Jim was staring at him open-mouthed.
“Wow!” he ejaculated. “Is that all?”
CHAPTER VI
WHIZZING THEM OVER
Joe grinned at his comrade’s question.
“All I can think of just now. If anything else occurs to me I’ll let you know.”
“Gee, but it’s a big program!” ejaculated Jim. “It’s never been done before by any one man in the history of the game. But I wouldn’t put it past you, at that. I’m sure you’ll do it as regards the pitching and the batting. Nobody in the league has any license to beat you at either of those things. And there’s no reason why you can’t hang up the base-running scalp in your wigwam either, for you’re as quick as a flash in going round the bags. In other words, I believe you’ll make good in anything that depends on yourself alone. As to hanging up more victories for the Giants than they’ve ever made before in one season, that will depend in part upon the Giants themselves. But, good gracious, man, if you only do half that you’re planning to do it will be next door to a miracle.”
“Well, there’s no harm in trying to hitch your wagon to a star. If a man aims high, he may not reach the mark but he’ll come nearer to it than he would if his standard were lower. And don’t think for a moment, Jim, that I’m trying to brag or anything like that. I wouldn’t tell my ambition to any other living soul and I only speak of it to you because you’re my other self, so to speak. This is just between you and me.”
“I’ll keep mum,” promised Jim. “Go to it, old man, and more power to you. I’ll be tickled to death if you carry out your program, not only for your own sake, but because with that kind of work it means a sure championship for the Giants.”