It was written by Ernest L. Thayer, but it was made famous by William De Wolf Hopper, a New York singer and monologist, who recited it on stage an estimated 10,000 times. Some articles refer to him as a comedian, but certainly not in the same sense as today’s "stand-up" comics.

First, however, a little background is needed.

Prior to the above date, William Randolph Hearst went back to California to edit the Examiner after attending Harvard University. His wealthy father, George Hearst, had purchased the newspaper earlier so he would have a public relations vehicle to promote his own candidacy for the U. S. Senate in 1885.

Young William, who later became a millionaire publishing icon, took along with him three members of the Harvard Lampoon staff; Eugene Lent, F. H. Briggs, and Thayer.

Each had nicknames -- Thayer's was "Phin." He wrote a humorous column on a regular basis for the "Examiner" and signed his columns with his nickname.

In the spring of 1888, Thayer wrote Casey and submitted it for publication. It appeared in the Examiner in early June and was signed "Phin" as usual.

Incidentally, like many items of baseball memorabilia, a copy of the original Examiner containing the poem would be worth thousands of dollars in this day and age of "collectingmania."

When Casey made its first appearance, nobody hailed it greatly or thought it would become immortal. A few weeks later, (exact date unknown) the New York Sun published the last eight stanzas of the poem -- but signed its author as "Anon." Other than the "Sun," the public ignored it.

Then as now, it helps to have a press agent, so to speak. Archibald Clavering Gunter, a novelist, eventually proved to be "Casey's."

Always on the look out for incidents on which to base some of his novels, the New York writer actively read newspapers from around the country on a regular basis. When Gunter read Casey for the first time, he saved it, according to a historical account. He wasn't sure just what he would do with it, but he clipped and saved it anyway.

Many weeks later, in August of 1888, Gunter read that both the New York and Chicago baseball clubs would be attending the performance of De Wolf Hopper at the Wallack Theater in New York. Upon seeing the announcement, Gunter apparently knew what he wanted to do with the clipping of Casey he had retained.

Gunter approached Hopper, a good friend, and offered the poem for him to recite. He felt the baseball teams would enjoy a comic baseball recitation. Hopper agreed and recited it that night.

The rest, as they say, is history.

From that point, Casey the poem become immortal, although rarely is the complete poem recited. The final verses focus on the "mighty" Casey, and we all can identify with his moment of futility.

(There have likely been few poems parodied more than Thayer’s creative effort — and most of them are very bad, indeed.)

While a memorable poem, it took Hopper’s recital before a group of professional baseball players to bring Casey to life.

After reviews for Hopper's performance were published, three people came forward to claim authorship and demanded Hopper pay a royalty for having used the creative work. None could prove authorship, so Hopper kept it in his repertory.

Folks who love baseball will always remember and quote Casey, even if it is just the most famous portion of the last line. The poem is part of baseball, just as is the playing of the National Anthem or singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch.

We can thank Ernest L. Thayer for also being a baseball fan.