Page 6 of Crew
We were downby two at the top of the eighth against the Dodgers. Our new guy, Singleton, was up to bat and behind in the count with Neal on second and Latham on first. We already had two outs on the board, but we could tie it all up if Singleton hit a double. Then we’d have a chance to beat LA.
We’d been on a losing streak going into our road trip and needed a win to turn shit around. Singleton had the potential and drive to help us, so while I watched Johnson get his sign and pitch the ball, I held my breath.
Singleton swung, and the ball soared toward right field. Every guy on the bench tracked it, until it cleared the fence. We all jumped up, cheering as the rookie hit his first major league home run in just his third game and put us ahead by one.
After Singleton jogged around the bases and made his way back into the dugout, none of us congratulated him. There were no handshakes. No high-fives and no slaps on the back or ass. We acted as though he’d struck out.
I walked toward him, trying not to make eye contact as he took a seat on the bench and wiped the back of his neck with a towel.
“You really gonna ignore me?” he muttered under his breath.
I pretended to not hear him. “Hey, Skip,” I called out, turning toward our manager. “We get a run for a ground out, right? Or is it just a walk that counts?”
The guys caught on quickly.
“No, no,” Payne jumped in, scratching his chin like he was deep in thought. “It’s a sac fly that counts as half a run, isn’t it?”
Robinson shook his head. “Nah, that only works if you’ve been in the league for more than a week.”
Singleton tossed his towel onto the bench and leaned back, stretching his arms across the top. “That’s cute, guys. Real cute.”
I finally glanced over, barely biting back a grin. “You say something? Thought I heard a rookie chirping.”
He exhaled sharply through his nose, but I didn’t miss the way his lips twitched.
“All right, all right,” Robinson relented, reaching over to ruffle Singleton’s hair. “You did good, man.”
That was all it took. The dugout erupted, and I pulled Singleton up and into a bro hug. Others clapped him on the back and a few guys even went for smacks on his ass, which was just part of the sport’s culture.
Singleton shook his head through it all, but the smile finally broke free as he returned to his seat. “You guys are dicks.”
I sat and nudged his knee with mine. “Welcome to the big leagues.”
He scoffed, running a hand through his brown hair. “Hell of a welcome.”
“Oh, we’re just getting started.” Payne grinned.
Latham grabbed Singleton’s towel off the bench and snapped it at his thigh. “Gotta keep you humble, rookie.”
Singleton swatted him away. “Right. Because hitting a go-ahead home run in my third game isn’t enough to prove I belong here?”
I smirked. “Nah. You’re still on probation.”
Davenport crossed his arms. “We’ll let you know when you’ve earned real congratulations.”
Singleton rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. He knew the deal. He’d played ball long enough to expect it. And from the way he was fighting a smile, I had a feeling he didn’tmind.
The locker room was loud.Music blasted from the speaker in the corner, showers ran, and the guys were still riding high off the win. Beating the Dodgers always felt good, but snapping a losing streak on top of it was even better.
Singleton sat at his locker next to mine, untying his cleats, when Neal strolled over, a towel slung around his neck. “So, rookie, tell us, was that home run for us, or were you just trying to impress your mommy and daddy watching at home?”
A few guys snickered, and Singleton didn’t even look up as he kicked off his spikes. “I don’t need to impress them. They already know I’m better than all of you.”
Groans of protest echoed through the locker room.
Latham grinned. “Cocky for a guy who just got his first dinger. What happens if you go oh-for-four tomorrow? Are we taking away your home run privileges?”
Singleton smirked, clearly knowing Latham was fucking with him. “That a thing now?”
