THERE IS NO JOY IN MUDVILLE (OR CHAMBERS)

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the De La O eleven on Sunday:
The score stood 135 to 124, with but one day more to play,
And then when Gordon ran for 9, and Gronkowski did worse with 4,
A pall-like silence fell upon the Judge whose eyes were cast upon on the floor

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only De La O could but get a whack at that—
We’d put up even money now, with De La Oat the bat.”

And Winston threw for 38, and Evans caught 28 more,
But those totals were answered by Pat Mahomes throwing for 33 and his wide receiver Hill getting 34;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of De La O getting to the bat.

But his Seattle D scored 13, and the Judge's kicker 8 more; And Hamilton caught five, and posted 9 upon the board; And Conner ran and got him 12, and Gordon rumbled for 9 more;
And when the dust had lifted
De La O had scored 245, but Rumpole 32 more.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
De La O wasn't done and was advancing to the bat. For T Hilton his wide receiver had not yet played a down And with Andrew Luck throwing perhaps Rumpole would finally frown
There was ease in De La O's manner as he managed his team all year;
There was pride in the Judge's bearing and a smile lit upon his face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas De La O at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he chose his players well;
Five thousand mouse's clicked to wish him very well;
Then the final game began - a season on the line.
From the stands full with people, there went up a muffled
  roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
They needed Luck to throw the ball to Ty Hilton ever more;
Oh, somewhere in this favoured 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—or in Judges' chambers throughout Hilton did not catch the ball; The Mighty De La O has struck out! Rumpole- 299; De La O: 253 For those of you who want to read the original poem Casey At The Bat by Earnest Thayer, 1888, click here. Consolation (set of steak knives) bracket: Johnny S- 295 - Mia Courthouse Rules- 127 (for the record, in the championship series, Rumpole outscored everyone). Rumpole is the Champion of the 2018 Justice Building Fantasy Football League.