1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,879 The Ghost of Silent Smith, An uncanny tale by C. Franklin Miller. 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,519 Silent Smith was dead to begin with, of that, there could be no 3 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:15,359 doubt. The story of his tragic end was featured in the first column of 4 00:00:15,439 --> 00:00:20,320 every sporting sheet in the country, and was officially verified in due course by 5 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:25,920 the physician, the coroner, and the clergyman. Furthermore, the tragedy itself 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:31,399 was visioned by some twenty thousand eyes. They all saw the blinding speed of 7 00:00:31,399 --> 00:00:36,280 the ball as it left the pitcher's hand. They saw the melancholy indifference of 8 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:40,359 Silence as he stood at the plate. They saw the ball crush into his 9 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:44,280 right temple, and they saw him fall. Some said that he wanted to 10 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,359 die, but that is beside the question of one thing. We are sure 11 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:54,759 Silent Smith was dead. I myself saw his corpse two days later. It 12 00:00:54,799 --> 00:00:58,719 was laid out in somber black. His coffin was black, his suit was 13 00:00:58,759 --> 00:01:03,520 black, and black was his bat weighing tie. Black was his favorite color. 14 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,239 It harmonized perfectly with the gloom of his disposition, and to it he 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:12,599 clung consistent in death as an active life. The time of his death is 16 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:19,239 likewise certain. It occurred at precisely twenty two minutes after three Eastern Standard time. 17 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,120 That fact I have verified. It is important. Had it occurred five 18 00:01:23,159 --> 00:01:29,000 hours later, there would be nothing unusual to tell about. Silent Smith would 19 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:33,680 have been duly buried, mourned, and finally forgotten, except for the brilliant 20 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:38,200 record, which will always stand as a monument to his pitching skill. As 21 00:01:38,239 --> 00:01:41,959 it was, he died at the time stated, and his corpse was in 22 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:47,000 the hands of the coroner. Exactly one hour later. That same hour found 23 00:01:47,079 --> 00:01:51,760 him staging the most remarkable comeback in the history of the national game, and 24 00:01:51,959 --> 00:01:56,879 this at a point three thousand miles away. I make that statement with a 25 00:01:56,959 --> 00:02:00,680 full knowledge of the actual facts. As a member of Johnny Morgan's Bears that 26 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:06,000 year, I saw the weird occurrence with my own eyes. It happened out 27 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,800 on the coast in the presence of some eight thousand fans. Those in the 28 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:15,319 assembled throng who knew Silent and his mannerisms could only stare and wonder. At 29 00:02:15,319 --> 00:02:20,360 the time. They had no knowledge of his death. I had, so 30 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:23,280 had the rest of the players on the Bears bench. A telegram from the 31 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:30,280 east had borne the tragic news that message shed a ghostly light on the astounding 32 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:35,120 phenomenon, and lent to the affair a vague tinge of plausibility. However, 33 00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:40,800 amazing understand I do not deny the evidence of written records that would be useless. 34 00:02:42,319 --> 00:02:45,919 I know that talkative Andy Gregg was on the mound for the Bears that 35 00:02:46,039 --> 00:02:50,479 day. I realized that he was credited with the victory which brought to the 36 00:02:50,479 --> 00:02:54,159 club the first pennant we ever flaunted along the coast, and I agree that 37 00:02:54,240 --> 00:03:00,439 he deserved the credit. For all practical purposes, the voluble lad had labored 38 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:05,719 nine full innings, giving one of the most sensational exhibitions of hurling ever witnessed. 39 00:03:06,439 --> 00:03:10,840 Nevertheless, I insist that Silent Smith pitched the Bears into that pennant as 40 00:03:10,879 --> 00:03:15,439 surely as his death occurred two hours before the game was called. Let us 41 00:03:15,479 --> 00:03:21,240 see, Silent Smith had been our twirling ace the greater part of the season. 42 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,240 Anyone who ever saw him in action will tell you he was a pitching 43 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:30,159 marvel. He could work in turn every fourth day, to relief duty in 44 00:03:30,199 --> 00:03:34,360 between when called upon, and still win the vast majority of his games. 