"Oh, yes, I remember them," Joe said. "Well, I hope you see us win, but I doubt it."
And now, as the game was about to start, Joe looked up and saw, in one of the front boxes, Mabel and her friends. He went over to speak to them, as he walked in from practice.
"For good luck!" said Mabel softly, as she gave him one of the flowers she was wearing.
"Thanks," and Joe blushed.
As yet the battery of the Cardinals had not been announced. Clearly Manager Watson was in a quandary. He and Boswell consulted together, while the players waited nervously. Some of the newspaper reporters, anxious to flash some word to their papers, asked who was to pitch.
"I'll let you know in a few minutes," was the manager's answer.
And then, as the time for calling the game approached, Mr. Watson handed his batting order to the umpire.
The latter stared at it a moment before making the announcement. He seemed a trifle surprised.
"Batteries!" he called through his megaphone. "For New York, Hankinson and Burke—for St. Louis—Matson and Russell."
Joe was to pitch, and in the biggest game he had ever attempted!