Paint Black by Bolado Baltazar

Author:Bolado, Baltazar [Bolado, Baltazar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MLI Publishing
Published: 2016-01-27T08:00:00+00:00

7th Inning Stretch

Nobody likes to hear it, because it's dull, but the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same—pitching.

—Earl Weaver

Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded men. It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out. It's a struggle for supremacy, a survival of the fittest.

—Ty Cobb

A pitcher has to look at the hitter as his mortal enemy.

—Early Wynn

Clay

Leon Hounsfield’s office sat on the fourth floor of the Panthers’ Headquarters building in downtown Frankfort, Oklahoma. Although his authority answered to the C-level order of the Panthers hierarchy—the president and his executive branch, and the many partners of the Panther Organization—Hounsfield desired to keep a low profile.

His office contrasted his professional restraint. Walnut cabinets gave way to a maple, handcrafted desk that stood dominantly at the corner of the office, providing Hounsfield a powerful view of Frankfort’s antebellum houses and buildings.

Even though he exerted incredible power over the organization and the players who played under its umbrella, Hounsfield tried to remain centered in his character. In a life full of financial stability, Hounsfield’s heart seemingly incapable of partaking of normal emotions, not because he lacked the humanity but because he considered it beneath his formality and genetics to exhibit the appearance of fleshy weakness.

Leon Hounsfield came from old money; he’d never suffered through the common pains of life. He concluded that to lower his standing in the eyes of humanity would be a step down from the Hounsfield family history.

So when Clarence “Sonny” Ramsey expressed concern about the Southern Side-by-Side between the two prominent pitchers on his pitching staff, it never occurred to Hounsfield to react in any way but with a business mindset and a financially logical view.

“What’s the problem, Clarence?”

“Well, Sir, it just seems to me we should consider a more definitive method of settling the dilemma between Haddox and Young.”

Hounsfield starred at the manager with a peculiar gaze. “Definitive method? Dilemma? Say what’s on your mind.”

Taken back by the man’s callousness, Ramsey shifted in his seat. “I think the organization owes some obligation to its players. If anything, to at least honor the promises and commitments it’s made.”

“And you believe we’ve failed to honor the promises and commitments we’ve made to our players?”

Being careful to frame his words delicately, Ramsey said, in an even tone, “I think there’s been some shortcoming in our dealings with Ryan Haddox.”

“How so?”

“For the past three years we’ve hinted to him certain career advancements that haven’t… materialized.”

A pained expression formed on Hounsfield’s face.

Ramsey ignored the man’s display. “And now we concoct this scheme.” The manager shook his head. “Sir, the man and his family deserve—”

Ramsey stopped in midsentence because the general manager held up his hand in objection.

“Scheme?” Hounsfield’s expression remained stern, uncompromising. “To what scheme do you refer to?”

“Well, Sir—”

“Let me make this abundantly clear for you.” Hounsfield’s voice came out strong, forceful. “Neither I, nor the Frankfort Panther Organization, concoct schemes. Is that clear?”

Without any other recourse, Ramsey quickly retreated. “Crystal, Sir.”

“Clarence,” Hounsfield resumed, using a softer tone.

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