On the following day, the migration toward the Polo Grounds began long before noon. Every train was packed with eager, good-natured humanity on its way to the game. By noon the bleachers were packed, and an hour before the game was scheduled to begin, every inch of the grandstands were packed to overflowing.
The Bostons were to be the Giants’ opponents in the opening game. The team had finished poorly the year before, but many winter trades had strengthened the weak spots, and the spring training of the nine had been full of promise. A close game was looked for, with the chances favoring the Giants.
McRae was anxious to win the opening game, and had selected Joe to “bring home the bacon.” Hughson’s arm was not yet in shape, and the prospects were that Joe would have to bear the heft of the pitcher’s burden if the Giants were to carry off the flag.
Both teams were greeted with hearty cheers as they came out on the field. The Bostons as the visiting team, had the first chance at practice, and they uncovered a lot of speed in their preliminary work. Then the Giants took their turn in shooting the ball across the diamond and batting long flies to the outfielders.
The bell rang and the field was cleared, while a hush of expectation fell on the crowds. The blue-uniformed umpire stepped to the plate.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he bawled, “the batteries for to-day’s game are Albaugh and Menken for Boston, and Matson and Mylert for New York. Play ball!”
[CHAPTER VI]
GETTING THE JUMP
Neale, the heavy hitting center fielder of the Bostons, who led off in the batting order, came to the plate, swinging three bats. He discarded two of them and took up his position, after having tapped his heel for luck.