GaryMrMets
01-02-2002, 12:34 PM
http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ari/news/ari_news_story.jsp?article_id=ari_20011224_poem_ne ws&team_id=ari
News
12/24/2001 1:00 am ET
Â* Â* Â* Â*
'Mighty Gonzo' did not strike out
D-Back fan's poem captures thrilling World Series ending
More than 113 years after Ernest L. Thayer put pen to paper, ''Casey At The Bat'' remains one of America's best-loved poems as well as a monument in baseball's folklore.
The euphoria of Arizona's World Series victory over the New York Yankees touched fans in many ways.
Janet Couch, mother of Diamondbacks' Director of Community of Affairs Karen Couch, decided to channel her excitement into a lesson for her 3rd grade class at Henry Elementary School in Tucson. She chose to rewrite Thayer's classic as the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7.
The staff of azdiamondbacks.com wishes all its visitors the merriest of holiday seasons. Here's hoping your reading of ''Gonzo At The Bat'' rekindles memories of that magical World Championship season of 2001 and spurs dreams of an even more bountiful 2002. Enjoy.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the D-Back nine that day;
The score stood two to one with but a half inning left to play.
The Yanks had in their closer. Rivera was his name.
A sickly silence fell upon our patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to leave the BOB in deep despair.
But most clung to that hope which sprung eternal in the air.
They thought if only Gonzo could but get a whack at that--
They'd put up even money now with Gonzo at the bat.
First Grace let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
Then for his speed on basepaths, Dellucci got the call.
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was David safe at second, but he'll be out at third.
With Cummings on second for Miller, and first base holding Bell,
Tony Womack stepped up to the plate and knew he must do well.
With one out now, the D-Backs knew they could be in some trouble.
But Tony tore the cover off the ball; hooray, it was a double.
The score tied now and favorite son Craig Counsell at the plate,
Rivera throws a zinger, Counsell jumps, but he's too late.
To first he goes, Womack on second, Bell was ready at third.
White pompoms in the crowd create a storm like you've never heard.
Then from 50,000 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 Gonzo, mighty Gonzo, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Gonzo's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Gonzo's bearing and a smile on Gonzo's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he peered from beneath his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Gonzo at the bat.
Millions of eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands upon the bat.
Fifty thousand in the ballpark felt it couldn't get better than that.
Then as the great Rivera lifted the ball and readied his throw,
Gonzo's dream of a lifetime turned the motion into slow.
But wait, you must be saying, if history is to repeat,
Then Gonzo strikes out as Casey did. The D-Backs go down in defeat.
Who said we have to follow that silly old poem any more,
Let's write our own, let Gonzo hit, and add one to the score.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
Bam! Gonzo stood a-watching it 'tween home and first somewhere.
His eyes followed the floater as it lifted over Jeter,
He jumped for joy, then ran to first. Nothing could be sweeter.
We'll all remember fondly when the D-Back Team made history.
The youngest franchise ever. World Champions. No mystery.
Each D-Back player did his part, each coach and yes, each fan.
Along with everyone involved, each woman and each man.
Oh, somewhere in Arizona the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
There is joy in Arizona, for our Gonzo did not strike out.
News
12/24/2001 1:00 am ET
Â* Â* Â* Â*
'Mighty Gonzo' did not strike out
D-Back fan's poem captures thrilling World Series ending
More than 113 years after Ernest L. Thayer put pen to paper, ''Casey At The Bat'' remains one of America's best-loved poems as well as a monument in baseball's folklore.
The euphoria of Arizona's World Series victory over the New York Yankees touched fans in many ways.
Janet Couch, mother of Diamondbacks' Director of Community of Affairs Karen Couch, decided to channel her excitement into a lesson for her 3rd grade class at Henry Elementary School in Tucson. She chose to rewrite Thayer's classic as the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7.
The staff of azdiamondbacks.com wishes all its visitors the merriest of holiday seasons. Here's hoping your reading of ''Gonzo At The Bat'' rekindles memories of that magical World Championship season of 2001 and spurs dreams of an even more bountiful 2002. Enjoy.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the D-Back nine that day;
The score stood two to one with but a half inning left to play.
The Yanks had in their closer. Rivera was his name.
A sickly silence fell upon our patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to leave the BOB in deep despair.
But most clung to that hope which sprung eternal in the air.
They thought if only Gonzo could but get a whack at that--
They'd put up even money now with Gonzo at the bat.
First Grace let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
Then for his speed on basepaths, Dellucci got the call.
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was David safe at second, but he'll be out at third.
With Cummings on second for Miller, and first base holding Bell,
Tony Womack stepped up to the plate and knew he must do well.
With one out now, the D-Backs knew they could be in some trouble.
But Tony tore the cover off the ball; hooray, it was a double.
The score tied now and favorite son Craig Counsell at the plate,
Rivera throws a zinger, Counsell jumps, but he's too late.
To first he goes, Womack on second, Bell was ready at third.
White pompoms in the crowd create a storm like you've never heard.
Then from 50,000 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 Gonzo, mighty Gonzo, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Gonzo's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Gonzo's bearing and a smile on Gonzo's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he peered from beneath his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Gonzo at the bat.
Millions of eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands upon the bat.
Fifty thousand in the ballpark felt it couldn't get better than that.
Then as the great Rivera lifted the ball and readied his throw,
Gonzo's dream of a lifetime turned the motion into slow.
But wait, you must be saying, if history is to repeat,
Then Gonzo strikes out as Casey did. The D-Backs go down in defeat.
Who said we have to follow that silly old poem any more,
Let's write our own, let Gonzo hit, and add one to the score.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
Bam! Gonzo stood a-watching it 'tween home and first somewhere.
His eyes followed the floater as it lifted over Jeter,
He jumped for joy, then ran to first. Nothing could be sweeter.
We'll all remember fondly when the D-Back Team made history.
The youngest franchise ever. World Champions. No mystery.
Each D-Back player did his part, each coach and yes, each fan.
Along with everyone involved, each woman and each man.
Oh, somewhere in Arizona the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
There is joy in Arizona, for our Gonzo did not strike out.