Back on 11-Apr-1999, Reiver #2 posted a version of this song and asked if anybody knew any more. I found this:

From the sheet music at the Library of Congress:


THE DAY I PLAYED BASE BALL
Words and music by Pat Rooney, ©1878.

1. My name it is O’Halloran; I’m a man that’s influential.
I mind my business, stop at home; my wants are few an’ small.
Some blackguards t’other day did come; they were full of whisky, gin and rum,
An’ they took me out in the broilin’ sun to play a game of ball.

2. They made me carry all the bats; they nearly drove me crazy,
An’ they sent me out in the “centre field,” but I paralyzed them all.
I put my hands to catch a “fly.” Holy murther! It struck me in the eye,
And they hung me on a line to dry, the day I played base ball.

3. I took the bat an’ hit the ball, I thought, to San Francisco,
An’ then around the bases three time I ran them all,
But thin the gang began to howl, an’ they said: “Ould man, you made a foul,”
An’ they rubbed me down with a Turkish towel, the day I played base ball.

4. Two reporters begged to know me name, an’ presinted me wid a medal,
An’ they asked me for me photograph to hang upon the wall.
They said that I had won the game, though my head was broke and my shoulder lame,
An’ they sent me home in a cattle train, the day I played base ball.


There is also said to be a copy in: Pat Rooney’s Claribel Songster (New York: A. J. Fisher, 1882), p. 18, but I haven't seen a copy.