45 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:40,000 Notwithstanding his proclivity for hard work, he was strangely lacking in enthusiasm, and 46 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:46,120 possessed no more sociability than an ancient tombstone. Mind, I do not profess 47 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:52,000 to have any firsthand knowledge as to the sociability of a tombstone. My head 48 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:55,479 never rested within the shadow of one. It may be that their communion is 49 00:03:55,520 --> 00:04:00,159 confined solely to the realm of departed spirits, but as far as the human 50 00:04:00,199 --> 00:04:05,240 eye can see, they are extremely unsociable objects. And so was Silent. 51 00:04:06,159 --> 00:04:12,400 I well remember the veil of gloom which accompanied his advent into our spring training 52 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:16,040 camp. He came wandering out upon the field like a lost sheep, trailing 53 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,439 a big black bat. The most dismal looking rookie I ever laid eyes upon. 54 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:26,959 His face was a masterpiece of dark despair, sketched in deep, weary 55 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,839 lines, ill fitted to carry a smile. Shrouded in sackcloth, he could 56 00:04:30,879 --> 00:04:35,959 have done justice to the role of chief mourner at anybody's funeral. The Chief 57 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:42,480 had been busy all morning looking over a number of promising young pitchers whose efforts 58 00:04:42,519 --> 00:04:46,319 would have ruined the disposition of any trainer. We'd been hanging their offerings all 59 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,279 over the park. Not one of them had enough stuff to last in a 60 00:04:50,319 --> 00:04:56,079 triple A league. The Chief's ire had been mounting accordingly, and the sight 61 00:04:56,199 --> 00:05:01,000 of Silent gazing dismally on had no soothing effect on his temper. Say Smith, 62 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:04,600 He growled, You're supposed to be a pitcher, not a monument. 63 00:05:04,759 --> 00:05:09,959 Snap out of it. Let's see your stuff. Silence produced a ball from 64 00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:13,120 his hip pocket and nursed it. Sadly. For a moment or two, 65 00:05:13,519 --> 00:05:16,319 I thought he was going to cry. Instead, he answered the Chief in 66 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,279 a very meek and tired voice. Yet, yes, sir, mister Morkan, 67 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:26,040 some of us may have grinned in secret, but no one laughed outright. 68 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,800 We knew the Chief too well. He was fairly boiling inwardly, and 69 00:05:30,879 --> 00:05:34,600 the lid was due to pop at any moment. Silence, however, paid 70 00:05:34,639 --> 00:05:40,720 absolutely no attention to him. After uttering those surprising words, he ignored the 71 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,800 Chief completely. Slowly, he made his way out onto the vacant mound and 72 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:49,800 started a slow wind up. The Chief swore that this latest edition must have 73 00:05:49,879 --> 00:05:55,040 served a term on the box of a funeral cab. Slow motioned or not, 74 00:05:55,439 --> 00:05:59,879 the lad was uncommonly graceful for a South Paul that we could use. 75 00:06:00,399 --> 00:06:02,519 But what he did to the ball. No one ever knew. The thing 76 00:06:02,639 --> 00:06:06,720 he threw with that left arm of his was the biggest puzzle I ever stood 77 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:12,639 up against. As if encased in gobs of gloom, the ball came floating 78 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:15,920 up to the plate and dropped dejectedly into the catcher's mit. It was more 79 00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:20,120 like a sigh than any soundless thing I can think of. It eluded our 80 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:25,439 bats like a soaring phantom, and had us doubled in knots and our efforts 81 00:06:25,439 --> 00:06:30,160 to deal it a solid blow. Within fifteen minutes, the chief knew that 82 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,000 he had a marvel in toe. I could see him melt as he watched 83 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:38,319 the lad's solemn performance, and his face began to beam. All right, 84 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:42,000 buddy, he sang out genially. But what do you call it? This 85 00:06:42,079 --> 00:06:46,000 time? Silent made no answer. At least he did not speak. He 86 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:50,439 merely raised his shoulders and sighed a long, deep sigh. That settled it. 87 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:56,800 The sigeball, someone suggested, and the sieball it was. Henceforth, 88 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,279 the boy could likewise hit. Not that he ever set the league on fire 89 00:07:01,319 --> 00:07:05,480 as a slugger, but he revealed a deadly punch with his big black bat, 90 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:11,560 which made him a prince among pinch hitters. This uncanny ability of his 91 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,079 and a pinch was first demonstrated in our opening game of the season. Up 92 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:19,920 until the eighth inning, his batting performance had naturally classed him as another weak 93 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:25,279 hitting pitcher. He had struck out on two occasions and had raised a puny 94 00:07:25,319 --> 00:07:29,480 fly in a third attempt. The fourth time he stepped into the box, 95 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,839 however, the winning run was resting on third, and he brought it in 96 00:07:32,879 --> 00:07:36,879 with a pretty single. How he did it was as much of a mystery 97 00:07:36,879 --> 00:07:42,720 as his syeball. His woeful stance at the plate certainly would never have labeled 98 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:46,120 him a batter of any quality. The pitcher he presented as he clung to 99 00:07:46,199 --> 00:07:51,120 his big black bat was one of utter hopelessness and might have been captioned the 100 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:57,639 end. Yet in a pinch he could deliver. We simply had to accept. 