登陆注册
37365600000027

第27章 BREAKING INTO FAST COMPANY(1)

They may say baseball is the same in the minor leagues that it is in the big leagues, but any old ball player or manager knows better.Where the difference comes in, however, is in the greater excellence and unity of the major players, a speed, a daring, a finish that can be acquired only in competition with one another.

I thought of this when I led my party into Morrisey's private box in the grand stand of the Chicago American League grounds.We had come to see the Rube's break into fast company.

My great pitcher, Whittaker Hurtle, the Rube, as we called him, had won the Eastern League Pennant for me that season, and Morrisey, the Chicago magnate, had bought him.Milly, my affianced, was with me, looking as happy as she was pretty, and she was chaperoned by her mother, Mrs.Nelson.

With me, also, were two veterans of my team, McCall and Spears, who lived in Chicago, and who would have traveled a few miles to see the Rube pitch.And the other member of my party was Mrs.Hurtle, the Rube's wife, as saucy and as sparkling-eyed as when she had been Nan Brown.Today she wore a new tailor-made gown, new bonnet, new gloves--she said she had decorated herself in a manner befitting the wife of a major league pitcher.

Morrisey's box was very comfortable, and, as I was pleased to note, so situated that we had a fine view of the field and stands, and yet were comparatively secluded.The bleachers were filling.

Some of the Chicago players were on the field tossing and batting balls; the Rube, however, had not yet appeared.

A moment later a metallic sound was heard on the stairs leading up into the box.I knew it for baseball spiked shoes clanking on the wood.

The Rube, looking enormous in his uniform, stalked into the box, knocking over two chairs as he entered.He carried a fielder's glove in one huge freckled hand, and a big black bat in the other.

Nan, with much dignity and a very manifest pride, introduced him to Mrs.Nelson.

There was a little chatting, and then, upon the arrival of Manager Morrisey, we men retired to the back of the box to talk baseball.

Chicago was in fourth place in the league race, and had a fighting chance to beat Detroit out for the third position.Philadelphia was scheduled for that day, and Philadelphia had a great team.

It was leading the race, and almost beyond all question would land the flag.In truth, only one more victory was needed to clinch the pennant.

The team had three games to play in Chicago and it was to wind up the season with three in Washington.Six games to play and only one imperatively important to win! But baseball is uncertain, and until the Philadelphians won that game they would be a band of fiends.

``Well, Whit, this is where you break in,'' Isaid.``Now, tip us straight.You've had more than a week's rest.How's that arm?''

``Grand, Con, grand!'' replied the Rube with his frank smile.``I was a little anxious till Iwarmed up.But say! I've got more up my sleeve today than I ever had.''

``That'll do for me,'' said Morrisey, rubbing his hands.``I'll spring something on these swelled Quakers today.Now, Connelly, give Hurtle one of your old talks--the last one--and then I'll ring the gong.''

I added some words of encouragement, not forgetting my old ruse to incite the Rube by rousing his temper.And then, as the gong rang and the Rube was departing, Nan stepped forward for her say.There was a little white under the tan on her cheek, and her eyes had a darkling flash.

``Whit, it's a magnificent sight--that beautiful green field and the stands.What a crowd of fans! Why, I never saw a real baseball crowd before.There are twenty thousand here.And there's a difference in the feeling.It's sharper --new to me.It's big league baseball.Not a soul in that crowd ever heard of you, but, I believe, tomorrow the whole baseball world will have heard of you.Mr.Morrisey knows.I saw it in his face.Captain Spears knows.Connie knows.Iknow.''

Then she lifted her face and, pulling him down within reach, she kissed him.Nan took her husband's work in dead earnest; she gloried in it, and perhaps she had as much to do with ****** him a great pitcher as any of us.

The Rube left the box, and I found a seat between Nan and Milly.The field was a splendid sight.Those bleachers made me glow with managerial satisfaction.On the field both teams pranced and danced and bounced around in practice.

In spite of the absolutely last degree of egotism manifested by the Philadelphia players, I could not but admire such a splendid body of men.

``So these are the champions of last season and of this season, too,'' commented Milly.``I don't wonder.How swiftly and cleanly they play!

They appear not to exert themselves, yet they always get the ball in perfect time.It all reminds me of--of the rhythm of music.And that champion batter and runner--that Lane in center--isn't he just beautiful? He walks and runs like a blue-ribbon winner at the horse show.I tell you one thing, Connie, these Quakers are on dress parade.''

``Oh, these Quakers hate themselves, I don't think!'' retorted Nan.Being a rabid girl-fan it was, of course, impossible for Nan to speak baseball convictions or gossip without characteristic baseball slang.``Stuck on themselves! I never saw the like in my life.That fellow Lane is so swelled that he can't get down off his toes.But he's a wonder, I must admit that.They're a bunch of stars.Easy, fast, trained--they're machines, and I'll bet they're Indians to fight.I can see it sticking out all over them.This will certainly be some game with Whit handing up that jump ball of his to this gang of champs.But, Connie, I'll go you Whit beats them.''

