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Jason · 08-14-2006, 07:56 PM

June 1, 2007, 11:15am, Detroit, MI
(Detroit is 37-14, 6 games ahead of Chicago. Stats: .309, 8 HR, 39 RBI)

“This better be good,” Salinas said as we stepped from his car and made our way toward the front entrance of Henry Ford Hospital. “This is going to completely throw off my game day routine and by the time we get to the clubhouse all the burritos are going to be gone.”

“Tell me about it,” I said. “If I don’t gas up before the game, I’m in trouble.”

Salinas shot me a sarcastic smile as we turned the corner to approach the front entrance of the hospital. It didn’t take five seconds for a camera crew to spot us and suddenly we were pushing through the media.

“Dale!” a voice yelled. “Will! What do you think of what happened to Dealba?”

“I think he got taken out by a crap play,” I said into one of the microphones shoved in my face as I walked.

“Are you going to get revenge?” another voice called.

“We’re going to play to win,” Salinas said. “The best revenge we can have is to win tonight’s game and all the other games against Minnesota.”

“Are you really upset about this or are you quietly happy because you hate Dealba?” a voice said. Salinas and I stopped dead in our tracks as we recognized the voice.

“I don’t believe it,” Salinas said as we turned to see the face of the ex-Toledo Blade reporter we had fired for making up stories about me.

“Good to see you landed on your feet,” I said. “What newspaper doesn’t care if their reporter doesn’t have a track record of accurate and truthful information?”

Several of the television reporters chuckled while Salinas just smiled.

“I’m working freelance,” the reporter answered. “I’m going to bring out the truth even if I have to stand alone to do it.”

“And I’m sure that will be the case,” I said as I turned and started to walk away.

“So why not really tell us how you feel about Dealba’s injury?” the reporter yelled. “You hated him. Will you admit you think the clubhouse will be better without him?”

“All right,” I said with irritation. Salinas put his hand on my shoulder and shook his head. I shot him a quick smile and turned back to the reporter.

“Well?” he asked.

“You know something?” I said. “I never even got your name. Guess I didn’t think it was important at the time.”

The other reporters again laughed at their overzealous colleague.

“Bill,” the reporter said flatly. “Bill Davalos.”

“Well, Billy,” I said, “If you want the quote of the day in response to your question, here it is.”

Microphones appeared from everywhere.

“Cody Dealba is our teammate,” I said while not taking my eyes off Davalos. “Every day we go to the field to win or lose with our teammates. When one is taken out in this way it hurts the entire team. We’re never happy when a part of us gets treated the way Dealba was treated. Have a nice day.”

I spun and walked into the lobby with the reporters shouting questions to my back. Salinas was walking beside me with a curious smile on his face.

“What?” I said as I looked at him and tried to stifle a smile.

“That was diplomatic, calm and exactly what our team’s PR department would want you to say,” Salinas said. “Who the hell are you and what have you done with Dale?”

“I can’t wait to see how he tries to file a story,” I said. “If anyone will print it, that is.”

“Why?”

“Because everyone out there got my quote as I said it,” I said. “There’s no way he can spin it to say I hate Dealba.”

“That’s good,” Salinas said.

“At least we know that idiot’s back on the scene,” I said.

“The team won’t give him access,” Salinas said as the elevator door opened and we walked in. A very surprised looking young nurse stepped to the side of the elevator and stood silently with eyes wide.

“I know,” I said. “Hopefully he’ll get a job somewhere that he’ll fit right in. Like working for Bobby Cash’s website.”

Salinas and I laughed all the way to the fifth floor. The doors opened and a slightly overweight Hispanic woman was sitting on a chair across the lobby.

“Mr. Salinas and Mr. Ellison?” she asked as she got up.

“Yes,” Salinas said as we walked and met her halfway across the lobby.

“I’m Maria Dealba,” she said. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

She escorted us to the end of a hallway past some security guards into a private room. Dealba was laying in a bed reading a copy of Sports Weekly with the TV on ESPN.

