Benny Rodriguez; 1962

You Anger Me

July 6th, 1962

"Well, you got any extra cents lying around Smalls?"

"No but I got a ball."

"Go get it!"

"Okay."

"I wonder where he got a ball." I shrug my shoulders and start twirling in circles in outfield while the boys discuss something to do with Wendy Peffercorn. I feel bad for the poor girl

"I got the ball!"

"Yeah!"

"Your ball, your ups."

"Really?"

"Yeah, here Kenny." Benny throws the ball to DeNunez and goes to third base

"Your flys open." Ham torments Scotty and sniggers and then Scotty get strike three.

"Ham, shut your mouth!" I shout and he just shakes his head and continues to laugh.

"Hey Batter, Batter, Batter."

Scotty hits the ball and it goes all the way across the fence. I didn't even know he could do that

"Yeah! Go Scotty." He runs to second base and then starts making his way towards center field where he hit the ball

"Nice hit, Smalls!"

"Scotty, you forgot to turn."

"Smalls, third base is that way." Squints points towards third and I can't help but laugh at the way he says it

"What the hell's he doing?" DeNunez asks and everyone shrugs

"Maybe the shock of his first homer was too much for him."

"I don't know about that." I run over to Scotty "don't tell me you did what I think you did." He slowly turns towards me and nods his head

"Scotty Leroy Smalls! How dare you, why- what- what were you thinking?"

"I- I don't know."

"Guys, we need to get that ball back."

"That's real funny Bella."

"I'm being serious."

"Kiss that ball goodbye."

"Shut up! You guys don't even realize what's happened."

"Yes we do, he hit the ball over the fence and now he thinks he's ruined the day for us."

"Scotty, tell them."

"That wasn't my ball." He mumbles and smacks his forehead

"What do you mean? Who's ball was it?"

"It was my stepdads, I stole it from his trophy case. It was a gift or something from someone. We've gotta get it back!"

"Scotty, Babe Ruth!"

"Scotty, who gave him that ball?" Benny asks with uncertainness in his voice

"Some lady, I don't know."

"What lady?"

"She signed her name, yeah. Ruth. Baby Ruthie?"

"Babe Ruth, you idiot!"

"Why do you guys keep talking about her? I don't understand."

"You mean to tell me that you went home and swiped a ball... signed by Babe Ruth?"

"Yes, what about her?"

"The Sultan of Swat."

"The King of Crash."