Steal Bases, Not Hearts (A Chicago Cubs Story)

Chapter 1

I walked into the clubhouse on a rainy April morning with a sore shoulder. Every time it rains, my muscle soreness seems to tense up. Today's game is going to be a big one against the St. Louis Cardinals and I don't know how I am going to get through it without feeling the pain with every swing or throw. The problem with feeling this way is that with any wince of pain that is visible on my face, Maddon will bench me in order to make sure that I don't ruin my chances at a monumental season. I knew that I couldn't risk telling our team Athletic Trainer, Ray, about this issue because he and Maddon are as tight as can be when it comes to us players and whether we can play or not. 

I taped up my own shoulder in secret and put on my under shirt and then the rest of my uniform as quickly as possible. Then I sat down at my locker and went through my pregame ritual of tying my shoes as tightly and slowly as possible and then tapping my feet while listening to "The Eye of the Tiger" from the Rocky movies. 

Just as the song ended and I felt pumped up and forgot the pain a girl walked into the clubhouse. I quickly put away my headphones as all the guys gathered around.

"Who is she?" I asked Rizzo. She was wearing an authentic cubs polo that was tucked into her khakis, which hugged her hips tightly. Her long blonde hair was in a loose pony tail and her beauty was radiating off of her from her blue eyes to her dimples.

"I don't know, KB, but you better quit staring," he laughed and hit me on the shoulder. I winced.

"Everyone, gather 'round," Ray said loudly standing in the center of the room with her. I looked over to Maddon who was nodding at Ray to continue.

"I know it is only the beginning of the season and you all were looking forward to another great year with me, but it is with great pleasure for myself and my family that I am able to announce to you guys that I am transferring to another ball club starting next series," he said and all the guys pretended to be sad. I knew they were pretending because the dude is one of the worst trainers I have ever had to deal with during my baseball career. "This new opportunity is going to be in my hometown of Milwaukee with the Brewers and I will be there for the remainder of the season." 

The guys erupted in more shouts and "Boo's" as the Brewers are one of our biggest rivals as of late. 

I was relieved. And then it hit me that this girl standing before us is going to be Ray's replacement. I sat up straight and intently watched as she took a step forward and smiled.

 "Hi, guys I'm Alex," she introduced herself to us all, "Don't get all soft on me since I'm a girl and don't try to act tough when your in pain. I went to school and recently graduated from one of the best programs in Illinois and am clinically trained. I am also the daughter of a heart surgeon, so with this team we may need him as a contact. You guys really know how to give your fans the big one each game."

The guys erupted in laughter and I couldn't help but to smile at her. This is exactly what the team needed. A little bad-ass who hopefully will be able to fix my shoulder without telling coach.

"But yeah. I'm here for you guys so please don't hesitate to come to me with whatever is bothering you and I guarantee I will make your boo boos feel better. Thanks guys."  

We all laughed.

 "She's a straight up killer. Wow." Rizzo said to me admiring her just as I was. I barely paid attention to him. I stood up and went straight toward her to introduce myself but Maddon stopped me and pulled me away before I could. 

 "She knows who you are KB. She's a fan, so no need to introduce yourself. I sure hope you have no aches and pains, today is going to be a tough game and you're supposed to be ready."

"I'm ready coach. I apologize," I said hiding the pain that I felt as he yanked my arm.

I looked back and noticed the other guys talking to Alex but he didn't care. I knew that I had to be the leader that is expected of me and that I don't need distractions. I do need to talk to her about my shoulder at some point though, because if I don't I may ruin my chances of making it to the All-Star game this July, or perhaps ruin my career as the third baseman for what I believe to be the greatest baseball team in existence. I want my chance to prove this to the world and I know I am going to need to stay healthy. 

After warm-ups, I went out and got ready for the game by stretching out at my position. Schwarbs gave me a pat on the back as he passed me at third on his way out to  center. He is right before me in the batting order and my go to guy to get me going every game. It's an odd pairing but I owe a lot to him.

When we were up to bat things started going for us. In the bottom of the first inning Dex walked to start us off and then Schwarber knocked one into left for a single. I followed it with another walk that left Rizzo at the plate with no outs and a chance at a grand slam. He came up short after a full count by swinging at a low ball and I could see the disappointment on his face as he returned to the dug-out. The next play was a double play that left us all stranded with no runs allowed. We had a chance at something big and ruined it. 

In the top of the fourth inning a ball flew towards be and I had to instinctively stretch my arm as far as possible to catch a ball that must have been hit toward me at over a hundred miles per hour. I felt my shoulder tense up as I threw the ball in as fast as possible to ensure the base runner at first remained where he was and I took the pain off of my face just as fast. 

The very next play was a ball hit out toward Schwarbs in center. Dex ran in to ensure that he was there to catch the ball if Schwarbs couldn't and the two ended up both going for it and collided on the warning track. I looked out to see if everything was alright and I noticed Schwarbs wincing in pain as Dexter waved his arms for the play to stop and for Maddon to call our trainer. 

I ran straight out there as my heart sank. He was holding onto his left leg and it was sort of just hanging there, it actually made my stomach churn just looking at it. He was also in front of thousands of people and looked so vulnerable laying there in the dirt. I called in the other fielders out to help shield him from the crowd as soon as Alex and Maddon got there to see his leg. She called in an ambulance and I held his hand so he could squeeze mine through the pain as they moved his leg around. 

"This is pretty bad, Kyle," she looked into his eyes, "We're going to get you out of here, you can let go of Kris and grab my hand. We need that ambulance!" Alex called again in her radio and then ordered us to help walk him back out to the dugout. I looked at her for a moment after hearing her speak my name and then I looked away before she noticed.

The crowd cheered him on as Rizzo and I slowly walked him to the dugout with Alex squeezing his hand next to me the entire time. Ray would have never done that for him, he would never have gotten Kyle to toughen up and face all these people through this pain. It was admiring.  

When we reached the dugout a few other guys grabbed him from us and Rizzo ran back out to first. I watched as they disappeared through the door and placed him on a cart to take him to an ambulance. 

 "Game must go on. He's in good hands. Back on third," Maddon shouted at me after I failed to return to the base.

"Yes coach," I said and ran back out not able to get my mind off of what had just happened.