[CHAPTER XV]
THE STARTLING TELEGRAM
“Want to do the biggest work of your young life to-day, Joe?”
It was McRae speaking shortly after the team’s return to New York, and Joe grinned at him cheerfully.
“Surest thing you know,” he said. “Before I get through with them to-day that Boston gang are going to wish they’d never been born. Maybe it’s the air, but I never felt more fit than I do at this minute.”
It was the truth. At that moment Baseball Joe had never felt more confident, never felt more utterly sure that he could make the ball dance to his whistle.
It was the early afternoon of the day when they were to play the big game with Boston. The boys had turned out early, hoping to get in a little extra practice before the game began. They were working out in fine shape and things looked extremely hopeful for the Giants.
It was the kind of day just made for a game; cool for the time of year but clear as a bell. The air itself was a tonic, and as Joe tossed the ball with a speed and brilliance that delighted his mates it seemed indeed as though the spirit of the day had entered that good right arm of his. He was invincible.
“Going to give it to them right where they live to-day all right, old boy,” said Jim gleefully, as they paused for a breathing space. “Boston hasn’t a pitcher that’s in the same class with you. But say,” he added seriously, with a quick lowering of his voice, “have you noticed anything queer about Reddy and McCarney?”