101 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,879 Silent as he was, there was no change him. His actions were 102 00:08:01,079 --> 00:08:07,399 entirely too unexpected and unnatural to be fathomed. He could strike a batter out 103 00:08:07,519 --> 00:08:11,680 and look painfully unhappy over the deed. He could win a game with a 104 00:08:11,759 --> 00:08:16,439 timely drive and go into mourning. His normal atmosphere was gloom deep and mysterious, 105 00:08:16,639 --> 00:08:22,120 and it never varied. With our first swing around the circuit. The 106 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,360 fame of Silent Smith began to spread. That left arm of his slow balled 107 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:31,839 its way into the hearts of thousands of fans along the coast. The wild 108 00:08:31,959 --> 00:08:35,679 enthusiasm with which his appearance in the box was greeted amounted to a mania, 109 00:08:35,879 --> 00:08:41,159 and his side ball became the topic of household discussions. There could be no 110 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:46,000 doubt as to his popularity. He was the biggest drawing card in baseball anywhere 111 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:50,240 at the time. It may have been the sad appeal of his miserable existence 112 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:54,879 which intrigued. It may have been the veil of mystery shrouding his character which 113 00:08:54,919 --> 00:09:01,919 fascinated. But win or lose, he was idolized. Behind his spectacular hurling. 114 00:09:01,279 --> 00:09:05,240 We climbed to heights we had never known before. The completion of three 115 00:09:05,279 --> 00:09:09,720 fourths of our schedule found us treading closely on the heels of the flying Leafs, 116 00:09:11,039 --> 00:09:15,679 who had been perched proudly at the top all season. Small wonder that 117 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:20,039 the town went baseball mad for the first time in our history. We had 118 00:09:20,159 --> 00:09:24,919 pennant visions. Then came the setback, and our visions went to glimmering. 119 00:09:26,519 --> 00:09:31,120 Silent Smith was drafted. With the spreading of the news, a howl of 120 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:35,000 disapproval went up from along the coast. From three states came the same cry, 121 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:39,759 crooked baseball, and the very popularity of this sport itself was threatened. 122 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:46,039 Outside efforts were made to have Silent recalled, but the trade had been consummated. 123 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:50,279 Our ace was lost. With the passing of Silent, the Bears fell 124 00:09:50,399 --> 00:09:56,000 upon evil days. We developed a losing streak which threatened to force us out 125 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:00,639 of the running. Even the despised Bisons made a clean swee of a four 126 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:05,879 game series, and a pall of gloom spread o'er the camp. Both the 127 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,240 press and the paying public added to our misery. Only a flash, the 128 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:15,679 Bears have hit their stride. That was the consensus. Wherever fans collected the 129 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,600 thing began to peeve the Chief, and in an effort to redeem the club, 130 00:10:18,759 --> 00:10:24,240 he went out into the sticks and brought back Andy Gregg. No doubt 131 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:28,080 you've heard of Andy Gregg. He was known as the gamest man in baseball. 132 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:31,320 But when the Chief pulled him out of nowhere, he was just a 133 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,320 big, green, awkward, hitless wonder. He couldn't bat, and his 134 00:10:35,399 --> 00:10:39,720 fielding was worse. He had just two outstanding accomplishments. He could pitch and 135 00:10:39,799 --> 00:10:45,159 he could talk. It was hard to tell in which he excelled. Regardless 136 00:10:45,159 --> 00:10:48,559 of his ability, he labored under difficulties from the very first. A man 137 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:54,240 of lesser carriage would have wilted under the strain whenever he hove in sight is 138 00:10:54,279 --> 00:10:58,000 the pitcher for the day? An unreasonable chorus of booze greeted him, followed 139 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:03,559 by the sing song for Silent Smith. Not that he was unpopular, His 140 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,720 spirit was really admired. It was the public's method of voicing its outraged feelings 141 00:11:07,759 --> 00:11:13,440 over the loss of