Chapter 154
Coach Frost sent the equipment manager to the stands for a message to Michael's parents.
"Coach Frost wants you to know, Mr. Young. Michael passed the concussion test. He'll have 4 to 5 stitches after the game and a large bruise on his face."
"Thank you. Tell Coach Frost, thank you," replied David. Cathy moaned in gratitude.
Texas Tech added a run in the bottom of the 8th. The score... 5-0.
Then, Michael came out of the dugout for the top of the 9th.
The roar and applause was deafening. Larissa began to cry and Angela had to take her under the stands to get away from the noise.
James chuckled. "He looks odd with that white patch under the eye," he thought.
It didn't take Michael long to end the game. Eight pitches. Three outs. Two infield grounders and a foul out pop up caught by the first baseman to end the game.
Again, the crowd showed their approval.
If not for the single hit by the Wildcats, it would have been a perfect game.
28 batters. 27 outs.
James was very impressed. And smiled.
Angela had told James she would meet him at the concession stand after the game. When James finally reached her, she said, "What happened after we left?"
"Eight pitches is all it took. Two infield grounders and a foul out. One of the best games I've ever seen," he mused. "I'll take Larissa, now."
"Thank you," she moaned. "My arms are killing me."
"The players meet their families over there behind the third base dugout. Would like to go with me? I would like to congratulate Michael."
"Yes, I want to hug him, too. Larissa, do you want to see Michael?"
"Ya."
Chapter 155
It took Michael a long time to come from the training building. He was being interviewed by the local press and TV stations inside the building.
When he emerged from the building, a roar of approval went up. Along with his girlfriend, every teammate, parent, girlfriend, and fan wanted a word with him. He smiled and thanked each one, asking them their name, if he didn't know them. The cut he sustained in the 8th inning was clearly covered with gauze, his cheek swollen.
James and his 15 month old, Larissa, stood on the outside of the crowd and watched with smiles. He had been speaking with Tech fans and parents while waiting for Michael. Angela was with Cathy, holding her arm while waiting for Michael.
Out of nowhere, Pablo Ortiz walked up and stood next to James.
"What do you think?" he asked, with a nod toward Michael.
"Well... It's not every day you see a one hit shutout," James replied.
"I know. I should have expected something like this from him, but not this soon. He's been pitching well this season. Getting better each week. But, I didn't expect this tonight," Pablo offered. He then turned to face James.
"We end conference play in Norman next week. Then the conference tournament in Oklahoma City. Will I see you, and your pretty daughter, there?"
"I don't know. I don't have plans right now," James offered.
"OK... Make plans for the national tournament. We're ranked number 5 in the country," he offered, as he waved and walked away.
When Michael emerged from the crowd, he held his mother in an embrace. Angela, Emily, and Katie began smiling with joy, and gave him a hug also. Angela, the girlfriend, did, too. David hugged him as well. Grandpa Young shook his hand.
"How bad is it, Michael?" His mother asked.
"They want me to go to the hospital for a precaution. Will you come with me?" he asked.
"Yes... Yes, I will come with you," she sobbed. "You were wonderful, tonight, Son."
"Thank you, Mom. I felt great. Like never before," Michael offered. "I want to say something to Uncle James, then, I'll be right back."
As he left his mother and began walking toward James, Angela, his girlfriend, tried to follow him. He stopped her and said with a strained and painful smile, "Just me and Uncle James this time, Angela. I'll explain later."
"OK," she answered, with a little disappointment.
As Michael approached, James barked, "What have they been feeding you here?"
Michael tried to smile, but, it was too painful. James laughed at his pain.
"Congratulations, Michael. A game I won't soon forget," he offered.
"Ya eh ma," offered Larissa.
Michael tried to smile to his tiny cousin, but held her little hand in gratitude.
"Thank you, Uncle James," Michael replied. He dipped his head to gather his thoughts, then looked James in the eye.
"I haven't forgotten that morning at the breakfast table. I've thanked you for what you have done for me, but tonight... You deserve another. I told you that morning I wanted to play D1 baseball. It wouldn't have happened if not for you."
James nodded and did a great job of holding back a tear or two of joy. Flash backs of David and Cathy helping him when he was a young baseball player came and went.
"You're welcome."
Chapter 156
Angela watched Michael approach her husband; Larissa in her father's arm. She glanced around and found nearly every parent, teammate, girlfriend, brother, and sister standing in silence to see what was about to happen. They knew the two men were uncle and nephew.
