“Glory be!” exclaimed Robbie. “The best news I’ve heard in many a long day.”
“You bet!” echoed McRae fervently. “Well, Joe, I’d rather trust your judgment than my own. Go in and win.”
CHAPTER XXII
STAGING A COMEBACK
Miles, the kingpin pitcher of the Pirates, was in the box, and that he was at the top of his form was evident by the way he whipped the ball over the plate, setting down the heavy hitters at the head of the Giant batting order in jig time.
A murmur went through the crowd as Joe pulled on his glove and walked out to the box. All knew the indifferent way in which he had been going of late, and they had not expected to see him pitch in the first game of the series.
Perhaps a new thrill was in store for them, the novelty of seeing the greatest pitcher of the national game knocked out of the box. Was the superman of baseball at last to be dethroned?
The majority of them thought so. The Pirates themselves were of the same opinion. Many a time they had suffered at Baseball Joe’s hands. He had put them through the hoops, made them roll over and play dead. He had been the one invincible obstacle to their winning of the coveted pennant. Now that they had caught him at a supposed disadvantage, they promised themselves sweet revenge.
“Send him to the showers, boys,” adjured Elwood. “Now’s your chance. Give it to him good and plenty.”
Platz, the heavy-hitting left fielder of the Pirates, swaggered to the plate and set himself to begin the slaughter.