The Mets Juan Soto's First Clutch At Bat

 

 27 Mar 2025

The score stood three to nil, with but one inning to play,

Marte and Taylor hit singles, and Acuna walked on this day,

No outs in the ninth top, with all the bases now loaded,

Mets faithful think new player will be branded “Mighty Soto.”

And a pall-like silence fell on patrons of this opening day ball game,

Maybe next year, recalling past years...  is this test just more of the same?

An unfaithful few now gone, turned-off, left in despair. The rest

Clung to some hope springs eternal, in a true baseball fan's breast.

Wondering if our Soto might make one long swing at that!

We'd now bet good money, feeling safe in Juan Soto's bat.

But Senger preceded Soto, and so did Lindor,

The former a newbie, but the latter might score.

So upon that sad multitude a grim melancholy sat,

There was mounting hopes for Soto's coming at bat.

But when Senger struck out not to the wonderment of all,

Then Lindor's line drive pop-up tore the cover off the ball.

Knocked in Marte, game score now increased by a crucial one,

With more runs now coming in minds of the Met faithful some.

And when the dust lifted, and fans saw what occurred,

There was Acuna safely on first, while Taylor hugged third.

Then in a hundred thousand fans there rose a strong yell,

It rumbled in the valleys, and it rattled through the dell. 

It pounded on high mountains and recoiled upon the flat,

For Soto, The Mighty Soto, was advancing to bat.

There was ease in Soto's manner as he stepped to the plate, 

There was pride in Soto's bearing and a smile lit his face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he doffed his fine hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt, it was JUAN SOTO at bat.

Thousands of eyes were on Soto, rubbed hands with some dirt,

Applause from those thousands as he wiped hands on his shirt.

Then while a writhing pitcher ground the baseball into his hip,

Defiance flashed in Soto's eye, a knowing sneer curled his lip.

Now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Soto stood watching it pass with a haughty grandeur.

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped,

"That's not my style," said Soto. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the benches and stands, full with fans, up went a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on some rugged distant shore.

"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted one guy in the stands, 

And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Soto raised a hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Soto's visage shone, 

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on.

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the ball flew, 

But Soto fowled-off it, and the umpire said, "Strike TWO!"

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"

But one scornful look from Soto and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern... they saw Soto's muscles strain,

And they knew that Soto would not let that baseball fool him again.

The sneer is gone from Soto's lip, his teeth clenched in hate,

He pounds with cruel violence his bat on home plate.

And now the pitcher holds ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by strong force of Soto's blow.

Somewhere in this favored land the sun shines bright,

A band playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts light.

Somewhere people are laughing, somewhere children shout,

But there's no joy in THE CITY — “The Mighty Soto” just struck out.

PAGE 2

SO GAME OVER...  'STROS WIN...  METS LOST THIS GAME,

PLAYIN' NOW OVER... WILL THERE BE MORE OF THE SAME?

 

SOTO...  MIGHTY SOTO... HEAD HANGIN'... SLOW WALKS TO HIS SEAT,

MET BALL FANS NOW ALL WISHIN'... THIS DON'T OFTEN REPEAT. 

(Ernest Lawrence Thayer's original poem “Casey at the Bat” is in the public domain)

Source:  to view the very fine Wikipedia reference click HERE

A Revolutionary War Connecticut Ship's Captain

His full name is Captain Theophilus Stanton Jr. (1703 – 1778), aka “Theo” to family and friends – and he is my 2^nd cousin (9 x Removed). Otherwise put, “Theo” is nine generations senior. Theo's Dad is Theophilus Stanton Sr. (b.1676) and his paternal Grandfather is Captain John Stanton (d.1713), John is a son of Thomas Stanton Sr. and the full brother of our family ancestor Thomas Stanton Jr. (d.1718).  Captain John Stanton (d.1713) and Thomas Stanton Jr. (d.1718) are the eldest sons of Mr. Thomas Stanton Sr. (d.1677) and Mrs. Ann Lord-Stanton (d.1688) of Stonington, Connecticut.

  

Theophilus “Theo” Stanton is therefore a Great-Grandson of our aforementioned British-American Colonial progenitor Thomas Stanton Sr. (d.1677). “Theo” served as a Connecticut Militia private soldier during the 1756 Campaign, in Captain Billings' Eight Company, Major General Lyman's First Regiment during the French and Indian War.  In adulthood it seems obvious that “Theo” Stanton was mainly engaged in maritime employment operating from several Southeast Connecticut ports.

