The Chicago Cap Murders by Warren Friedman

Author:Warren Friedman [Friedman, Warren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Price World Publishing, LLC
Published: 2012-08-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Bermuda Love Triangle

Tuesday, January 27, 1998

“Okay, guys. Everybody in,” said Sam Leary, who had taken over the tryout when Joey Robbins left the building with the police.

Most major league clubs sent scouts to one large combine, where team representatives watched and evaluated talent. The Cubs were one of the few major league teams to hold their own, private, open tryouts, as many as twenty in some years, for major league hopefuls. Many of them were set up by Joey Robbins. Today’s tryout, at Wilmington College, was a convenient site for ballplayers to access from Richmond, Virginia; Philadelphia; Washington, DC; Baltimore; New York; New Jersey; and, of course, the large state of Delaware.

Leary continued, “Today, we had a chance to assess your abilities. We timed your speed in the sprints; watched the pitchers throw their pitches and gunned their speed; gauged the arms of catchers, infielders, and outfielders as they threw to the designated bases; and saw you hit in the cages. I have a file on each of you; what your strengths are and what we feel you need to work on to get an invitation from a big league club. I will give you a copy of this report so you know where you stand.”

Leary looked at the young men as they nervously awaited their name to be called. He pushed on.

“Make no mistake about it. There are some talented ballers in this gym. I appreciate the commitment you all made to get here today. I want to thank you for coming. But at this time, we are only able to offer one of you an invitation to the Cubs. Pedro Gonzalez, congratulations.”

So many downcast faces as first, but then the group began to applaud for Gonzalez.

“Pedro, come see me after we’re done. To the rest of you, read our report. Take it to heart. Work on your weaknesses, but don’t forget to keep enhancing your strengths as well. If you are serious and remain dedicated, if you improve on the areas we mentioned in your report, major league baseball will find a spot for you. It’s an old cliché, but it still holds true. The cream always rises to the top. Thanks again for coming, boys. Good luck.”

The boys, tired from the paces they were put through, tired from the crashing adrenaline rush, and now disappointed from the comments from Leary, lined up for their reports before exiting the gym.

“Excuse me, Mr. Leary?” a young man inquired.

“Yes?”

“I’m Billy Conroe.”

“Good job today, Conroe. You’re one of the few players I believe has a shot at making a club. Let’s see,” he said, looking up Billy’s report. “Here you are. You need to bulk up a little, maybe another ten to fifteen pounds. Get a little stronger. Make it all muscle. It won’t hurt your speed or range. But it’ll help your arm strength and bat speed a lot. If you do that, you’ll have a better shot.”

“I was to report to Joey Robbins. He said he had a spot for me in the rookie league.

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