“It’s up to you, Barclay,” he said as he handed him the ball. “Let’s see now what stuff you’re made of.”
Joe gave Jim an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
“Steady does it, old man,” he said. “They’re only one run ahead and the bases are empty. Hold them down and our boys will hand you enough runs to win out.”
It was a trying position for a young and comparatively new pitcher, but Jim was a “comer” and had already proved in other games that he had both skill and nerve.
“Knock this one out of the box, too,” came from the stands.
“Sew up the game right now!”
“Eat him up!”
“He’ll be easy!”
“Oh, you Red Sox!”
Jim wound up and shot one over for a strike.