an idol. They resented the release of silent and called 142 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:18,120 for him as only a rabid baseball mob can call. The management was their 143 00:11:18,159 --> 00:11:22,879 target. Andy was only the goat. The lad simply laughed and went on 144 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:28,440 pitching. But behind his fine indifference there lurked the ambition to stifle that cry 145 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:33,159 for silent Smith. Secretly, he accepted it as a reflection on his own 146 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:37,440 ability, and fought courageously to change the tune. He fairly talked the team 147 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,399 out of its woeful slump and hurled it back to its place in the sun. 148 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:46,360 When the Leafs again invaded our territory for a final series of three, 149 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:52,279 we stood within half game of being deadlocked for first place. It was the 150 00:11:52,399 --> 00:11:54,799 end of our playing schedule, and things did not look as rosy as might 151 00:11:54,840 --> 00:12:01,240 be supposed. Our pitching staff had cracked Talkative and he was the only dependable 152 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:05,840 hurler we had left after a grueling month of struggle to maintain our position as 153 00:12:05,919 --> 00:12:09,440 runner up. But Andy was in splendid form. He could still chatter away 154 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,759 like an eight day clock, and that was the sign to him. Was 155 00:12:13,799 --> 00:12:18,559 given the mound in the first of that deciding series, and he won. 156 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:24,000 Four pitchers were hammered unmercifully in the second, and we lost again. We 157 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:28,080 were trailing by a narrow margin. But who was there to hold the enemy 158 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:33,440 in check? Husky Harris was down with tonsillitis, Lefty Lefferts had a broken 159 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,120 thumb. Curley Weinert's arm was sore from too much use. As for the 160 00:12:37,159 --> 00:12:43,120 rest, but what's the use In that hour of need? We were all 161 00:12:43,159 --> 00:12:46,759 wishing for an iron arm, the arm of silent smith. Even the Chief 162 00:12:46,879 --> 00:12:52,639 had his former ace in mind. He as much as said so afterward at 163 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:54,480 the time. However, there was only one thing he could do, and 164 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:58,840 he did it. Talkative Andy was given the assignment. The lad was ready 165 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:03,639 advertise the fact with his ceaseless jabber. We got him going, Johnny, 166 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,120 he kept repeating to the chief winners, come in, the leaves are fallen. 167 00:13:07,279 --> 00:13:11,720 Just keep your eye on the tree. We were all gathered in the 168 00:13:11,799 --> 00:13:16,879 dugout awaiting the call of the gong, that peculiar hush which seizes a crowd 169 00:13:16,919 --> 00:13:20,639 immediately before playing time had already descended. Out on the sun swept field, 170 00:13:20,799 --> 00:13:24,840 a number of white wings were putting the finishing touches on the sparkling diamond. 171 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:31,320 Behind the plate stood one armed Jimmy Flynn, wielding a megaphone. His booming 172 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:37,080 voice could be heard above the buzzing silence crying the batteries. Jimmy got no 173 00:13:37,159 --> 00:13:41,120 further in his announcement than the name of Gregg when a spontaneous roar rolled out 174 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:46,480 of the stand and completely submerged the rest. It was the howl of the 175 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:52,399 pack for its idol unsportsmanlike. Yes, but Andy only chuckled. Can you 176 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,919 beat it, Johnny? He chirped, They'd rather have them morgue out there 177 00:13:54,919 --> 00:13:58,399 than a live one. We'll bury that bird right now. Come on, 178 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:03,559 you cub, watch my smoke. And he trotted out onto the field amid 179 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:07,559 a shower of booze. And he had plenty of smoke and displayed it in 180 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:13,320 his own awkward style. All through the inning that call for silent Smith went 181 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:18,120 on with varying crescendos, But the nerve racking Din had as much effect on 182 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:22,600 the spirit of Andy as watter does on the back of a duck. He 183 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:28,440 worked along methodically and effectively, setting the enemy down on exactly six pitched balls. 184 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,519 Small wonder that the lad was beaming when he climbed down into the pit 185 00:14:31,759 --> 00:14:37,240 after the last out had been called. He knew he was right, and 186 00:14:37,559 --> 00:14:41,000 he stayed right for seven innings. He went on talking and pitching, waxing 187 00:14:41,039 --> 00:14:46,720 more loquacious as the game progressed. There was no reason for acting otherwise. 