“I wouldn’t think you’d want to keep watching that,” I said.

“I’m going to get it on DVD,” Dealba said. “I’ll watch it while I’m rehabbing.”

“I’ve done worse,” Salinas said as he stood at the foot of Dealba’s bed. I leaned on the doorway and looked in.

“I bet you wonder why I asked for you,” Dealba said.

“Crossed our minds,” I said.

“I know we haven’t gotten along,” Dealba said. “But you’re the leaders of this team and I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What?” Salinas said.

“Don’t retaliate,” Dealba said.

“Excuse me?” Salinas said.

“I don’t want you to do anything to Torres for what he did,” Dealba said. “I know that it’s baseball code to get a guy back for something like that but I just can’t allow it to happen. I have very strong religious beliefs and I want to turn the other cheek here.”

“I don’t know if the guys will go for that,” I said.

“Then you need to make them!” Dealba said. “This is very, very important to me. If I find out someone got back at Torres for this then I don’t know how I’ll be able to live with it. This was an accident and we need to forgive and move on.”

I looked to Maria Dealba. She was standing at the window looking outside at the noon sun.

“I’ll try,” Salinas said. “If this is what you really want.”

“It is,” Dealba said. “Promise me you’ll do it. If you and Dale tell the guys not to get back at Torres then they won’t do it. We’ll take the high road on all of this and be bigger men for it.”

“Is that all you need?” I said with obvious irritation. It was all I could do not to turn and walk away. Salinas shot me a hard look and I turned back toward Maria Dealba who continued to just stare out the window.

“Dale,” Dealba said. “Dale.”

I turned and looked at him.

“I’m sorry for all I’ve done,” Dealba said. “I’ve been an ass to you and made your life hell. I am truly sorry and from here on out I’m going to do all I can to be the best teammate you’ve ever had.”

Salinas looked at me and it felt like my father’s glare.

“I’m sorry too,” I said. “We need to leave if we’re going to get to the park on time.”

“Thanks for coming down,” Dealba said. “I’ll be watching the game tonight right here.”

Salinas and I said a farewell to Maria Dealba but she didn’t respond. We walked all the way to Salinas’ car silently.

“Well?” Salinas said.

“I don’t like him,” I said. “Not getting back at Torres for him wouldn’t be hard.”

“None of the other guys would do it if it wasn’t for our code,” Salinas said.

“Let’s just do it,” I said. “Who cares if it would make him happy as well.”

“Ok,” Salinas said.

________________________________________

“He said that?” Cody Dealba said into the cell phone he had hidden under the bed covers. “He’ll say anything to cover it up.”

Dealba shifted on the bed as he listened to the voice on the phone.

“Well, I told them that they shouldn’t hurt him like he hurt me but it would nice to see that the team really cared about what happened to me,” Dealba said. “Ellison said that I should be lucky he’s telling the press that he cares. I’m telling you that nothing is going to be done about it. They’re going to show in their actions the kind of selfish, horrible teammates they really are.”

Maria Dealba turned from the window and looked at her husband. She shook her head in disgust and turned back to the window.

“Watch their actions,” Dealba said. “You’ll see it’s true soon enough. And you have me as a source but don’t reveal you’re getting this information from me. It’s hard enough to deal with them let alone being known as the guy who brought the truth out about them. Good luck, Mr. Davalos. Let me know if I can help more.”

Dealba slapped the phone shut and tossed it on the chair next to his wife.

“What’s your problem?” he said to her.

“You know what my problem is,” she replied without looking at him.

“Then you’ll just have to get over it,” Dealba said. “Or better yet, just go to confession and pretend like you really feel guilty about this.”

“I do feel guilty, Cody,” she said. “These men have done nothing to you to deserve this.”

“Oh shut up,” Dealba replied. “Sometimes you’re so worthless and weak.”

