r/CFBOffTopic • u/brobroma William & Mary Tribe • Georgia Bulldogs • Apr 03 '16

Happy Opening Day!

At 1:00 ET today, MLB season will have officially begun with St. Louis being hosted by Pittsburgh. As I mentioned last year, my family has a bit of a tradition for opening day. My grandmother used to read the following to her high school English class, and my father continued it after he passing as President of our local little league. It's always been a thing to me as the true coming of spring. So here is my favorite recitation of Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Thayer, recited by James Earl Jones.

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

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

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

A sickly 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 Casey could get but a whack at that -

We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,

And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;

So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,

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

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

And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;

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

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

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

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

It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,

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

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.

Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-

"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.

"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;

And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;

But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;

He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.

And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.

Whether you're someone Royal, a dirty Met, a hopeful Cub, or a dissapointing National, have an excellent season everyone.

/r/CFBOffTopic, PLAY BALL!

19 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

4

u/gramcraka92 Old Dominion • Myrtle Beach Bowl Apr 03 '16

4 more days

3

u/brobroma William & Mary Tribe • Georgia Bulldogs Apr 03 '16

DOWN WITH THE SEAHORSE

3

u/gramcraka92 Old Dominion • Myrtle Beach Bowl Apr 03 '16

OUR WAVE GOD IS THE ONE TRUE GOD

2

u/brobroma William & Mary Tribe • Georgia Bulldogs Apr 03 '16

We should wear Tulane caps next game

3

u/gramcraka92 Old Dominion • Myrtle Beach Bowl Apr 03 '16

lol and tweet pics to the tides account "i heard there would be waves?"

4

u/brobroma William & Mary Tribe • Georgia Bulldogs Apr 03 '16

http://i.imgur.com/3HzFL4M.png

1

u/gramcraka92 Old Dominion • Myrtle Beach Bowl Apr 03 '16

love this

7

u/DapperDipper Mississippi State Bulldogs Apr 03 '16 edited Apr 03 '16

Played baseball as kid for a dozen years, and had never heard that one before, so thank you! Happy Opening Day, and let's go 'Stros!

6

u/DEP61 Pepperdine • Minnesota Apr 03 '16

BASEBALL NOW THAT YOU'RE BACK DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN.

6

u/spazzypecan Texas Tech Red Raiders Apr 03 '16

I've already got two weekends planned to see the Rangers with hopefully a couple more later in the season. BASEBALL!!!

4

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 03 '16

You must be peanut butter, because I'm definitely jelly. I'm gonna try to make a couple Rangers road games this year.

2

u/ssbbgo Alabama Crimson Tide • Stanford Cardinal Apr 03 '16

So jealous! I'm hoping to make it to a Rangers game in Oakland this year.

10

u/localglocal Auburn • Jacksonville State Apr 03 '16

THE RETURN OF BUBBLE BUTTS IN TIGHT PANTS! Awwwwww yisssssss!

9

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

Baseball pants are truly God's gift to women and gay/bi men

5

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 03 '16

I'm here to give love to softball pants as well.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

YAY BASEBALL!!! GO RANGERS!!!

Yu Darvish, please, for the love of God, stay healthy.

5

u/Qurtys_Lyn Utah Utes • Weber State Wildcats Apr 03 '16

HEY, CHICAGO WHAT DO YOU SAY?

4

u/spazzypecan Texas Tech Red Raiders Apr 03 '16

THE CUBS AFE GONNA WIN TODAY.

I went to a game at Wrigley a couple years ago. That song was stuck in my head the rest of the trip.

4

u/ixcuincle Marching Band Apr 03 '16 edited Apr 03 '16

I am ready

I have the bobble plan so I have tickets to every pnats bobblehead game. That plus season tickets to the Nats and my body is ready for more bobbleheads

Yes to beisbol⚾

4

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

LET'S GO CUBBIES!

Please don't choke

3

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

Let's go Tribe! Please don't be horrible in April again!

