years
As 20 heads tuned around they couldn’t believe their ears
This word it traveled fast from the market to the pews
From Robby Joe the Blacksmith to Mike who sells the shoes
Opening day’s upon us now as Casey made the team
It’s been years since they’d seen him, he still looks lean and mean
The season starts out slow again it looks like dejavoo
The fans are all tensed up inside yet no one hears a boo
They find themselves in last again as a few fans they do frown
And some guys to find comfort read the standings upside down
But through this dirt and dust and palms of grimy spit
The Mudville fans were taking favor to their team that just won’t quit
Then one game they were down by 12 and defeat was right upon ’em
This team they said in unison we got’em where we want ’em
They rise up in the standings now this team keeps showing promise
As the crowds keep growing larger there is no doubting Thomas
And now the season’s winding down and one thing is for certain
If they keep up with this winning first place they’ll be a flirtin’
Oh now the final week is here they still are in the thicket
The hardcore fans are camping out to try and get a ticket
The team is oh so unified and have each other’s back
With Casey in the middle the leader of the pack
And now their rivals come to them it is the final game
To see who gets the glory to see who gets the fame
They gather on the hilltops and nearby houses too
Some will even climb the trees for a desperate kind of view
Others find a knothole or spy a vacant crack
Some are a top the train cars some stand on a back
Every Royal rooter is gathered here today
No matter what the cost they’ll find a way to pay
The fans are growing restless now they go from pale to white
Adrenaline keeps a rising no fingernail left in sight
And now they sing the Anthem as tension starts to build
And now they introduce the players as home team takes the field
At last the game is underway at last the game is here
Does Mudville have the fortitude can they persevere
The game it starts out slowly now as Mudville gets behind
Their pitcher is a reeling for the plate he cannot find
A flair to the left an error to the right and even a whimpy dinker
Says a fan up in the stands “this game might be a stinker”
The baseball Gods that are out today have really pulled the rug out
As the Mudville players keep praying “just get us in the dugout”
Now the Mudville team is batting and are looking for a hero
And when the inning ends it’s just another zero
The game it Soldiers on, have the fans lost their glee
It’s the bottom of the ninth and Mudville’s down by three
But a spark deep down ignites them and soon the bags are loaded
The fan are going crazy, the older ones have coded
But when Taylor pops it up and Daniels does the same
Another at bat like that could end this chilling game
The Mudville fans are reeling now, could this be their fate
As Casey leaves the deck and taps his bat upon the plate
The pitchers name is Johnny, his face does show the look
As catcher signals him to throw that 12/6 hook
Now the ball comes spinning in it’s bending like a bow
As Casey looks upon it and decides to let it go
The ump he calls strike 1 the fans don’t think it’s true
’til Casey takes that same ol’ pitch and now it’s 0 and 2
But Casey keeps his faith, the fat lady she ain’t sing’n
Just one mistake from Johnny and Casey he’ll be swing’n
In eager anticipation no desire to be the bum
Casey waits in ready, in hopes of what’s to come
His hands are clenched around the bat his knuckles are snowy white
If this pitcher serves it up he’ll swing with all his might
“Come on” said Haley who was Casey’s longtime girl
“The heater may be coming, focus on the pearl”
And now the pitch is coming it’s looking like a beam
It’s smoking like a comet it’s followed by some steam
And just like that this pitch puts Johnny’s team in peril
As Casey hits the ball right upon the barrel
The sound it makes is different in fact it’s kind of eerie
How can a human being unleash this kind of fury
10,000 jaws were dropping they couldn’t believe their eyes
For when that ball had left the park it still was on the rise
The fans they jumped they hugged they cried then fell into a scream
Then poured onto the field to greet their Mudville team
They carried Casey on their shoulders for at least an hour or two
So never give up fight the fight and your dreams may come true
