Egypt, GA - December 5, 1917:
"I sure appreciate you doing this, Mr. Barrell,"
Dick York said.
Rufus grinned, he really liked this earnest young man - and he believed York was going to turn into a fine ballplayer for some FABL club. Even Possum thought York was the real deal as a catcher, having told Rufus that York was "quicker than a snake with a sunburn" behind the plate (whatever that meant) but he said it with a smile, so Rufus felt that it was a compliment in the typically obscure Daniels-style.
"My pleasure, Dick," Rufus said. Then he leaned forward and added in a low voice, "Rollie sure appreciates you bringing your sister along, too."
Dick smiled back as he said, "Yep, those two sure have taken a shine to each other."
The occasion was the 1917 FABL Draft and Rufus, as head of the OSA, had installed a teletype machine in his den. As the picks were transmitted to the league office in Washington, Tom Potentas was wiring them directly to Rufus so he could keep abreast of the draft as well.
This draft was special to the Barrell family as well: Jack was likely to be drafted. "But not too high," Rufus told an anxious Alice. "His primary focus is hockey, and the ballclubs all know it. But he's got talent, so someone will take a shot at him."
"Where do you think he'll go?" Rollie had asked.
"Oh, I'd guess middle rounds, somewhere between tenth and fifteenth."
Rollie frowned and Fred piped up with, "That stinks."
Rufus shook his head and told his boys, "Not really. There are a lot of baseball players in this country, both high school and college. If Jack was picked even in the fifteenth round, he'd still be in the top 240 players."
Danny and Fred looked skeptical, while Tommy looked like he was trying to do the math in his head.
Bobby raised his hand, making Rufus chuckle as he said, "Yes, Bob?"
"I just wanted to say when I get drafted, I'm going to be first."
Rufus laughed aloud. "That's a fine aspiration Bob."
Harry, just four years old, added, "Me too! Barrell boys are number one, right Pop?"
"Just so, my boy, just so," Rufus said with a twinkle in his eye.
Danny just rolled his eyes, then pointed to the corner of the room where Rollie and Francie had their heads together, talking quietly.
"Hey Pop, Rollie's in looo-oooove!" Danny said and started making smooching sounds.
Rollie hadn't quite finished turning red before Rufus told his younger boys to behave.
Fred had turned to Dick and was asking about the best way to block a pitch in the dirt when the teletype sprung to life.
"First pick is in... let's see , the Keystones took...
Elmer Lambert."
"Elmer who?" Fred asked.
"Lambert..." Rufus said. "I think they blew it there."
Over the next half hour while Dick York sat and chewed his fingernails, the picks slowly trickled in...
The Pioneers took
Eddie Hannah... "Bah, I'm better than him," York muttered. Rufus, though he didn't say so, agreed.
The Stars tapped
Jack Coles. "College men, so far," Rufus said. Toronto took another hitter - and collegiate player - fourth with a pick of
Bobby Phillips.
"Hmm... the Sailors are up next. They should take you, Dick," Rufus said, but added, "But... you never know."
They didn't - the Sailors grabbed 2B
Willie Brewer. The sixth pick, by the Cougars, was
Jack Gray. "That might be the best pick so far," Rufus opined.
Rufus noticed that Dick was looking ever more nervous. He patted his knee and told him, "The Eagles are up next - they're going to take
Jim Carreon - but your waiting, I think, is almost done."
The teletype clattered again, this time with the Detroit pick. "Let's see..." Rufus said, "the Dynamos take... Dick York!"
Dick jumped to his feet and let out a whoop of pure joy. Francie gave him a big hug while Rollie slapped him on the back and the younger Barrell boys gathered around and were all shouting at once.
Rufus noticed Fred wasn't celebrating all that much.
"What's wrong Freddie?" he asked.
"Well, Detroit's really far away. How's Dick going to help me with my catching?"
Rufus put his arm around his son, "Well, Fred. Look at it this way. When Dick's a bigshot FABL star, you can say he taught you how to be a good catcher. And as for what you'll do without him around... well, I'll have Possum come down and work with you. He's got a lot of knowledge in that area too, you know."
Fred grumpily said, "Yeah, I guess so."
Dick reached out and picked Fred up. "Hey, my friend. I'll be in Detroit for baseball season, but my family and friends are here and I'll be back and we can work on your catching in the offseason, ok?"
Fred smiled and said, "Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks Dick!"
Rufus followed the teletype with a bit less attention for a bit, and even took time out to get something to eat. But by round eight, he was back at the machine... waiting for Jack's name to appear.