When Baseball Joe, after battling his way through the crowds that swarmed down over the playing field, found himself in the midst of his rejoicing mates in the clubhouse he received one of the greatest ovations of his career.
“If ever there was a one-man game it was this one to-day,” gloated McRae, as he slapped Joe on the shoulder. “To think of shutting those birds out without a single hit. I’ll bet Evans is savage enough to bite nails.”
“The boys played mighty well behind me,” said Joe modestly. “No pitcher could have asked for better support. They batted well too, considering that they had to face Axander.”
“To think of your working your way round the bases after Axander passed you,” grinned Robbie. “He thought that he had cheated you out of a run, but you got there just the same.”
“I never saw finer base stealing in my life,” went on McRae. “It seemed as if you knew just when Axander was going to pitch.”
“I did,” replied Joe, and he told them of that peculiar chest motion of the Cub pitcher that had stood him in such good stead.
“Haven’t I told you, John, that that headpiece was working all the time?” chuckled Robbie.
“I thought Joe’s goose was cooked though when that throw of Axander’s caught him off third,” put in Larry.
“It didn’t catch me,” replied Joe, with a grin. “I let him do that deliberately. I wanted to be caught, and he rose to the bait.”
“What?” exclaimed McRae, as though he could not believe his ears.