The next night it was a different team, but with the same attitude. The first time up their pitcher planted a fastball just above the andy’s knee. The next time he got beaned. I guess they thought if they kept hitting him he’d quit. But he didn’t get mad. He didn’t charge the mound or even flash the pitcher a dirty look. Each time he just shook it off and hustled down to first. You had to admire the guy. He was tough.
In the sixth, with the game tied and the sacks juiced, Bill walked to the plate and there was no place to put him. Their pitcher glanced into the dugout with that “what’ll I do?” look. What could they do but pitch to him?
At that point I was thinking, if he’s any kind of ballplayer he’s got a lot of frustration built up. Sure enough, the andy swung at the first pitch and hammered it over the centerfield fence. Some of the guys on the bench were so caught up in the moment they started whooping and hollering. Then they noticed Nakamura sitting there looking pissed and quieted down. When Bill came trotting back to the dugout, they ignored him. |