188 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:50,679 His smoke ball was working nicely. It went whizzing past their bats with monotonous 189 00:14:50,679 --> 00:14:56,480 regularity. They couldn't even see it. Two hits were all he allowed along 190 00:14:56,519 --> 00:15:01,799 that entire stretch. Apparently, the it meant nothing to the mob. They 191 00:15:01,799 --> 00:15:07,240 were entirely engrossed in their favorite pastime. They seemed to take a fiendish delight 192 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:11,720 in heckling the club individually and collectively for the release of a star. If 193 00:15:11,759 --> 00:15:16,240 we won, we were simply playing in luck. If we lost, well, 194 00:15:16,279 --> 00:15:20,120 we deserved to. They told us so in as many words, and 195 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:24,559 they howled for silent Smith. Andy still held his temper. His control was 196 00:15:24,639 --> 00:15:30,440 marvelous. He showed no signs of wavering under the strain. As he came 197 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,639 trailing into the dugout for our turnip bat in the eighth he was chattering away 198 00:15:33,679 --> 00:15:39,799 like a magpie. I told you we'd bury that melancholy bird. He told 199 00:15:39,799 --> 00:15:41,879 the Chief. He's got one foot in the grave right now, and when 200 00:15:41,919 --> 00:15:46,240 I'm done, that bunch of fatheads up there will be thrown in the dirt. 201 00:15:46,559 --> 00:15:52,039 Twas ever, thus, Johnny the Chief's face was uncommonly somber as he 202 00:15:52,159 --> 00:15:56,440 listened to Andy's chatter. In his hand there fluttered the familiar blue of a 203 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:00,120 telegram. Without a word, he handed it over. Andy read the news, 204 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:06,240 and his countenance fell. Silent Smith was dead. That was the brake 205 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:10,919 which went against him. From that moment on, Andy's starr began to fade. 206 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:12,960 I'm sorry, I said what I did? He murmured, I was 207 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:18,320 only kidding. I didn't know about this. Johnny, of course not answered 208 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:21,720 the chief, perking up. Don't let it trouble you. Now, all 209 00:16:21,759 --> 00:16:23,799 you've got to think about is the winning of this ball game. Come on, 210 00:16:23,919 --> 00:16:30,080 now, let's go boys. But Andy was troubled. Nevertheless, his 211 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,600 helpful chatter ceased, and that was the sign. When we again took the 212 00:16:33,679 --> 00:16:37,679 field after a fruitless inning, it was quite evident that he was not himself. 213 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:44,399 Even the returned call for Silent Smith seemed to irritate. He dug into 214 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:48,639 the dirt with his spiked shoes. He pulled up blades of grass and started 215 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:52,080 chewing. He moistened his fingers against the sod. He did a number of 216 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:57,519 things which were not his wont but which strangely enough, had characterized the pitching 217 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:03,480 of Silent Smith from behind the plate. The umpire was calling for action, 218 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:08,160 so was the crowd, and Andy finally got going. That final inning was 219 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:12,480 a nightmare. Andy walked the first man up, and a low rumble of 220 00:17:12,519 --> 00:17:18,440 dismay swept to the field. The next ball he grooved, and Sammy Dawes 221 00:17:18,559 --> 00:17:22,759 dropped it over second for a pretty single. The rumble spread to a roar. 222 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:27,279 Andy spat savagely into his glove and glared up at the stand. That 223 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:34,079 persistent cry for silent Smith had finally penetrated. The lad was riled. The 224 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:40,640 crowd saw his action an uncorked a veritable flood of jeers, as if the 225 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:45,359 pennant wouldn't have been clinched ere this had silent been retained. Now, look 226 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:49,000 what's happening? Maybe they were right? Who knows. In a rage, 227 00:17:49,079 --> 00:17:53,720 Andy sped another over the plate, only to see it turned into a tantalizing 228 00:17:53,839 --> 00:17:59,119 bunt. In his clumsy effort to field the ball, he stumbled and fell. 229 00:17:59,559 --> 00:18:03,839 The ball rolled clear. I pounced upon it from my position at third 230 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,119 and kept the Leafs from scoring. But the bases were full and no one 231 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:12,279 out, and Andy our only hope. By this time, some eight thousand 232 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:18,079 lusty throats were raising the very Yes, indeed, they were going to that 233 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:22,039 extremity in their frenzied howl to take him out, and their reasonless demand for 234 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:27,279 silent Smith. Bedlam had broken loose. I handed the ball to Andy and 235 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:32,759 begged him to take his time. It isn't fair, ken, he exploded, 236 00:18:32,799 --> 00:18:36,359 wrathfully. What had I to do with the loss? Of Silent I 237 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:41,519 ask you. I assured him that every member of that howling mob belonged in 238 00:18:41,559 --> 00:18:45,240 a padded cell, and added a word or two about our pennant chances. 