Sophomore Campaign by Frank; Nappi Page A

Murphy, there ain’t no colored folks playing in the American Association. This here’s still a white man’s world. You got your league, we got ours. I may not be educated, but I’m smart enough to know that’s the way people are happiest round here.”
    â€œAre
you
?” Murph asked. “I mean, happy about that?”
    â€œDon’t reckon I ever gave it much thought. And I don’t know why I would now. It ain’t like it’s gonna change anytime soon.”
    They stood for a while silently, each overcome somewhat by the other’s presence, melting only when they both caught sight of Mickey, who had tied a machine bolt to the end of a piece of twine and was dragging it behind him, with Milo nipping playfully at his heels.
    â€œAmazing,” Lester said smiling. “I bet he don’t even know what he’s done, on the field and all. And he has no idea on this earth what other great things that lie in front of him.”
    â€œYup, he sure is something. He’s getting better, Lester. Every day. Last year was quite an eye opener. But we all got to watch out for Mickey,” Murph explained. “He’s special. Pure, with a heart as big as that pile of lumber over there.”
    â€œYeah, and that boy sure can throw a baseball. Like nothin’ I’ve ever seen.” Lester explained that he and some of his teammates had caught a game or two last year, after Mickey joined the club. They were all amazed at the boy’s simplicity, and of course, his pitching prowess.
    â€œWe was at the game when he broke ’bout five bats,” Lester said chuckling. “Damn, it was sumpin’. And all my friends give me quite a ribbing too, saying the boy sawed more wood in two hours than I could in an entire day.” They both laughed. Murph was heartened that their exchange had reached such a pleasant level of conviviality.
    â€œWell, that’s why I’m here, Lester. Because I see you two sort of the same way. Nobody thought they were ready for someone like Mickey on the ball diamond. Hell, most weren’t. And some still balk. But look at him now. He’s the darling of this entire town. He’s got it, Lester. I saw it right away. And I’m seeing it again. With you.”
    Lester’s smile sagged. Murph looked hard into his eyes, for the first time that morning, saw deep inside the young man. His own gaze penetrated the gregarious veneer and revealed a profound wound, a bottomless hurt that made his heart quiver.
    â€œLook, Mr. Murphy. I appreciate what you is trying to do. I do. But this boy ain’t like me. I may not be no college boy, but I read the papers. Sure, he’s different from the rest. That is true. But you is forgettin’ something mighty important. He’s the right color. He may be off to some folks, but he’s still the right color.”
    Murph shook his head with great agitation. “Come on now. Look around you, kid. You got nothing to lose here. Nothing. I’m giving you a chance, a real chance, to show off that talent of yours to some pretty powerful people. And if my hunch is correct, you just may find your black hind quarters squatting behind a white man’s dish, maybe one day gunning down another pretty darn good player from Brooklyn. I think they call him Jackie?”
    â€œOh, come on now, Mr. Murphy. Do you mean to say that—”
    â€œWhat I’m saying here son, is that you got talent. Loads of it. And the time is right. It’s happening. Things
are
changing. Now. Screw these backward-ass country fools who still think only white is right. Robinson is the first. The first. But he sure as hell ain’t the last. You got a real shot here, son, if you’re smart enough to take it.”
    Their engagement rendered Lester stupid for the moment. He had never before entertained such an idea. “I want to thank ya and all, Mr. Murphy. Really. But it ain’t no use. One