In which a classic becomes relevant again
When I heard the US had been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup the other day—and that Megan Rapinoe, who never misses a penalty, had in fact missed—I thought immediately of this poem by Ernest Thayer. It is a sports poem, if not a soccer/football one, and today happens to be the author’s 160th birthday. So I dedicate it to Rapinoe, who I believe is still arguably the greatest female footballer of our day. I can’t be the only one in need of a reminder every so often that even the perfect ones aren’t perfect.
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.
Image: from People