239 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,599 The latter had a sobering effect. Andy took a time, saving hitch in 240 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:53,440 his belt and seemed to settle down. But the Leafs were not to be 241 00:18:53,519 --> 00:19:00,680 denied. They pounded out two successive singles and scored as many runs. The 242 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,440 stand was fairly rocking, with the din of stamping feet and shouting voices. 243 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:08,440 Above it all could be heard the name of Silent Smith. But Andy no 244 00:19:08,519 --> 00:19:14,839 longer heeded. His rage had apparently subsided. He stood quietly in the center 245 00:19:14,839 --> 00:19:18,359 of the diamond and watched Big Jess Winners carry his three ninety bat to the 246 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:22,920 plate. Here was the biggest batting menace in the league, and it required 247 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:27,440 a world of courage to face it. For a moment, Andy never moved, 248 00:19:27,799 --> 00:19:33,519 and then he did a characteristic thing. He started talking. He told 249 00:19:33,599 --> 00:19:36,880 Big Jess to go get a plank. To me, it sounded as if 250 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:40,680 the bantering tone were forced, but my heart warmed at the sight of the 251 00:19:40,759 --> 00:19:45,079 lad fighting to regain his stride. At a boy shouted Tommy Leach from second, 252 00:19:45,519 --> 00:19:49,640 make him hit it, Andy, We're all out here. Andy made 253 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:53,519 no response, and we knew that his confidence was not at par. He 254 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:59,319 took one glance at the runner on third and suddenly let go with blinding speed. 255 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,640 Jest swung with all his power, and the ball snapped back at Andy 256 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,240 like a rocket. Instinctively, Andy raised his arms, but the ball sped 257 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:11,640 through his guard and landed with a sickening thud. The lad crumpled up like 258 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:17,119 a rag. The clamor of the crowd was instantly choked as they came to 259 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:21,279 their feet in a startled wave and stood staring at the motionless form in the 260 00:20:21,319 --> 00:20:25,799 center of the diamond. I thought the boy was dead. His face was 261 00:20:25,839 --> 00:20:30,599 pasty and his lips bloodless. Apparently his heart had ceased to beat. His 262 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,720 eyes were open and staring with that fixed expression commonly associated with sudden death. 263 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:41,480 For ten minutes we worked over his lifeless form. The only perceptible sign of 264 00:20:41,519 --> 00:20:45,839 animation was a faint fluttering of the pulse in his wrist, which occurred at 265 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:48,839 intervals of about a minute. The condition was strange enough to make even the 266 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:55,200 club physician look puzzled. Then, with surprising force. Andy's heart began to 267 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:59,200 pound along like a trip hammer. A patch of color spread in his pallid 268 00:20:59,279 --> 00:21:03,920 cheeks. Another minute and his eyelids fluttered weakly. His broad chest heaved, 269 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:10,400 and he sighed with glassy eyes. He stared at the anxious group which circled 270 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:14,559 him. His brow was furrowed, as if he were unable to comprehend the 271 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:18,319 meaning of it all. He attempted to climb to his feet, but got 272 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:22,039 no further than his knees. Two of the boys caught him by the arms 273 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:25,279 and started to lead him to the clubhouse. He would not have it. 274 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:30,119 He shipped them off and swayed uncertainly into the pitcher's box. A gasp of 275 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:34,240 astonishment went up from the crowd. No one had ever dreamed that he could 276 00:21:34,279 --> 00:21:38,599 resume play. It was unbelievable. They stared at him in silent all, 277 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:44,559 a mute tribute to the sheer grit of the man, and then a roar 278 00:21:44,599 --> 00:21:49,359 of admiration proclaimed a new idol. Silent Smith was dead, Sure your fit 279 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:53,920 buddy, inquired the anxious chief. For a moment, there was no answer. 