But the trip had to be faced, and they started on their swing around the circle. Their first stop was at Pittsburgh, where they found the Smoky City boys primed to take them into camp.
Forbes Field was crowded to capacity on the day of the first game. The Giants always drew full houses in Pittsburgh, but this time the attendance was even greater than usual, for the fans expected to see the Giants slaughtered. The Pirates themselves were chock full of confidence.
“We may let you have one game, Mac,” chaffed Elwood, the Pirates’ manager, before the bell rang. “But no, on second thought, I guess we’d better make a clean job of it and take the whole series.”
“See me after the game and you’ll sing another tune,” retorted McRae with a confidence that he was very far from feeling.
Joe, with the other pitchers, had been warming up in the bull-pen, and one of his hunches prompted him to seek out McRae.
“Mac,” he said, “I’d like to pitch this game.”
McRae looked at him in some surprise.
“But it’s only two days since you last pitched,” he said. “You ought to have at least a four-day let-up.”
“I know,” said Joe. “But to-day my arm feels like a million dollars.”