The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Utah team that
day;
The record stood two and five, one more home game to play,
And then when Malone turned it over, and Stockton did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Ostertag would take a whack at that --
We'd put up even money now, with Oyster at the bat."
But the Raptors preceded 'Lando, and also the Lake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Oyster coming to the bat.
But Crotty scored and scored, to the wonderment of all,
And Tag, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Russell playing "D" and "Wins" a-hugging third.
Then from ten thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded through on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Oyster, mighty Oyster, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Marshall's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in AK's bearing and a smile lit Jerry's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, Meech lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt that Utah's where its at.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
Somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
And there's great joy in Mudville -- the mighty Jazz have not struck
out.
Adaptation from
"Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer (1863-1940)
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