The Redheaded Outfield, and Other Baseball StoriesGrey, Zane
General
The Redheaded Outfield, and Other Baseball Stories
Grey, Zane
Baseball stories, American; Fiction; Short stories
He found an end seat on a row at about the middle of the right-field
bleachers and I chose one across the aisle and somewhat behind him. No
players were yet in sight. The stands were filling up and streams of
men were filing into the aisles of the bleachers and piling over the
benches. Old Well-Well settled himself comfortably in his seat and
gazed about him with animation. There had come a change to his massive
features. The hard lines had softened; the patches of gray were no
longer visible; his cheeks were ruddy; something akin to a smile shone
on his face as he looked around, missing no detail of the familiar
scene.
During the practice of the home team Old Well-Well sat still with his
big hands on his knees; but when the gong rang for the Phillies, he
grew restless, squirming in his seat and half rose several times. I
divined the importuning of his old habit to greet his team with the
yell that had made him famous. I expected him to get up; I waited for
it. Gradually, however, he became quiet as a man governed by severe
self-restraint and directed his attention to the Philadelphia center
fielder.
At a glance I saw that the player was new to me and answered the
newspaper description of young Burt. What a lively looking athlete!
He was tall, lithe, yet sturdy. He did not need to chase more than two
fly balls to win me. His graceful, fast style reminded me of the great
Curt Welch. Old Well-Well's face wore a rapt expression. I discovered
myself hoping Burt would make good; wishing he would rip the boards off
the fence; praying he would break up the game.
It was Saturday, and by the time the gong sounded for the game to begin
the grand stand and bleachers were packed. The scene was glittering,
colorful, a delight to the eye. Around the circle of bright faces
rippled a low, merry murmur. The umpire, grotesquely padded in front
by his chest protector, announced the batteries, dusted the plate, and
throwing out a white ball, sang the open sesame of the game: "Play!"
Then Old Well-Well arose as if pushed from his seat by some strong
propelling force. It had been his wont always when play was ordered or
in a moment of silent suspense, or a lull in the applause, or a
dramatic pause when hearts heat high and lips were mute, to bawl out
over the listening, waiting multitude his terrific blast:
"Well-Well-Well!"
Twice he opened his mouth, gurgled and choked, and then resumed his
seat with a very red, agitated face; something had deterred him from
his purpose, or he had been physically incapable of yelling.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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