280 00:21:55,400 --> 00:22:00,079 Andy turned a haggard face and gazed at the chief with strangely sad eyes. 281 00:22:00,599 --> 00:22:03,720 He looked as if all the troubles of the world were resting on his 282 00:22:03,759 --> 00:22:10,000 shoulders. Then Andy's all right. The words sounded queerly, detached. The 283 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:14,799 voice was toneless. The chief shook his head and slowly left the field. 284 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:18,440 He was going to take a chance, he had to. He sent two 285 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:21,440 of the boys out to the bullpen to warm up, however, in case 286 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:26,119 Andy couldn't make the grade. The crowd settled down in the stand and started 287 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:30,680 buzzing like so many bees. Nothing like it had ever been seen. A 288 00:22:30,759 --> 00:22:33,519 blow like that would have crippled the spirit of most men. But there was 289 00:22:33,559 --> 00:22:38,599 Andy willing to go on. Was he able? All eyes were glued on 290 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:41,599 the lad as he started digging a hole with his spikes in front of the 291 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:47,799 rubber. He ignored everything else completely. That the team was on the small 292 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:51,599 end of a three to nothing score, and that a runner was waiting on 293 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:56,279 every sack, just itching to swell the lead was of no importance. He 294 00:22:56,480 --> 00:23:00,000 scraped, and he kicked at the dirt with a slow, measured effort, 295 00:23:00,039 --> 00:23:03,160 as if the digging of holes was an art, All this with hanging head 296 00:23:03,319 --> 00:23:07,640 and downcast eyes. At last, the hall was perfect, and he picked 297 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,799 up his glove. To me, it looked as if he were stolen a 298 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:15,279 daze. He appeared to be uncertain of every movement, as if he were 299 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:19,759 unable to decide just what to do next. All right, Andy, I 300 00:23:19,799 --> 00:23:25,640 inquired, doubtfully, handing him the ball. He made no response. He 301 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:30,559 ignored my query as completely as he had everything else. Turning his neck, 302 00:23:30,759 --> 00:23:34,200 he started a slow, graceful wind up, every motion of which was perfectly 303 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:40,400 familiar. Deliberately methodically, he threw five balls over the plate, and then 304 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:42,640 waited for the batter to take his stand, and he did not utter a 305 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:48,319 sound. I shall not attempt to explain it. The facts are all I 306 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:52,519 can deal with. And the fact in this instance was that Andy threw those 307 00:23:52,559 --> 00:23:56,279 five balls with his left arm, not in a ridiculously awkward manner, but 308 00:23:56,359 --> 00:24:02,519 with perfect ease. Furthermore, his style was identical with that of Silent Smith, 309 00:24:02,839 --> 00:24:07,720 and Silent Smith was dead. But this was no time for theorizing. 310 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:11,480 The batter was set, the umpire was waiting. We fell into position, 311 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:18,680 and play was resumed. Andy's amazing change of pace certainly worked havoc with the 312 00:24:18,799 --> 00:24:22,039 enemy bats. Lanky Andrews stood up to the plate like a statue, and 313 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:29,039 watched three perfectly good strikes float across his bat never left his shoulder. Chubby 314 00:24:29,079 --> 00:24:32,400 Wilson did a little better. He at least swung. In fact, he 315 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:36,839 swung three times, and then followed his lanky teammate back to the pit for 316 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:41,000 the second out. Pinch hitter Collins nipped the ball for a puny fly, 317 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,039 which Jordan our catcher smothered in his big mit, stranding all three of the 318 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:49,240 runners who jammed the bags. And the ball that did it was the sideball. 319 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:55,519 The wonder of the thing held the crowd spellbound. They watched Andy's weird 320 00:24:55,559 --> 00:25:00,119 performance with gaping astonishment. Had the lad changed his style, could he have 321 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:06,359 perfected that famous delivery in secret practice? Had he been holding out for the 322 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:11,599 past few weeks, thinking to spring a surprise At the psychological moment, Questions 323 00:25:11,599 --> 00:25:15,759 were flying fast, answers were scarce. Had they known of the fate of 324 00:25:15,799 --> 00:25:21,359 Silent Smith, their thoughts might have taken a more gruesome channel. Had they 325 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:25,720 read that telegram from the East, they might have agreed that Silent was answering 326 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:29,640 their call at last. As it was, they could only stare and wonder. 