The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudhenville nine that day;
The score stood three to one, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Laird died at first, and Jackson did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

Some naysayers got up to go to the casinos. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Cabby could get one more AB —
We'd bet on a walkoff, just wait and see."

But Rhymes preceded Cabby, as did also evil Rayburn,
And the former was a nobody, while the latter was a fern;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Cabby getting to the bat.

But Rhymes let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Rayburn, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the crowd saw what had occurred,
There was Ryan safe at second and Rhymes a-hugging third.

Then from thirty thousand and more no longer forlorn;
Their shouts heard through Royal Oak, and felt in Dearborn;
They stood up in unison to focus their sight,
For Cabby, mighty CABBY, was about to show his might.

There was ease in Cabby's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Cabby's stance and a smile lit Cabby's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Cabby at the bat.

Sixty thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with tar,
One thousand more watched from Cheli's bar.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Cabby's eye, a sneer curled Cabby's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Cabby stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
"That was clearly outside!" said Cabby. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the crowd some chanted "Restore the Roar!,"
While some covered their heads as they couldn't take it anymore.
"F*&# him! Kill the umpire!" was urged at the crowd's behest,
And it's likely they'd have killed him but for Artest.

With a smile of Venezuelan pride great Cabby's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Cabby fouled it off, and suddenly it was strike two.

"Oh no, not again" thought the maddened thousands with things looking grim,
"We're just one strike away from a cig break for Jim."
They saw Cabby lock in, as he let his muscles strain,
And they knew that Cabby wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The focus in Cabby's eyes, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the closer holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Cabby's blow.

Oh, somewhere in Texas the sun is shining bright,
Celebration ensues in Minnesota, and Yankee fans remain tight,
And in Chicago men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudhenville — mighty Cabby has struck out.

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As an LA resident, I'm extremely excited for this weekend's series, especially because I will be in attendance Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Anyone else going to be in attendance? I just started a Twitter account and might use the games to break it in. Maybe some photos too from Sunday's game if I can get down there early enough.

Tigs are fortunate to miss Kershaw who is as hot as any pitcher right now. Billingsley has been up and down all season, but is coming off a terrific start against the surprising Padres. Ely the Kid is making noise; it'll be interesting to see him matchup with an AL lineup (okay, half of an AL lineup). I actually witnessed Kuroda's start on Tuesday firsthand, and he got hit around a bit by the offensively inept Astros--Lee hit a bomb off him and I hope only to see much of the same from Miggy. 

As hot as the Dodgers have been, Ethier's loss is HUGE for them and I look for the Tigers to take at least two, if not all of these games (assuming we don't have a Willis blowup tomorrow). 

May we see a sweep like 2008; let's get the convo started.