Saturday, April 3, 2021

A Baseball Hero Returns

 

Stories are powerful. They draw a lot of interest. I like reading  or listening to a good story. So sit back and enjoy a story about Larry from Boys On The Gold Coast. 

Larry was a Gold Coast hero. Ever since the boys played the Chicago Cubs the stardom of the boy with arms like Popeye the sailor man grew. He often reminded people of Pete Rose, great Cincinnati Reds player whom was loved by many baseball fans.

Like all the guys on the team, Larry loved to play baseball. He liked to bat and hit just about everything that crossed the plate. His eye to hand coordination was excellent. 

During batting practice he placed the ball perfectly where-ever he so desired around the infield. The white little ball with stitches traveled as if it were drawn to a magnet that represented the bases. Occasionally a  sharp hit liner nearly knocked the pitcher off the mound. There wasn't anything Larry couldn't do.

Then it was time to scrap the clouds so the speak. High pop-ups kept the infielders hustling to catch the ball in their glove. 

Watching baseballs sail into the outfield left no hidden secrets. The boys looked like pros hustling to catch short pop-ups. Pinning them against the fence looked easy. Bulging eyes kept neighborhood fans sitting on the edge of their seats. 

Putting baseballs into orbit was fun. Soon they started sailing over the fence and landed on the green canopy of the general store across the street. When Mr. Lucas, the store proprietor called the police, the boys were kicked off the school lot.

But not all was lost. A retired janitor, the boys nicknamed Pop, came to their rescue. He took them to a new location in a nearby park and helped them develop their baseball skills. Needless to say their popularity grew as lawn chairs in the neighborhood block traffic. 

The boys were the talk of the town. Organized youth baseball didn't exist in those days. It wasn't uncommon for kids to gather with friends on corner lots for some fun with splintered bats and tattered baseballs.

As their reputation continued to grow the Chicago Cubs got interested. Soon they invited the boys to play in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Coming from behind and struggling, the boys tied the game in the ninth-inning before Larry stepped into the batter's box swinging a bat. A standing ovation voiced the crowds approval.

It was a do or die situation. The bases were empty with two outs. Under an enormous amount of pressure and feeling like a bundle of nerves Larry was ready to meet the challenge. 

With shaky knees his arms began to tense up. Then, on a full count he closed his eyes and swung his bat viciously. After rounding first base and listening to a cheering crowd, he saw the ball leave center field. 

It was a big day. The home town boys just won a baseball game while a baseball hero returned to the lineup.

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