The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-10

cigar and eyed 1t thoughfully. Me
CURE was unhappy. He had a stone
wall for an infield, and only Texas
leaguers could get by the boys in
the outfield. What he lacked waa
third pitcher and he needed that man
badly. Seven tryouts, and all of them
more or less fizzles-not a big league
man in the bunchl Soon he would be
going north with only two reliable
pitchers on his string, to do battle.
He saw how it would be. He'd have
10 pay through the nose for the third
men--cash and players he could not
spare.
He was turning away from the
cigar counter when a hand, touching
his elbow, detained him. He wheeled
and saw a total stranger young,
handsome. healthy tan on his
cheeks, the whites of his eyes like
china. and smile that was genial
and unafraid.
MIR. MCGUIRE. understand you are
In need of pitcher" 1t was not
query; 1t was statement. The
voice was rather low.
That may be-" replied Mcclure.
Having noted the physical assets
his glance absorbed the sartorial.
Nice looking chap, well set up, and
big city clothes.
singular thing happened. The
young man took from a pocket
small pad and pencil and pushed
them along the glass top of the cigar
counter
My Name is Lynn. I'm stone deaf;
but can pitch baseball"
Deaf! MCGUIRE took the pad ana
pencil and wrote: Nothing doing"
He underscored it vigorously. He
shook his head. There was sympathy
in his expression. Tough for young
chap like this to be handicapped by
deafness. But he had sworn he would
never have any freaks warming his
benches.
Can't you give me a tryout-your
best batter and catcher. in the morn
ing?"
Mcclure wrote again: Sorry: your
afflicition is a tough thing. But I've
always drawn the line at anything
like deafness. Nothing doing" Nc
CURE moved away rapidly, 1t was
an embarrassing situation, and he
wanted to get away from it,
The young man who said his name
was Lynn sighed and restored his
pad and pencil TO his pocket He
strolled over to the nearest lobby
chair and sat down.
AS Mcclure reached the line OF
lounging chairs by the windows, an
elderly but agile man jumped up.
Ready"
"Yep. Let's go and soc Charlie
Chaplin throw pie. I want to see
If he can shoot EN- as straight as
that bunch OF blind men you turned
loose on me, after all your horn blow
ing"
Jaw, Mac. the kids are choked up!
tell you they can pitch"
1, frrI lao cr1Ta
ball Murph as a scout you're
good Kelly-pool shark. You rounded
up seven tin cans for me. There
isn't a pitcher in that bunch" The
two passed out into the street. And
say it seems the whole country
knows 1 haven't a real string OF
pitchers this season. While l was
lighting my cigar, lad touches my
arm and asks me for a Job as
pitcher. Then he takes out tab
and pencil and shoves EN- along 70
me. Deaf as a postr
what name?"
Lynn. think he said"
Lynn" the scout repeated the
name. not TO memorize it but to jog
his recollection. Lynn"
Holy Mackered!"
Whats the natter
where is her
Left him by the cigar counter.
The scout whirled and ran back
TO the lobby. Mcclure continued on
slowly Three minutes later the scout
reioined him.
Mac let's cut out this movie stuff
I've got something to tell you-big!
Come along to my room. where can
lay hands on that serapbooi of
whats the dope2" jeered NC
CURE
ION the level i've got a whale Of
an idea. II it doesn't work, Ill scout
this summer for board and fare. All
you got to do is to come up to my
room There's two shows; the second
begins at 9:15. Come on"
"All right" agreed Mcclure re-
signedly. TIL listen to the dope. But
PHI hold you to that bet"
Murphy dug up his scrapbook ana
began thumbling the pages. "Hai
Here it is. Listen. Mac This Lynn
is the college guy I told you about
last summer Member"
But you never told me he was
dummy" -indignantly.
Mac. he wasn't when | first
1amped him. Here's the dope. ! trail
ed this lad three separate times He
was wonder-speed, control. brains.
saw him shut out Yale two out
three games; same with Princeton.
And don't you fool yourself. Mac
Outside the majors. these college
boys are the grand bali players"
ina l.