Posted on 01/21/2013 10:30:13 AM PST by 1raider1
With NASCAR starting a new season soon, I used a little license with Earnest Thayer's "Casey at the bat". Hope you like it.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Bow Tie crowd that day. Kyle B. was inside front row and it seemed he'd get his way. And when Harvick dropped a valve and Kahne fell off the pace. A sickly silence fell upon the Chev fans at the race.
More than a few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in Junior Nation's breast. They thought, if only Ralph Dale could get up to the front. They'd put up even money. "He'll give us what we want."
But Juan preceded Ralph Dale, as did also Tony S. And whether he could pass these guys was anybody's guess To watch the stricken multitude, things were looking grim There was no doubt Ralph's chances were looking rather slim.
Then, from 100,000 throats there 'rose a lusty yell. It rumbled through the valley. It rattled in the dell. It knocked upon the mountains and recoiled across the track, For Earnhardt, mighty Earnhardt, was amovin' through the pack.
There was ease in Ralph Dale's manner as he stepped down on the gas. There was pride in Ralph Dale's bearing with every car he'd pass. And when responding to the cheers, he gave Edwards a tap, Junior Nation was now sure that he would close the gap.
Two hundred thousand eyes were on him. They were having fun. One hundred thousand tongues knew THIS year was a championship run. Then, when a spinning Burton nearly made Ralph lose his grip, Defiance gleamed in Ralph Dale's eye, a sneer curl'd Ralph Dale's lip.
And when Danica touched Newman and the leaders made a stop, Junior stayed out. "My tires are good. This'll move me to the top." Right past the pit road entrance Ralph Junior defiantly sped "That's just my style," said Ralph Dale. "That's one", his spotter said.
From the benches, filled with people, there went up a muffled roar Like the beating of the storm-waves on a wild and distant shore. "Kill him! Kill the spotter!" shouted someone from the stand; And it's likely they'd've killed him had not Ralph Dale raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity, great Ralph Dale's visage shone He stilled the rising tumult and bade the race go on. He signaled to starter and then the green flag flew And because Ralph's fuel was getting low, his spotter said, "That's two".
"Fraud!" cried Junior Nation and echo answered "Fraud"!, But one word of scorn from Ralph Dale and the 88ers were awed. They heard his voice grow stern and cold, they saw him give a wave. They knew that Ralph Dale Junior would give them what they crave.
The sneer is gone from Ralph Dale's face. His teeth are clenched with zeal He pounds with cruel violence, his gloves upon the wheel And now, the drivers hit the gas, and now the engines roar And now the finish line's in sight, for this race and for more!
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright. A band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light And somewhere men are laughing, and a golden tomorrow is nigh, But there is no joy in Junior Nation - for Ralph Dale's tank is dry.
I remember that and had it saved for Barry’s 2012 loss. Unfortunately, unlike the immortal Casey, Hussein hit a grand slam homerun on his third pitch.
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