Angela suddenly realized Michael was no longer the awkward, tall, and lanky teenager she knew from high school, just three years ago. He looked and stood just like James. Both men tall, masculine, and athletic. Dark hair and dark brown eyes. Square jaws. She began weeping in joy when she saw the two men shaking hands, and James nodding his head to Michael. She turned to see Cathy weeping, too, with her hands over her mouth, and nodding her approval.
She tried to run to James to collect Larissa, but was cut off by photographers and fans taking photos of the two men together. She tried to push herself to the front, again for Larissa's sake. It took her a full minute to reach James, who smiled when she arrived.
"I'll take Larissa now," she offered.
James gave Larissa up... Reluctantly.
Chapter 157
With his 4 month old son, David, in his arms, asleep, James was telling a tale about their cousin Michael. Listening, but often distracted, were Larissa, nearly 3, and Cynthia and Margaret, nearly 2. James paused from his tale, to reflect on his daughters who were listening to his words.
"I will die a fine death," he thought. "These little girls are killing me with the eyes their mother has given them." He nodded his head in gratitude for being their father.
Gathered around their Daddy's recliner, the girls listened as the tale continued, on this December evening after supper.
"As I mentioned, Michael had dominated the opposing teams for three weeks. In the final game in Omaha, Michael got the start he had dreamed. The Stanford Cardinal didn't have a chance. Already beaten in the first game of the final series, 12-2, the Cardinal had to face the unanimous college pitcher of the year, Michael Young."
Larissa let out a cute little gasp and her father chuckled as he continued with a dramatic voice.
"Michael pitched one of the most famous games in Omaha history. He put out 21 straight batters. Not one, mind you... Not one batter was allowed on base. He struck out 5, his infield put out 14, and his outfield put out 2, for a total of 21 outs. Not one hit allowed. Not one walk allowed. Not one hit batter allowed. Not one error allowed. His team had scored 6 runs in those 7 innings. In the end, Michael's coach, Coach Frost, felt he needed to come out, and put in the Texas Tech ace reliever, Martin Post."
"Why, Daddy?" ask Larissa.
"Coach Frost is a sly coach, Larissa. You see, Martin had a slider that broke 3 feet and batters swung at it so hard, they nearly fainted!"
Angela, listening from the kitchen, nearly died with laughter. "Don't you think there is a little too much imagination going on in there?" she yelled from the kitchen.
"Don't listen to your mother, Larissa. I saw a batter nearly faint at Martin's slider. Anyway, Martin did the same thing your cousin Michael did. He put out the next 6 batters with six strikeouts, and one of them nearly fainted!" he clucked, with emphasis on the fainted.
"Did Michael win, Daddy?" asked Larissa.
"Yes he did, Larissa. Texas Tech won their first national championship in baseball. Never in Omaha history, had a team put out 27 straight batters as Michael and Martin had done. They are now famous college pitchers, and it's only been... What, Mama? Six months since the game of the century?"
Angela came into the living room chuckling. "OK, Daddy. It was phenomenal what Michael and Martin did, but aren't you adding a little drama to the fainting part?"
"I don't think so," he groaned. "That last batter fell to the ground trying to hit that slider, ending the game. I say he fainted."
Chapter 158
"Hello, Brenda. I was thinking of you today. You and I haven't seen each other in two months."
James was checking the pens of Angela's prize bulls. Making sure they looked healthy on this cool January morning.
"You'll be seeing me soon," she offered. 'I'm coming to Texas to see you and Angela. And, those precious little girls and handsome son you have."
"Great! You'll be staying with us. No arguments about it," he barked.
"I planned on it," she quipped. "You have an appearance at the new dealerships in Lubbock and San Angelo. And the grand openings at the Pizza World shops in San Antonio. Two weeks from Friday. I'm taking the week off to stay with you after the appearances."
"Brenda... The kids ask about you all the time," he offered.
"Thank you. They are so cuuuuutte!" she giggled. "OK... Business... Mr. Turner has a message for you. Today, you will be receiving a phone call. You are to take the call because it is important. Don't ask me why or who, because I don't know. Carry your phone with you all day today so you can answer. The area code from the caller is 992."
"Not even a hint?" he asked... concern in his tone.
"Nope, Mr. Turner just smiled and said don't ask questions," she quipped.
"OK... Angela is looking forward to seeing you. And, I'll tell the kids."
