2007-Eleven Read Online Free Page A

getting to the bat.
    But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all.
    It’s a tournament to benefit of the Boys and Girls Towns of Italy.
    And I mean, that whole town is loaded with Italians.
    So I—lined to left,
I think that’s gonna fall!
    And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball!
    You know, Seaver, I saw Ted Williams the other day,
    And somebody made this remark, and I’m not saying it
    Because I agree with him wholeheartedly.
    But he said, “Pitchers are the dumbest ballplayers.
    ’Cause all they know how to do is pitch.”
    So I’m asking you a simple question, Seaver.
    Tom Seaver here is not answering me. Not a word.
    There was Jimmy safe on second, and Flynn a-hugging third.
    Then from the gladdened multitude went up a joyous yell.
    Anyway, what was I saying when we got those hits?
    Rochester! Gotta keep talking about Rochester.
    Gotta keep this rally going, Seaver.
    So, you know, one thing about Rochester …
    They’ll ticket your car if you’re gone for a minute.
    I tell ya. They got the highway patrols out.
    And look who’s up. Holy cow! How do you like that!
    For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
    There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place.
    Hey, Murcer, know what’s on tonight after the game?
    Pro wrestling! I mean, it’s a great sport.
    I used to know all the old-time wrestlers.
    A lot of people, you know, they think it’s all fixed.
    I just don’t know about that.
    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.
    Small crowd tonight, Seaver, considering it’s a pennant race.
    I tell ya. Anyway, back in Rochester.
    All those Italian names in that golf tournament,
    Every once in a while, an Irish, a Ryan or something,
    Would get in there, just kind of break up the melody.
    There was like two hundred Italians and about six Irishmen.
    And who do you think won? The Irishmen won.
    Unbelievable.
    And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air.
    Hey, you wanna see somebody butcher a cheesecake!
    You should see Murcer and Seaver up here!
    That’s a ball, outside. You’d think they’re never fed!
    “That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one,” the umpire said.
    Strike?
I don’t believe it. I’m gonna have to take my pill.
    Crowd really getting on home-plate umpire Durwood Merrill.
    Let’s see that on replay. Look at that. I just don’t understand.…
    And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
    With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
    Hey Murcer, you ever play chess?
    A lot of money in that chess, you know. I tell ya.
    A lot of money. But it’s not a good game for television.
    I’m not knocking it, but it’s not a spectator sport.
    Breaking ball. High and inside. Oooooh.
    But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, “Strike two.”
    “Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and the echo murmured, “Fraud.”
    Hey, Murcer! Look!
Bea Arthur!
Didn’t she play Maude?
    Anyway. Back to Rochester. Gotta get these two runs in.
    And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.
    The sneer is gone from Casey’s lips, his teeth are clenched in hate.
    You know, Murcer, I had in Rochester the best meal I ever ate.
    And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go.
    Oh! That’s gone! Holy cow! Ohhh … no …
    Oh! Somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright.
    Wait a minute. What happened? I lost it in the light.
    Happy Birthday Gene Paluzzi, who I hear has got the gout.
    But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.

Interview with the Frenchfryer

    “Y ou weren’t always a frenchfryer, were you?” the boy asked nervously, standing in the dim light of the menu board.
    “No,” the frenchfryer answered. “Once, I was a twenty-two-year-old man. The year was nineteen-hundred ninety-one.”
    The boy was startled by the