Showing results by author "Ernest Thayer" in All Categories

Mark Redfield performs an eclectic mix of story excerpts, poems, and favorite readings of some of his favorite British and American storytellers.

One of the best-known poems in American literature, "Casey at the Bat", written in 1888 by Ernest Thayer and first published in The San Francisco Examiner on June 3, 1888, later popularized by DeWolf Hopper in many vaudeville performances.

One of America’s favorite pastimes is baseball, and "Casey at the Bat", one of the most famous poems in American history, captures the excitement of the game from start to finish! Tension is high that day in the typical late-19th-century town of Muddville. We enter the ninth inning, the team is behind by two runs, and things are looking grim for the win unless by some miracle the infamous Casey can get up to bat and possibly save the day. The fans are cheering, the crowd is on alert, and hope abounds as the mighty Casey takes his position at the plate.

Thus begins one of the most famous poems in American history: Ernest L. Thayer’s "Casey at the Bat". When the powerful Mudville baseball team enters the ninth inning of their game behind by two runs, things seem pretty grim. And when the first two batters make outs, it looks like their best player, the mighty Casey, won’t even get a chance to win the game for them. Then, two unlikely players get hits, and suddenly the crowd is cheering as Casey strolls to the plate. Casey’s epic at-bat has delighted generations of listeners, young and old.

An epic battle is taking place in Mudville. If the team can just hold on for Casey to get a whack then life will be grand. Such poise, such command, such promise. A classic poem narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Considered the greatest baseball poem of all time, "Casey at the Bat" is the beloved tale of the Mudville Nine, a hapless baseball club entering the ninth inning of a ballgame trailing by two runs and with little hope of succeeding...unless their star slugger Casey can manage to get a turn at the plate. The outlook is grim but...when the two players preceding Casey manage to get on base, the stage is set for a grand finale, giving the citizens of Mudville hope that their hero can save the day!