[CHAPTER XI]
WINGING THEM OVER
“So ’tis your birthday, I do be hearin’, Joe,” remarked Larry Barrett, the jovial second baseman of the team, as the Giants were getting into their uniforms preparatory to going out on the field.
“That’s what,” laughed Joe, as he finished tying his shoe laces.
“I’ll bet you were a ball player from the cradle,” grinned Larry.
“I guess I bawled all right,” Joe replied. “And once, my mother tells me, I pitched headlong from my baby carriage.”
“What would you like for a birthday present?” queried Wheeler.
“Ten runs,” replied Joe, promptly. “Give me those to-day and I won’t ask for anything else.”
“Pretty big order,” remarked Wheeler, dubiously. “Ten runs are a lot to make against those Brooklyn birds. I hear they’re going to put in Dizzy Rance to-day, and he’s a lulu. Won his last eight games and has started in to make a record. Have a heart, Joe, and make it five.”
“Five’s plenty,” asserted Jim, confidently. “I’m willing to bet that’s more than the Dodgers will get, with Joe in the box.”
“We’ll know more about that when the game’s over,” said Joe, as he moved toward the door.