Casey on a Bat

It looked extremely rocky for the Boston team that day,
The score was one to nothing, with one inning left to play.
Casey, who played in centre field, had shown an hour too late—
He hadn't any alibi when staggering through the gate.
So when he tore his necktie off and stepped upon his hat
The manager looked grim and said, “It's Casey on a Bat.”

“Well,” said the Boston manager, “with joy I ought to scream—
Here's Casey with a dandy load, the best man on the team.
He told me he was sober, but he couldn't quite get by
When he stepped upon his derby and was yanking off his tie.
Of all the hard luck in the world! The mean, ungrateful rat!
A blooming championship at stake and Casey on a Bat.”
Two Boston batters in the ninth were speedily retired,
“Here, Casey!” cried the manager, speaking as one inspired,
“Go in and bat for Grogan! There's a man on second base,
And if you hit the way you can we'll win the pennant race.”
This is no knock on buttermilk, or anything like that,
But the winning hit was made that day by Casey on a Bat.
Casey on a Bat

by William F. Kirk, 1910
