Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Lines 9-12
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
- The fans feel that Casey is their only hope. One small problem: there are two players that have to bat before Casey can get his turn to hit, and those players are… well, not good. Ever been picked last for a team in PE? Then you know how these guys feel.
- Flynn is a "lulu," and Blake is a "cake." As you probably guessed, these terms are meant to disparage these guys—think the opposite of superstar. You never hear someone say, "Yeah, Bob is the best player on our team. He's a real lulu."
- The knowledge that these two weak links stand in the way of Casey getting his turn at bat is really bringing the crowd down (remember: one more and the game is over). A sense of "grim melancholy" fills the spectators. No one is doing the wave; no big foam fingers are flying.
- The chance of these two guys getting on base to bring Casey to the plate seems slim to zip.