“Sure, Cody,” Maria Dealba said as the sun warmed the tears running down her cheeks. “Whatever you say.”

08-14-2006, 07:56 PM	#140
Jason Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,852	June 1, 2007, 11:15am, Detroit, MI (Detroit is 37-14, 6 games ahead of Chicago. Stats: .309, 8 HR, 39 RBI) “This better be good,” Salinas said as we stepped from his car and made our way toward the front entrance of Henry Ford Hospital. “This is going to completely throw off my game day routine and by the time we get to the clubhouse all the burritos are going to be gone.” “Tell me about it,” I said. “If I don’t gas up before the game, I’m in trouble.” Salinas shot me a sarcastic smile as we turned the corner to approach the front entrance of the hospital. It didn’t take five seconds for a camera crew to spot us and suddenly we were pushing through the media. “Dale!” a voice yelled. “Will! What do you think of what happened to Dealba?” “I think he got taken out by a crap play,” I said into one of the microphones shoved in my face as I walked. “Are you going to get revenge?” another voice called. “We’re going to play to win,” Salinas said. “The best revenge we can have is to win tonight’s game and all the other games against Minnesota.” “Are you really upset about this or are you quietly happy because you hate Dealba?” a voice said. Salinas and I stopped dead in our tracks as we recognized the voice. “I don’t believe it,” Salinas said as we turned to see the face of the ex-Toledo Blade reporter we had fired for making up stories about me. “Good to see you landed on your feet,” I said. “What newspaper doesn’t care if their reporter doesn’t have a track record of accurate and truthful information?” Several of the television reporters chuckled while Salinas just smiled. “I’m working freelance,” the reporter answered. “I’m going to bring out the truth even if I have to stand alone to do it.” “And I’m sure that will be the case,” I said as I turned and started to walk away. “So why not really tell us how you feel about Dealba’s injury?” the reporter yelled. “You hated him. Will you admit you think the clubhouse will be better without him?” “All right,” I said with irritation. Salinas put his hand on my shoulder and shook his head. I shot him a quick smile and turned back to the reporter. “Well?” he asked. “You know something?” I said. “I never even got your name. Guess I didn’t think it was important at the time.” The other reporters again laughed at their overzealous colleague. “Bill,” the reporter said flatly. “Bill Davalos.” “Well, Billy,” I said, “If you want the quote of the day in response to your question, here it is.” Microphones appeared from everywhere. “Cody Dealba is our teammate,” I said while not taking my eyes off Davalos. “Every day we go to the field to win or lose with our teammates. When one is taken out in this way it hurts the entire team. We’re never happy when a part of us gets treated the way Dealba was treated. Have a nice day.” I spun and walked into the lobby with the reporters shouting questions to my back. Salinas was walking beside me with a curious smile on his face. “What?” I said as I looked at him and tried to stifle a smile. “That was diplomatic, calm and exactly what our team’s PR department would want you to say,” Salinas said. “Who the hell are you and what have you done with Dale?” “I can’t wait to see how he tries to file a story,” I said. “If anyone will print it, that is.” “Why?” “Because everyone out there got my quote as I said it,” I said. “There’s no way he can spin it to say I hate Dealba.” “That’s good,” Salinas said. “At least we know that idiot’s back on the scene,” I said. “The team won’t give him access,” Salinas said as the elevator door opened and we walked in. A very surprised looking young nurse stepped to the side of the elevator and stood silently with eyes wide. “I know,” I said. “Hopefully he’ll get a job somewhere that he’ll fit right in. Like working for Bobby Cash’s website.” Salinas and I laughed all the way to the fifth floor. The doors opened and a slightly overweight Hispanic woman was sitting on a chair across the lobby. “Mr. Salinas and Mr. Ellison?” she asked as she got up. “Yes,” Salinas said as we walked and met her halfway across the lobby. “I’m Maria Dealba,” she said. “Thank you for coming so quickly.” She escorted