Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease has revealed his poetic side, sharing that he once wrote an ode to his slider while in the shower.
In a video posted by MLB on social media, Cease recited a snippet of the poem, praising his slider’s ability to deceive batters.
"O' Slider Slide."
A poem by Dylan Cease. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/5rFpFeTVzX
— MLB (@MLB) March 7, 2024
Although he couldn’t recall the rest of the poem, his slider’s performance during the 2022 MLB season spoke for itself.
Cease’s slider was the top pitcher in baseball, with a run value of plus-36, surpassing even Shohei Ohtani’s sweeper.
“The other day I was listening to piano music in the shower. And I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to piano music, but sometimes it just stimulates your mind. It just came to me, and I wrote a poem about my slider. And then I struck out 11 guys with my slider the next game. It’s pretty ironic.”
– Dylan Cease via White Sox/YouTube
He relied heavily on his slider, throwing it nearly 43% of the time, and finished the season with a 14-8 record, a 2.20 ERA, and second place in the AL Cy Young Award race.
Reflecting on his poem, Cease stated that each line accurately described his slider’s movement and effectiveness.
He had an impressive 2022 season, ranking among the top AL starters in ERA, strikeouts, opponents’ average, and strikeouts per nine innings.
Despite being snubbed for the All-Star game, Cease proved himself both on and off the field.
His poetic inspiration in the shower seemed to have translated into a remarkable performance, as he struck out 11 batters in his next game.
Here’s the full poem.
“O’ Slider Slide” by Dylan Cease
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Past the batsman I send my slider to hide
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Past the batsmen I send that round cowhide
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
A fortune staked on you lest I overstride
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
In the strike zone indeed a win is implied
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
The humans can’t believe my 3000rpm and fastball ride
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Your execution can earn you a bride
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Even the back up tried
O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
To the back foot of a lefty … check swing and the ump is wrong
Following the video release, Cease’s poem was printed on t-shirts, worn by his teammates who were already familiar with his creative side.
The White Sox highlighted Cease as the author, showcasing his masterpiece.
O’ Slider Slide. A true masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/BaEubRVIqw
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 15, 2022
Overall, 2022 was a memorable season for Cease, as he excelled as a pitcher while also revealing his artistic talents.
Fans had this to convey.
Fix the uniforms @MLB until you do this is all I’ll comment.
— Ronalo (@r0nalldo1) March 7, 2024
Come back home to a team that’s trying to win something
— jermaine jones (@jermaine611) March 7, 2024
Release the rest
— jake santiago (@2KyleGD) March 7, 2024
cringe
— who? (@uninfite07199) March 7, 2024
They warned him that he'd just get hurt:
Oh, let that pitch break wide;
Now there he's twisting in the dirt:
My slider he defied.— Jack Mitchell (@JackGMitchell) March 7, 2024
THIS IS NOT GAS 🔥🔥🔥 UNLIKE HIS SLIDER 🔥🔥🔥
— Lost Tribe Sports (@LostTribeSports) March 7, 2024
Dude that’s uhmazing. I assume the source material of this tweet is a lot different than this one
— mr baby aka white silk (@whyjays) March 7, 2024
whens the jomboy discgolf breakdowns, Cease has got a mean distance throw
— moe~☆ (@mpsto) March 7, 2024
#1 talent on the Sox
— Saluki Pride (@PrideSaluki) August 15, 2022
That’s some Pulitzer level stuff. 😂🤣😂
— LDRCHGO (@WWHPIL) August 15, 2022
I wanna buy this shirt
— Nicholas H (@a21schizoidman) August 16, 2022
Please sell this
— Zach (@southsluggers) August 15, 2022
Need this shirt immediately 👀
— BigMikes Cards/Memorabilia ♿️ (@vivalaraza92) August 15, 2022
Don’t jinx yourself
— Otis Campbell (@wetsoxsbiden) August 16, 2022
O cringer cringe
— Erik (@RyanFlo98077565) August 15, 2022
last verse is too funny
— sally bolton (@sallybolton2) August 15, 2022
Is it asking too much to have the shirt available for purchase when you promote it over social media?
Showing me something really cool that I have no way of buying just leaves me frustrated.
I’m sure you guys would do it if it were that easy 🤷🏾♂️ it just sucks for fans.
— Cheeky (@alittlecheeky) September 9, 2022
When are these dropping?
— Ye (@KanYeezusTheDon) August 17, 2022
Sliding the prices
— el_mexicano36 (@El_Mexicano36) August 15, 2022
Just give him the Cy Young now pic.twitter.com/uqsVgMlyIM
— Welcome to the Kuzmenkshow (@blametanev8) August 15, 2022
Cy Young acceptance speech
— EG (@mysoxarewhite) August 16, 2022
