“Now bring him home, Joe!” cried the crowd, as the young pitcher stepped to the plate. It was not the easiest thing in the world to stand up there and face a rival pitcher, with the knowledge that your hit might win the game by bringing in the man on third. And especially after the advent of the telegram. But [Joe steadied himself, and smiled at his opponent].
He let the first ball go, and a strike was called on him. There was a groan from grandstand and bleachers.
“Take your time, Joe!” called Gregory, soothingly. “Get what you want.”
It came. The ball sailed for the plate at the right height, and Joe correctly gaged it. His bat met it squarely, with a resounding “plunk!”
“That’s the boy!”
“Oh, what a beaut!”
“Take third on that!”
“Come on home, you ice wagon!”
“Run! Run! Run!”