Willie & Me Read Free

the New York Giants. It was before both teams moved to California, Joey.”
    â€œI know , Dad,” I said, rolling my eyes.
    I’m not stupid. I know my baseball history. In 1958, the New York Giants became the San Francisco Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers became the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    â€œThe Giants won the first game of the 1951 season,” Kenny told us, “and then they lost eleven in a row. They were terrible. By August eleventh, they were thirteen and a half games behind the Dodgers. It was hopeless.”
    â€œThen they turned it around,” Dad said, picking up the story. “They won something like sixteen in a row.”
    â€œThirty-seven of their last forty-four,” Kenny said. “Twelve of their last thirteen. And on the last day of the season, they tied the Dodgers and forced athree-game playoff for the pennant.”
    â€œAnd in the final game . . . the final inning,” Dad said, “Thomson hit the Shot Heard Round the World. Branca threw the pitch, that poor bum.”
    â€œThe Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! ” both of them started chanting.
    I had heard that famous radio call of the home run myself. And I’d seen the video on YouTube.
    â€œHow much do you want for the plaque?” my dad asked.
    Kenny looked it over, even pulling out a magnifying glass to examine both cards carefully.
    â€œI can let it go for a hundred and fifty,” he said.
    My dad whistled.
    â€œThat’s way too much,” I whispered in his ear. “I don’t want you to spend—”
    â€œIt’s your birthday,” he whispered back. “You only turn fourteen once. And besides, it’s a steal . Thomson and Branca cards from 1951 have got to be worth more than a hundred and fifty bucks.”
    Dad turned back to Kenny.
    â€œMind if I ask why you’re selling this so cheap?”
    â€œThe cards would be worth about a hundred each in mint condition,” Kenny told us. “But they’re creased and messed up a little at the edges. Also, they’re glued to the wood. The guy who did that was a real dope. That always hurts the value. Too bad he didn’t use photo corners. So anyway, they’re not worth much.”
    â€œWe’ll think it over,” my dad said, preparing to roll away.
    â€œTell you what,” Kenny said before we could get very far. “You seem like good guys, and it’s the kid’s birthday. For you, I’ll knock off ten percent. Make it a hundred and thirty-five. I shouldn’t be doing this, but you caught me in a good mood.”
    My dad didn’t think it over very long.
    â€œWe’ll take it,” he said.
    â€œDad! That’s too much money!”
    â€œHey,” Kenny said, “tell you what I’m gonna do. I’ll give the plaque to ya for free if you can answer this question. Ya ready? When Thomson hit the Shot Heard Round the World, who was the on-deck batter? I’ll give you one guess.”
    My dad looked at me blankly. He didn’t know. I tried to think back and remember that documentary I saw on TV. But for the life of me, I couldn’t come up with the name.
    â€œI give up,” I finally said.
    â€œWillie Mays!” said Kenny. “Mays was in the on-deck circle when Thomson hit that homer.”
    â€œYes!” I shouted, hitting my forehead. “I knew that!”
    â€œWell, here’s something you probably don’t know,” Kenny said as he handed me the plaque. “The Giants cheated. There’s no way a team could come back from thirteen games behind that late in the season. They won the pennant by cheating.”
    â€œAh, that’s just sour grapes,” my dad said as hefished out his wallet and pulled out a bunch of bills. “You’re a Dodger fan. It’s been more than sixty years. Get over it.”
    â€œIt’s true, man,” Kenny said. “They