Shortstop from Tokyo by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online

zipped to second and then to first for a double play. Stogie stayed on third, playing
     it safe. Tony rapped a grounderto second which sizzled through the player’s legs, and Stogie scored.
    Tom walked and Russ Russo, pinch-hitting for Jim Albanese, stepped to the plate. He waited out Fats Cornell’s pitches, got
     a two-and-two count, then laced the next pitch to short left. The left fielder came running in hard, but didn’t seem to be
     covering the ground fast enough.
    He did though. He caught the ball one-handed and received a whopping cheer from the Rainbow fans. Rainbows 6, Mohawks 2.
    Two innings to go. It was possible for the Mohawks to beat the Rainbows, but not probable. Not probable at all. It was too
     much to expect.
    Stogie reached his position at second.When he turned, his eyes popped. There, around the corner of the stands, came Sam, running as hard as he could!
    “Hey, look who’s here!” he shouted. “It’s Sam!”

12
    C OACH DIRKUS sent Sam immediately out to short in place of Dennis. Sam’s face sparkled with a broad grin. “Hi, Fuzzy! Hi, Stogie!”
     He waved to the guys in the outfield, who shouted, “Hi, Sam!”
    Look at the greeting he’s getting
, thought Stogie.
The guys really like him. Guess I’m the only one … Heck! I like him, too! It’s just that I don’t like his taking over shortstop
     from me. He didn’t really
take
it. Coach Dirkus put him therefor his own reasons. I’ll never get over that part of it. I don’t think I will, anyway
.
    “Got something to tell you after the game, Sam!” he cried. “Something about your glove!”
    The sparkle on Sam’s face diminished a little. “What is something?”
    “You’ll see!”
    “Steeerike!” shouted the ump as Tom grooved the first pitch to the Rainbow lead-off hitter.
    “Where’ve you been?” asked Fuzzy. “The game’s almost over!”
    “Impossible to leave early from New York City!” Sam replied. “I keep telling my father, ‘Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! I must play
     baseball!’ He says he is hurrying!” Sam shrugged. “Lucky to be here now!”
    “Yes, but it’s probably too late,” replied Fuzzy dismally.
    Crack
! A hard grounder to Stogie’s right side. He rushed over, fielded the hop and snapped the ball to first. Out!
    “Nice play, Stogie!” yelled Sam.
    Stogie grinned. Who else would praise you on a play while still thinking you were responsible for ruining a glove autographed
     by one of Japan’s greatest baseball players? Who else would play with you as if nothing had happened, though you knew that
     he was still hurt. Sam really believed that Stogie had ruined his glove. Some guys might hate you for it, might want you to
     pay for the glove. Not Sam. He had wanted nothing.
    A high pop-up over the pitcher’s box. “I’ll take it!” Tom shouted.
    He took it. Two away.
    The third Rainbow came up. Tom grooved a pitch for strike one. His secondpitch was slightly higher. The batter swung.
Crack
! A solid blow! The ball shot to deep left. It kept going … going … and dropped over the fence for a home run!
    We’re licked
, thought Stogie gloomily.
The Rainbows are ahead of us, 7 to 2, and we have only two more raps
. It was hope, less.
    Tom struck out the next Rainbow and the Mohawks came to bat. Daren Holden led off. Fats couldn’t get more than one strike
     over the plate and Daren got a free pass to first. Sam Suzuki was up next.
    “Your meat, Sam!” Beak yelled. The fans gave Sam a big hand too.
    Sam took a called strike, then two balls. Fats wiped his sweating face, stepped on the mound and delivered. Smack! A bullet
     drive in the hole between left and center!The ball dropped between the outfielders and kept rolling. Daren scored and Sam held up at third.
    The Mohawk bench was wild with excitement. “Keep it going, Fuzz! Bring ’im in!”
    Fuzzy didn’t. He grounded out to short. Stogie strode to the plate. He felt great.
    The pitch. Stogie swung. A ground ball through short! Sam scored