Page 52 of Crew
Now, I hoped it would continue to be even if my career wasn’t turning out the way I’d always dreamed it would.
22
CREW
The Seawolves were hittingour stride. A month into the season, and we were above .500. It wasn’t what anyone expected from an expansion team, but we weren’t playing like one. We were playing like a team that had been together for years. And I wasn’t about to complain.
Parker had been brought in to pull us together. And somehow, he was making it look easy. No one was surprised to see that he had the energy and the control to keep us in line. He didn’t coddle anyone, but he wasn’t too heavy-handed either. His leadership style had a balance to it, and it showed in the way we were gelling. He knew how to get us focused when things started to slip, but he also wasn’t afraid to let the team have a little fun. It worked for us.
Matthewson had been another key piece. His leadership came through in other ways. He wasn’t about intensity or laying down the law. He had the kind of personality that made us want to listen. He was funny, always throwing in a joke at the right moment, but when it came down to it, we knew he had our back. He had been the Rockies’unofficial “captain” when he played, and he continued to carry that vibe with him. He made the locker room feel light even on the toughest days.
Because of the coaching staff and our own determination, the Seawolves didn’t feel like a team of strangers anymore. We weren’t just individuals trying to make a name for ourselves; we were working toward something bigger. The camaraderie was clear in the way we celebrated a walk-off win or in the way someone stepped up to keep the momentum going when we were down runs in the ninth. Even after a tough inning, no one was sulking. Guys picked each other up without hesitation, like we’d been doing it for years.
In the clubhouse before our home game, the typical chatter filled the air. Jacobs and Turner were in the middle of their usual snack debate, this time about protein bars versus fruit.
“Those bars taste like chalk.” Turner shook his head as he peeled a banana. “I don’t care how many grams of protein they have. They’re just dry, flavorless blocks.”
Jacobs smirked, holding up a protein bar like a trophy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is the good stuff. You just don’t know how to appreciate the simple, effective fuel.”
Turner rolled his eyes. “Simple? They’re like eating cardboard with a little hint of desperation.”
“Cardboard?” Jacobs shot back with a laugh. “You’re the guy who thinks fruit is gonna keep you full for more than ten minutes. You’ve got that banana, but you’re gonna be starving by the time we hit the fourth inning.”
“I’ll be fine.” Turner shrugged. “At least I won’t be choking down a bar that sticks to the roof of my mouth.”
Jacobs shot him a devilish grin. “I’ll give you something to choke on.”
Turner chuckled. “Whatever, man. You’re still not getting me to eat one of those things.”
Their back-and-forth was just part of the usual pre-game routine now. I didn’t think anyone would get too serious about snacks, but it was always good for alaugh.
“Stratton!” Perez’s voice broke through the banter, and I caught the ball he tossed my way without even thinking. “You ready for tonight?”
“Always.” I tossed the ball back to him. “We’ve got this.”
Perez gave a nod. “That’s what I like to hear. Let’s keep the streak going.”
Perez was a guy who always seemed to know how to keep the mood up, no matter what. It was the kind of energy we needed before stepping onto the field.
A moment later, Parker walked in, his presence immediately commanding attention. “All right, listen up. We’ve got a good one tonight against the Astros. Don’t overthink it; just take care of business.”
A chorus of “Got it, Skip” echoed through the room.
Matthewson stood off to the side, leaning casually against the doorframe with a smile. “What Parker means is, let’s have some fun. Play the game the right way, but don’t forget to enjoy it. No magic tricks tonight. Just good baseball.”
Perez couldn’t resist. “You sure about that? No rabbits in your sleeves, coach?”
Matthewson laughed and shook his head. “If I had rabbits, Perez, I’d tell you to stop swinging like you’re trying to hit one of ‘em.”
Laughter spread through the locker room as we grabbed our gear and started heading toward the dugout.
“We’re not just here to play. We’re here to win,” Parker said, as we filtered out.
We won the game,and the locker room hummed with post-game energy. But as the guys headed out, either to meet up with family or get some rest, I was still buzzing from the win. I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I grabbed my keys and left the stadium to get a drink. I’d been renting a place since I moved from Denver, and while it was only supposed to be temporary, it was starting to feel like home.
The pub I sometimes frequented was a few blocks from my apartment.It was nothing fancy, but it had a good vibe. It wasn’t filled with fans, which was exactly what I needed.
I slipped onto a stool at the bar and ordered a beer, letting the noise from the crowd fade as I stared into the amber liquid and relaxed.