327 00:25:30,759 --> 00:25:33,960 When we again trailed into the dugout we found the chief in earnest consultation 328 00:25:34,039 --> 00:25:38,799 with doctor Barrett, the club physician, the word was spread that andyby left 329 00:25:38,839 --> 00:25:44,759 alone, and he was. He came shuffling off the field with hanging head 330 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:48,240 and settled down into a listless attitude at one end of the bench. Doctor 331 00:25:48,279 --> 00:25:52,400 Barrett studied his drooping figure for a moment or two and finally shook his head. 332 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:56,960 So did we all if the dead can come back to any form. 333 00:25:56,200 --> 00:26:02,039 Silent Smith was sitting there in his accustomed place, radiating as much gloom as 334 00:26:02,079 --> 00:26:06,920 he ever had. But the most unnatural twist of the whole affair was still 335 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:11,839 in the making. Puggy Airs lined a pretty single into right to start our 336 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:15,119 half of the ninth, and the crowd started pulling for us. At last, 337 00:26:15,079 --> 00:26:18,880 Tommy Leach pushed Puggy around with a well placed bunt and beat out the 338 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:23,119 throat of first. Both of them advanced a bag. When Marty mc gowan 339 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:27,720 walked and the basses were full. All we needed now was someone with a 340 00:26:27,839 --> 00:26:32,920 punch, someone who could uncork a drive that would sweep the bags and tie 341 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:37,200 the count at three all Andy was the next man up, and everybody was 342 00:26:37,279 --> 00:26:40,720 looking for a pinch hitter. With victory at stake, it would not do 343 00:26:40,880 --> 00:26:44,279 to take a chance on the hitless wonder, but the chief must have been 344 00:26:44,319 --> 00:26:47,839 playing a hunch. He never said a word when Andy climbed out of the 345 00:26:47,839 --> 00:26:52,200 pit and surveyed the bat rack with melancholy eyes. Mine was the only black 346 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:57,000 stick in the lot, and Andy picked it up amid a silence as dead 347 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,839 as a graveyard. He dragged the bat up to the plate. Every movement 348 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:06,640 he made was followed by the crowd with straining eyes and bated breath. The 349 00:27:06,759 --> 00:27:11,119 moment was fraught with something beyond their knowledge, and the mystery of the thing 350 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:15,880 held them fascinated. A newspaper photographer took up his stand along the foul line 351 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:21,400 and focused his camera on Andy as he entered the box. If Andy saw 352 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:23,839 him, he made no sign. His eyes were glued to the ground. 353 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:29,480 Dolefully, he sidled around to the left of the plate, grasped his bat 354 00:27:29,519 --> 00:27:33,880 with a weary effort, and stood waiting. Blondie vanced. The opposing pitcher 355 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:38,119 was visibly shaken, and he had always been a right handed batter, and 356 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:42,599 to see him fall into that woeful left handed stance with a big black bat 357 00:27:44,039 --> 00:27:48,400 was like looking at a ghost. For a moment, Blondie stared and Andy 358 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:52,200 gazed sadly back. The umpire brought Blondie back to earth, and he finally 359 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:56,599 started his windup. That was his last pitching effort of the season. The 360 00:27:56,680 --> 00:28:02,240 ball went sailing toward the plate with absolutely nothing on it. Andy connected with 361 00:28:02,279 --> 00:28:07,720 a resounding crash, and three runs came trailing in. The score was tied. 362 00:28:07,799 --> 00:28:11,960 While Andy, with the winning run, was rounding third. He staggered 363 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:15,279 the distance between third and home. His feet were dragging as if loaded with 364 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:19,880 lead. He managed to make the plate with the deciding tally and then collapsed 365 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:26,039 like an empty sack. It was fully half an hour before Andy recovered and 366 00:28:26,079 --> 00:28:30,119 started jabbering away like the lad we knew. The doctor took him in hand, 367 00:28:30,519 --> 00:28:33,759 and Andy was puzzled over the discovery that he himself had finished the game. 368 00:28:34,279 --> 00:28:40,000 His last recollection was that of being hit by a batted ball. I 369 00:28:40,079 --> 00:28:44,200 might add that a picture of Andy starting the ball on that home run journey 370 00:28:44,240 --> 00:28:48,200 appeared in the Daily Mail issued on September eleventh, nineteen twelve, and created 371 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:55,119 much discussion throughout the country. While somewhat blurry, Andy's face is sufficiently clear 372 00:28:55,200 --> 00:29:00,240 to be identified. Covering his face like a veil is a misty something which 373 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:07,039 closely resembles the melancholy features of Silent Smith. And Silent Smith was dead end 374 00:29:07,119 --> 00:29:10,000 of the ghost of Silent Smith.