Second cousin Captain “Theo” is also a Revolutionary War naval officer, first appointed 23 Mar 1776 as Commanding Officer of Connecticut State Navy Row Galley SHARK.  Row galleys are built with both sails and with oars, and thus are very maneuverable small ships.  SHARK had a crew of about 50 souls including 23 sailors, 23 marines and 4 officers when fully manned. The captain's salary was set at 7 pounds per month ($1850/mo. today). On 19 Jun 1776, Theo's 2nd cousin Amos Stanton was appointed Second Lieutenant and named Lieutenant of Marines aboard SHARK.  Amos is our 3^rd cousin (8x Removed) and the Great-Great Grandson of colonial progenitor Thomas Stanton Sr. * More on Amos Stanton in footnote.

A Typical Row Galley In Battle

SHARK was built and outfitted by ship builder J. Lester on the Thames River in Norwich Connecticut. The galley's keel length is 60 feet, breadth is 18 feet, depth in hold is 5 feet, 57 tons capacity, and had four 9-pounder cannons installed. One reports states two 9-pounder cannons were later replaced with two 18-pounder cannons. SHARK was commissioned in early July 1776 and first ordered to New Haven and then sailed to the waters off Stonington, Connecticut. On request of General Washington, in late July 1776 Connecticut Governor Trumbull directed SHARK in company with Connecticut Navy Row Galleys Crane and Whiting to sail for New York and placed under Washington's direction. In August 1776 SHARK and four other row galleys engaged British warships in two Hudson River actions – First and Second Battles of the Tappen Zee. A more significant action was thereafter engaged 9 October 1776 “Forcing The Hudson” action against superior British Naval Forces – Frigates HMS PHOENIX [44 guns], HMS TARTAR [28 guns], and HMS ROBUCK [44 guns], supported by HMS Schooner TRYAL and two supply tenders HMS PEMBROKE and HMS SHULDHAM, both tenders are converted warships. At “Forcing The Hudson” the experienced British Naval Forces are noted far better trained and better supported with assets totaling six large ships, configured with more than 116 guns, and 760 sailors; whereas, the inferior Continental Naval Forces totaled 7 small row galley ships, 19 guns, and about 300 sailors. Not surprisingly, the British Forces prevailed!  SHARK, as then accompanied by one or two row galleys escaped up river to a Peekskill, New York location where her Connecticut crew was relieved in late 1776, SHARK then placed under the upkeep care of ship's carpenter Mr. Roger Fanning and a couple of ship's company sailors. She was then officially transferred to the Continental Army in 1777 and was later captured or burned by British Forces.

Second Battle Of The Tappen Zee, 16 Aug 1776.

SHARK was one of several galleys involved in this action. 

Captain “Theo” Stanton remained in service to the Revolution when named master and commander of the American Sloop Patty (a single mast ship), engaged in supply trade between the West Indies and northeastern American shores. On November 13, 1777, Captain Stanton, crew, and ship returned to New London, Connecticut – “much shattered from a combat with a British ship of 14 guns.” Captain Theophilus Stanton, Jr. died 16 May 1778 in Connecticut. His will dated July 1777 is probated in Groton in 1778. Theo's internment site is currently unknown.

"Rouse the People to see their Danger.  Stir them up by all that is dear in this life.  Our Wives, our Children, our Property, our Liberty is at Stake."

-- by Colonel Samuel Selden, Lyme, Connecticut.

American Colonel Samuel Seldon is a veteran of The Battle Of Long Island [1776] and a Revolutionary War POW  "...after languishing in prison about one month being taken the 17th day of Sept. 1776, and carried into New York and there kept close prioner until he expired."

[Died 11 Oct 1776 aboard a British prison ship in New York Harbor, probably buried in mass grave at Fort Green Park, Brooklyn, NY with 11,000+ Prison Ship Martyrs].  Colonel Samuel Selden is a 1st cousin, 8xRemoved, the grandson of our 8th Great Grandfather Joseph Selden (1651-1724) formally of East Haddam, Connecticut Colony. 

* In February 1777, Amos Stanton was appointed a 1^st Lieutenant in Connecticut's Continental Line and on 9 Nov 1777 named Captain Connecticut Line and 6^th Company Commander, in COL Sherburne's 2^nd Connecticut Line Regiment (active-duty Continentals). Captain Amos Stanton served honorably for more than three years active duty as a Connecticut Continental Soldier.  Amos was KIA by British Forces on 6 Sep 1781 during The Battle of Groton Heights.  More information about Captain Amos Stanton [d.1781] available from a 2019 posting, click and view HERE

Compiled from public domain and copyrighted references for the educational and non-profit use of readers by DJ Paul, February 2025.