June 3: Publication of “Casey at the Bat”
Prayer Idea
Pray for athletes to set an example for young people by showing good character and sportsmanship.
History Note
Ernest Thayer was born in Massachusetts in 1863. After graduating from Harvard in 1885, he became a humor columnist for The Daily Examiner from 1886 to 1888. Thayer published a variety of material in the San Francisco newspaper, both poems and prose.
His final piece for the Examiner was published on June 3, 1888. Entitled “Casey at the Bat,” the poem tells the story of a baseball game and the final batter who has a chance to win or lose the game for his team.
De Wolf Hopper was a popular entertainer who recited “Casey At the Bat” publicly for the first time on August 14, 1888. Over the next few decades, Hopper brought the poem widespread attention by performing it thousands of times. He made a popular audio recording in 1906 and was the first person to make a filmed version in 1922.
The poem has been featured in film, television, and radio. It has inspired sequels, parodies, a postage stamp, and even an opera.
You can see the poem highlighted on this page from its original newspaper publication. You can get a closer look at the Library of Congress website.
Learn More
Watch De Wolf Hopper’s 1922 performance of the poem.
Find other resources at Homeschool History.
