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the runner at second. I want a double play, but I ll
take an out. On a grounder to me, I ll throw to third
to get the lead runner and maybe start a double
play. If she bunts toward third, I ll try and make the
play there. If she bunts toward first, I ll throw to
first. If the batter gets a hit, I ll back up home
plate.
 Very good, Carey said.  Mickey, you re next.
 I m thinking, how well does this batter hit
Connie? Mickey said.  Is she a pull hitter, or does she
hit to the opposite field? Is she hot or cold? Is she a
low-ball hitter? What s her weakness? How did we get
her out last time? Who s on deck? Should I call for a
pitchout? Is Connie getting tired? Should I call for
a fastball, curve, or change up? Watch for the double
steal. Be ready to pounce on a bunt, maybe try to
make the play at third.
I just sat there, my mouth open. I m a pretty
decent ballplayer, but I never saw the game at this
level. There was so much to think about, so many
possible things that could happen in any situation.
It was like a game of chess.
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DAN GUTMAN
 Left field next. Max Carey pointed.  Tiby?
 I m wondering, should I play this hitter
straightaway or shade her to the left or right? If the
batter singles, I have a good shot at throwing the
runner out at the plate. If there s an extra-base
hit 
A knock at the door to the dugout stopped her.
 Who is it? Carey barked.
A woman came in. She was older and all dolled
up in a fancy blue dress, frilly hat, and high-heeled
shoes.
 I beg your pardon, the lady said, pronouncing
every word slowly, clearly, and politely.  My name is
Judith Vanderbilt, and I represent the Helena
Rubinstein School of Charm.
 Get out, Carey said gruffly.  We re not inter-
ested in your products. We have a game soon, for
crying out loud.
 You don t understand, the woman said.  Mr.
Philip Wrigley commissioned our services. He is the
owner of the league, if I am not mistaken. Mr.
Wrigley most specifically insisted I speak to the
players at this time.
Carey took off his cap and slapped it against his
knee.  Make it snappy, he said, sitting down on a
stool.
 When you become a player in the All-American
Girls Baseball League, you have reached the high-
est position that a girl can attain in this sport,
the charm school lady began.  You have certain
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responsibilities because you are in the limelight.
Your actions and appearance both on and off the field
reflect on the whole profession. It is your duty to do
your best to uphold the standard of this profession.
Max Carey rolled his eyes.
 It is most desirable that each girl be at all times
presentable and attractive, the charm school lady
continued.  Study your own beauty culture possibil-
ities, and without overdoing your beauty treatment
at the risk of attaining gaudiness, practice the little
measure that will reflect well on your appearance
and personality as a real all-American girl.
Max Carey shook his head and looked at his
watch.
 Because of your strenuous activity on the dia-
mond, you are exposed to dirt, grime, dust, and per-
spiration, the charm school lady said.  When you
bathe, use cleansing cream around your neck as
well as over your face. Apply a lotion to keep your
hands as lovely as possible.
A few of the girls snickered. Max Carey closed
his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his
fingertips.
 Always secure your stockings so they are
smooth and neat and remain in place. Arrange your
hair neatly in a manner that will best retain its nat-
ural style despite vigorous play. Deodorant keeps
you fresh and gives you assurance and confidence in
your social contacts. You should walk with poise at
all times.
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DAN GUTMAN
Merle raised her hand, and the charm school
lady called on her.
 What s a poy?
 Poise, Mrs. Vanderbilt repeated.  It means dig-
nity and confidence. Walk with poise. Are there any
other questions?
 Yeah, Ziggy said.  How is any of this gonna
help me make the double play?
The players laughed and Max Carey got up off
his stool.
 Okay, he said,  can we get back to our meeting
now? We got a game to play in less than an hour.
 There are still a few more things I would like to
go over about grooming and etiquette 
The phone on the wall rang behind me. Max
Carey gestured for me to pick it up.
 Milwaukee Chicks locker room, I answered.
 May I speak with Dorothy Maguire, please, a
serious-sounding woman said.
 Sure, who s this?
 Her mother, in Cleveland.
 Mickey, it s for you, I said, and handed her the
phone.
Mickey listened for a few seconds, then closed
her eyes and leaned heavily against the wall. The
phone dropped from her hand.
 Get out! Max Carey ordered the charm school
lady.
 But I still have a lot 
 Get out!
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MICKEY & ME
The charm school lady looked shocked and
insulted, scooting out the door without saying
another word. Tears were running down Mickey s
face and she was sobbing quietly.
 Tom s dead, she said simply. Then her knees
buckled and she slid down against the wall until
she was sitting on the floor. The rest of the team
rushed to her side. Max Carey hung his head.
I picked up the phone. Mickey s mother was still
on the line. She told me that Corporal Tom Maguire
had been killed in action several days before while
fighting in Italy. His body had not yet been recov-
ered. She didn t have any other information. I told
her how sorry everyone was and hung up the phone.
For a few minutes, nobody said anything.
Mickey s teammates just held her as she cried.
Those of us who had been with her the night before
knew she wasn t all that happy in her marriage. I
remembered that she had said her husband was
going to make her quit playing ball as soon as he
came home. If he was dead, she wouldn t have to
quit. I know it was wrong to think that her hus-
band s death could be a good thing, but I thought it
all the same. I wondered if she was thinking that,
too.
Mickey must have loved her husband to a cer-
tain extent. It was several minutes and a bunch of
tissues later when she was able to get to her feet.
 Mickey, Max Carey said as he came over and
put an arm around her,  sit this one out today. Take
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DAN GUTMAN
as much time as you need to come back.
 I can catch, Mr. Carey, I volunteered.
 No, Mickey said.  I want to play.
 Go home, Max pleaded.  Rest up. We ll talk
tomorrow.
 A split lip didn t keep me out of the lineup,
Mickey said, strapping on a shin guard.  A busted
toe didn t keep me out of the lineup. This won t keep
me out of the lineup either.
Carey sighed and patted her on the back.
 I ll have them make an annoucement over the
PA for the press and the fans, he said.
 No announcement! Mickey asserted in a voice
that said she meant it. She strapped on her other
shin guard and led the Chicks out to the dugout.
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16
Heading Home
THE TIME HAD COME FOR ME TO GO. THERE WAS NOTHING
more for me to do in 1944. I was alone in the locker
room now. It was quiet. I still had my baseball cards.
 Ladies and gentlemen, I heard the public
address announcer boom,  in ten minutes, the
Milwaukee Chicken will throw a strike for free-
dom!
I stopped. The chicken suit was in the open
locker next to Mickey s.
There was no reason for me to stay. I didn t have
to participate in any silly promotion. It wouldn t
make any difference whether or not I could throw a [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]