I laughed and refused to gamble.

The gong rang; the crowd seemed to hum and rustle softly to quiet attention; Umpire McClung called the names of the batteries; then the familiar ``Play!''

There was the usual applause from the grand stand and welcome cheers from the bleachers.

The Rube was the last player to go out.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 万古劫尊

    万古劫尊

    任你风华绝代,天资横溢,镇压一个时代!亦或是贯古绝今,横压时空!在这里,都需渡“劫”!!!世人称我为“劫尊”,“劫魔”,“劫主”!我皆不为然!我更喜她唤一声“劫————”!!!“诸君,请渡劫”!!!——————————————————一个自修罗劫境走出的少年,一段精彩绝伦的征程就此展开......
  • 天行

    天行

    号称“北辰骑神”的天才玩家以自创的“牧马冲锋流”战术击败了国服第一弓手北冥雪,被誉为天纵战榜第一骑士的他,却受到小人排挤,最终离开了效力已久的银狐俱乐部。是沉沦,还是再次崛起?恰逢其时,月恒集团第四款游戏“天行”正式上线,虚拟世界再起风云!
  • 铮音的圣洁

    铮音的圣洁

    洛铮最佩服自己有超乎常人的自知之明:第一,她不是天才。第二,她相貌平平。第三,她冷心冷情。可在世人眼里,她是古典音乐圈的宠儿,是琥珀里的美人,更是活在话本里的女主角。何谓爱?人间还是盛世的人间,时光却已不复峥嵘的时光。有人为她死,她则为之生。若问她这一生归宿,不过四字——孤独终老。
  • 久远劫

    久远劫

    她是地狱血河中,久远以来,众生戾气执念凝聚化成的魔,法力无边,可驾驭万灵,众神皆认为她祸害苍生。他是极天之处最无欲无求的神,九霄明月,流云天高,不惹一丝尘埃。他怜悯柔弱苍生,从极天来将她引渡。她魔性灭去时,随风飘散永世湮灭,自此六界太平!凡人向他燃香跪拜,祈愿求福,他空望浩渺天地,他该去求谁?方能将她求回来!无处可求。
  • 都士霸道总裁在校园

    都士霸道总裁在校园

    都士之王,谁能主宰,强者生存,霸者为王,我不称王,谁敢称王。尊我生存,反我必死,我虽只是个学生,可犯我试试。果实天下,欲敌抢夺,前期我一人孤身奋战,后期我军队如海。
  • Days with Sir Roger de Coverley

    Days with Sir Roger de Coverley

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 大家小书:中国古代史学十讲

    大家小书:中国古代史学十讲

    中国传统史学是一座瑰丽的宝库,是中国传统文化的很重要的组成部分。怎样认识这座宝库,以至怎样发挥它在社会主义现代化建设中的积极作用,是一个具有理论意义和实践意义的课题。本书就是这样一本全面阐述这个课题的专门著作。对中国传统史学的多样性、社会性和时代性等问题都做了概括性的讲解。
  • 王爷好捉急:贪杯小娘子

    王爷好捉急:贪杯小娘子

    一朝穿越,山鸡变凤凰,荣华富贵享之不尽,就连帅到倾国倾城的王爷也拜倒在她的石榴裙下,不过比起美酒,帅王爷也得靠边站,家有贪杯小娘子,王爷还能不捉急吗?
  • 小婕的夏天

    小婕的夏天

    甜文,不虐!在没有遇到羽笙前,小婕的人生就是一个茶几,上面摆满了悲剧。小婕以为,这一辈子都与幸福无关了。遇见羽笙那天,小婕从没想过这个儒雅的男人会对她钟情,并宠爱她一生。一开始,羽笙救小婕于水火,后来帮她实现梦想,让她的人生变得完整,无憾!“我离过婚还带着个孩子,你为什么会喜欢我?”“大概是因为你有毒吧!我总想保护你,宠爱你,你说你是不是对我下毒了?”“你不要对我这么好,我会想要一直依赖你。”“那就一直依赖我啊!”
  • 小兵拯救大世界

    小兵拯救大世界

    当世界末日来临,谁来拯救世界?屌丝?2B?宅男?高富帅?白富美?扯犊子吧,当然是军人!作为一名即将退伍的士兵,正准备重新回归社会大展宏图,怎料世界风云突变,一场不为人知的毁灭性病毒在24小时内感染传播至全世界,70亿人和无数动物变成了毫无人性的嗜血丧尸!地狱的恶魔!怪兽!