us to the end of a hallway past some security guards into a private room. Dealba was laying in a bed reading a copy of Sports Weekly with the TV on ESPN. “I wouldn’t think you’d want to keep watching that,” I said. “I’m going to get it on DVD,” Dealba said. “I’ll watch it while I’m rehabbing.” “I’ve done worse,” Salinas said as he stood at the foot of Dealba’s bed. I leaned on the doorway and looked in. “I bet you wonder why I asked for you,” Dealba said. “Crossed our minds,” I said. “I know we haven’t gotten along,” Dealba said. “But you’re the leaders of this team and I have a favor to ask of you.” “What?” Salinas said. “Don’t retaliate,” Dealba said. “Excuse me?” Salinas said. “I don’t want you to do anything to Torres for what he did,” Dealba said. “I know that it’s baseball code to get a guy back for something like that but I just can’t allow it to happen. I have very strong religious beliefs and I want to turn the other cheek here.” “I don’t know if the guys will go for that,” I said. “Then you need to make them!” Dealba said. “This is very, very important to me. If I find out someone got back at Torres for this then I don’t know how I’ll be able to live with it. This was an accident and we need to forgive and move on.” I looked to Maria Dealba. She was standing at the window looking outside at the noon sun. “I’ll try,” Salinas said. “If this is what you really want.” “It is,” Dealba said. “Promise me you’ll do it. If you and Dale tell the guys not to get back at Torres then they won’t do it. We’ll take the high road on all of this and be bigger men for it.” “Is that all you need?” I said with obvious irritation. It was all I could do not to turn and walk away. Salinas shot me a hard look and I turned back toward Maria Dealba who continued to just stare out the window. “Dale,” Dealba said. “Dale.” I turned and looked at him. “I’m sorry for all I’ve done,” Dealba said. “I’ve been an ass to you and made your life hell. I am truly sorry and from here on out I’m going to do all I can to be the best teammate you’ve ever had.” Salinas looked at me and it felt like my father’s glare. “I’m sorry too,” I said. “We need to leave if we’re going to get to the park on time.” “Thanks for coming down,” Dealba said. “I’ll be watching the game tonight right here.” Salinas and I said a farewell to Maria Dealba but she didn’t respond. We walked all the way to Salinas’ car silently. “Well?” Salinas said. “I don’t like him,” I said. “Not getting back at Torres for him wouldn’t be hard.” “None of the other guys would do it if it wasn’t for our code,” Salinas said. “Let’s just do it,” I said. “Who cares if it would make him happy as well.” “Ok,” Salinas said. ________________________________________ “He said that?” Cody Dealba said into the cell phone he had hidden under the bed covers. “He’ll say anything to cover it up.” Dealba shifted on the bed as he listened to the voice on the phone. “Well, I told them that they shouldn’t hurt him like he hurt me but it would nice to see that the team really cared about what happened to me,” Dealba said. “Ellison said that I should be lucky he’s telling the press that he cares. I’m telling you that nothing is going to be done about it. They’re going to show in their actions the kind of selfish, horrible teammates they really are.” Maria Dealba turned from the window and looked at her husband. She shook her head in disgust and turned back to the window. “Watch their actions,” Dealba said. “You’ll see it’s true soon enough. And you have me as a source but don’t reveal you’re getting this information from me. It’s hard enough to deal with them let alone being known as the guy who brought the truth out about them. Good luck, Mr. Davalos. Let me know if I can help more.” Dealba slapped the phone shut and tossed it on the chair next to his wife. “What’s your problem?” he said to her. “You know what my problem is,” she replied without looking at him. “Then you’ll just have to get over it,” Dealba said. “Or better yet, just go to confession and pretend like you really feel guilty about this.” “I do feel guilty, Cody,” she said. “These men have done nothing to you to deserve this.” “Oh shut up,” Dealba replied. “Sometimes you’re so worthless and weak.” “Sure, Cody,” Maria Dealba said as the sun warmed the tears running down her cheeks. “Whatever you say.”