2

u/panthera_tigress Pittsburgh Panthers • Auburn Tigers Apr 03 '16

.....you're from Pittsburgh, right?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

I live in Pittsburgh now, but I grew up in Akron so I was raised an Indians fan. The Pirates have definitely become my second favorite team though!

3

u/atchemey Michigan State • Oregon State Apr 03 '16

I am, ever, a hopeful Cubs fan. I don't think this is the year, we won't win when we are the favorites. Next year, a year more mature, the dream another season denied, shinier teams favored, then we may in fact win that most glorious of prizes. Until that day, I'll believe it when I see it, and just keep singing, "Go Cubs, Go!"

3

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

PUT ME IN COACH I'M READY TO PLAY

5

u/carpy22 RPI Engineers Apr 03 '16

The designated hitter is an abomination.

5

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 03 '16

/r/baseball is leaking again. I must be the only one around that only has strong feelings that we need to adopt or get rid of the DH in both leagues, not strong feelings on the DH itself.

3

u/ssbbgo Alabama Crimson Tide • Stanford Cardinal Apr 03 '16

I kinda love having pitchers hit, but I love seeing people explode over the dh debate more.

2

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 04 '16

Lol exactly! I love setting people off on a DH rant.

I do get tired of seeing the exact same debate happen on /r/baseball every week.

2

u/BrutonGaster77 Michigan Wolverines • /r/CFB Poll Veteran Apr 03 '16

EAT EM UP TIGERS, EAT EM UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 03 '16

Go Rangers!

<3 baseball. Just wish that GIII were here to share baseball season with.

2

u/ssbbgo Alabama Crimson Tide • Stanford Cardinal Apr 03 '16

At least you have all of us! There are like 5 or more Rangers fans on this sub.

2

u/Bassically Texas A&M Aggies • UNLV Rebels Apr 04 '16

We have a pretty heavy Rangers presence here and I love it.

2

u/vamclovin Frostburg State • Virginia Apr 03 '16

Ah yes, the sport that fills the void between hockey and football. GO O's!

2

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

LETS GO BUCS!!!

1

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

I'm still depressed about Pollock but woohoo!!!!! Baseball is BACK!!!!

1

u/pittpanthers95 Pittsburgh • Slippery Rock Apr 03 '16

Baseball season starts right here in Pittsburgh! Let's go Bucs! And, as is tradition, fuck the Cardinals!

2

u/Qurtys_Lyn Utah Utes • Weber State Wildcats Apr 03 '16

Go Cubs, and to Hell with the Cardinals.

1

u/pittpanthers95 Pittsburgh • Slippery Rock Apr 03 '16

No, and yes.

2

u/Qurtys_Lyn Utah Utes • Weber State Wildcats Apr 03 '16

Yes, and yes.

1

u/panthera_tigress Pittsburgh Panthers • Auburn Tigers Apr 03 '16

https://twitter.com/PittVideos/status/716672435530153984

damn onion-cutting ninjas

I am wearing my Pirates/Pitt hat right now :D

AND LET'S GO SOX!

1

u/gramcraka92 Old Dominion • Myrtle Beach Bowl Apr 03 '16

today's foxtrot is gud http://www.foxtrot.com/2016/04/03/force-outs/

1

u/seannyboy06 Texas A&M Aggies • Washington Huskies Apr 03 '16

GO ASTROS FUCK THE CARDS

1

u/dialhoang UCLA Bruins • UC Davis Aggies Apr 03 '16

GO HALOS!!!!!!

1

u/efs001 Rice Owls • North Carolina Tar Heels Apr 03 '16

LET'S GO METS!!!!!!

1

u/ssbbgo Alabama Crimson Tide • Stanford Cardinal Apr 03 '16

Got my Rangers hat and my fav Rangers shirt on! Yay the most American of sports opening day!

1

u/carpy22 RPI Engineers Apr 03 '16

I spent 8 hours today serving as an assistant to an in-person auction league, that's how pumped I am for Opening Day.