Love Prevails (Kris Bryant)

25| The Art of Intimidation

McKayla

October. Time to eat Halloween candy and pumpkin flavored things and watch the leaves fall. The seasons are changing along with the color of the trees. People are trying to outdoors type things for the last time for a long time. The real best part of October you ask? I got three words for you. Post season baseball.

The Cubs were in Pittsburgh to take care of business in the Wildcard game. It was a best on best/may the best team win/one time elimination game. We wanted to win for a chance to compete in the World Series, but we also wanted to compete to get at the Cardinals. Nothing personal, just baseball. Except for when we're talking about the Cardinals I guess... so in a way it was personal. I sit in the dugout waiting for the wild card game to start and just watch the guys warm up. Something I learned about this team is that they're very open minded yet still very superstitious. Can't be too superstitious, can't have any more curses. After stretches and opening line ups things get started.

The first inning got heated quickly as Dexter hits a double and Kyle brings him in. Just two batters in and were already pressuring. This team was young, and I mean Dexter is 29 and one of the oldest on the team. These kids might not have experience but they have talent and that's more than enough to carry them through a winner take all game.

"That a boy Schwarbs" David yells as Dexter enters the dugout. During games I usually chill with Joe but I liked making my way up and down the dugout making sure everyone is doing good. Asking questions and keeping them relaxed yet focused.

"This game is basically over" I mention and David raised his eyebrow at me.

"What makes you think that" he asks.

"Have you seen Jake pitch these last two months? I mean he is absolutely dominating in every aspect of the game. All we need is one run behind him to get things done, and we do" I shrug.

"Okay you have a point" he admits. The first inning ends and Jake is locked in. As the game goes on I find myself enjoying such a atmosphere. I wasn't worried about winning, and I wasn't being cocky, just realistic. This place was not Wrigley, but it was my favorite place to visit, even if I hate most things in Pittsburg. But the most satisfying thing was the capacity stadium sitting perfectly still knowing that the Cubs were on right now and there was nothing they could do about it. The place was silent as Kyle murdered a baseball into the river. I mean I have never seen a ball hit so hard in my whole life. I almost felt sorry for it. Him and Dexter were racking up the offense and Jake barley let a pirate see a base. When he came up to bat in the seventh the first pitch always straight to the rib cage.

As a former pitcher I know how these things go. He's hit a few of their guys, completely by accident, and they feel like they need to retaliate. It's stupid but I get it, I've been there before. He's been making them look like fools all night and they don't like it. But that is the most dangerous and ridiculous act I've seen from a supposed professional athlete. That isn't how you settle your differences up here in the majors. That wasn't going to change the score and Jake was letting them know it. He started to the base before deciding to let the pitcher know he was being a little bitch. Soon enough the benches clear and I find myself guiding Jake to first base while coaches and umps try to separate the two teams. Jakes pitch count is still manageable and he has been lights out since the first inning, we can't afford to have him thrown out.

"Jake calm down" I demand as he continues to stare down the pitcher who was in the middle of being ejected. His shoulders were tense and I can see in his eyes he was letting this get to him.

"Jake look at me" I yell and his eyes meet mine. His face immediately softens as he lets out a small breath.

"That was close, almost lost it there" he laughs.

"I know, I could tell. They're just trying to get to you. You hurt their pride and they try to throw off your game. It's stupid, that's how it goes around here. But just remember while you ice your side with cool champagne you'll pop after winning the game they'll be icing the burn you left from the fire you've been throwing tonight" I joke.

"You're a mess" he smiles and I was finally convinced he was good now. I return to the dugout as Rodriguez decides to attack a Gatorade jug before being thrown out. He was a little hot headed.

"Wow... he really showed that Gatorade bottle" I mumble and Kris looks at me funny.

"Sometimes I forget how competitive you get. It's kind of hot" he mentions and I roll my eyes. The game ends in a complete game shut out for Jake and a dominant performance by the team. We go to celebrate in the locker room and spray the bubbly liquid on each other to celebrate the win.

"Hey Mac, just wanted to say thank you for calming me down earlier. That could have gotten real bad real quick" Jake yells over the loud music and screaming.

"It's kind of my job. But you have a good thing going, couldn't let it go. Keep throwing like that and you'll be in the hall of fame" I assure him.

"Thanks McKayla. You're the best" he replies giving me a side hug. Anthony comes over and pours the cold liquid over us as I let out a screech.

"Anthony" I scream as he laughs. I chase him down and pour a bottle all over him.

"Kris! Your girlfriend is trying to kill me" he screams and I get lifted off him. Kris sets me down and pulls me in tight.

"Good job Breezy, I'm proud of you" I mumble into his chest.

"Thanks Big Mac. Now, we move on to the Cardinals" he announces.

"Lets do it."