The '51 Rocks

By Matt Musson

The ’51 Rocks is based on the true story of the Western Carolina League's 1951 Granite Falls Graniteers, the losingest team in baseball history. Ten year old batboy Bobby McRainey relates the day to day struggles of a losing ball club and confronts the moral challenges of whites only baseball in 1951. When Bobby finds out an unhittable ‘Cuban’ pitcher is really an American born black man, he struggles with the arbitrary nature and unfairness of segregation.

Through a long hot summer, the Graniteers sweat out a 14 – 96 season. New coaches, a name change (to the Granite Rocks) and even ‘Black Cat Night at Granite Falls Stadium' cannot turn things around. Then, at the end of a long and painful season, the Rocks sign five former Negro League players and integrate Southern baseball. And, Bobby learns that even a losing team can have immortal moments.

Publishers Weekly called the book ‘beguiling.' “There are some very pleasant moments (and perhaps even a Denzel Washington movie) in this novel ... based on the incredible true story of the worst team in Baseball History that became the first Southern team to break the color barrier."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matt Musson
• Release date: Apr 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458055835

Matt Musson

Matt Musson is the creator of the Jeep Muldoon series about a boy with the unusual ability to 'Find Things.' Jeep and his pals solve mysteries and have adventures, usually with a scientific orientation. But, ultimately, Jeep's stories are about friendship and fun!Matt has also written the acclaimed sports novel: The '51 Rocks - Batboy on the Worst Team Ever! The '51 Rocks is a fictional account of the true story of the 1951 Granite Falls Graniteers. The Graniteers were the losinest team in Baseball History. But, with 6 games left in the 1951 season - the Graniteers signed 5 Negro League players and became the first team to integrate Baseball in the Old South!Publishers Weekly called the book ‘beguiling.' “There are some very pleasant moments (and perhaps even a Denzel Washington movie) in this novel ... based on the incredible true story of the worst team in Baseball History that became the first Southern team to break the color barrier."Matt was born in Austin, TX and grew up in San Antonio. He earned two degrees at the University of Texas and moved east to work for Ross Perot as a Systems Analyst. He has developed systems for Planters Peanuts, LifeSavers Candies, Sara Lee, and Bank of America.Matt is currently in North Carolina developing banking software and working part-time for the Charlotte Bobcats. He has four incredible children: Skye, McClain, Granath, and Chandler. Matt collects vintage rodeo belt buckles and Indian jewelry when he is not prospecting for Carolina gold and emeralds.He is a contributing author to the non-fiction anthology Sports in the Carolinas: From Death Valley to Tobacco Road.

Book preview

The ’51 Rocks

Batboy on the Worst Team Ever!

by

Matt Musson

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Matt Musson on Smashwords

The ’51 Rocks

Batboy on the Worst Team Ever!

Based on the incredible true story of the losingest team in Baseball History and the first Southern ballclub to break the color barrier!

Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Matt Musson

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Prologue – A Long Forgotten Dream

When the heavy wooden door to Peggy Funderburk's Language Arts class opened unexpectedly, the background buzz of middle schoolers leaked its way out into the hall. But, the noise died abruptly as authority illuminated the classroom like a bright flash of Carolina sunshine. As Principal Tyler Browning crossed the threshold, slouching school children snapped to attention and transformed into dedicated academics intensely focused upon their lessons.

The more curious students darted their eyes to nibble furtive glances at their leader but most of the inmates avoided their principal's gaze as if it contained the stone turning power of Medusa.

Tyler Browning had a presence honed by two decades as a Marine Corp Drill Instructor. And, make no mistake; he could still summon the cold stare and black bead of a gunfighter, if the wrong student was caught in the wrong location, without a hall pass.

However, twenty years in the classroom had softened the principal. Small laugh lines now etched their way across Browning's milk chocolate skin. A distinguished gray mustache softened the harder angles of his face, while his large brown eyes twinkled on those increasingly frequent occasions when he smiled.

But, Browning was not smiling this morning. So, Ms. Funderburk deferred to her commander and surrendered her classroom without a word.

The Leader stepped up to a waiting podium and employed his dramatic baritone to address the children.

Principal Browning cleared his throat.

Students, he said with demanding firmness. "I have some unfortunate news. Mrs. Lydia Teague, who was scheduled to address you on ‘The History of Female Suffrage in the Catawba Valley' will not be joining us today."

The principal went on to explain, shortly after sun up this morning, her elderly Persian cat, Mr. Wiggles, was ferociously attacked by a vicious pair of mockingbirds. Following this unprovoked assault, Mr. Wiggles was rushed to the Granite Falls Veterinary Hospital where doctors believe, with luck, his ear may be reattached.

The children's eyes widened.

Regrettably, due to the trauma of this incident, Mrs. Teague is no shape to proceed with her lecture.

Principal Browning paused, allowing the assembled children to experience their grief and loss.

However, he continued with hope rising in his voice. Mr. Robert McRainey has graciously agreed to fill in at the last moment. In keeping with the significance of the 110th Anniversary of the founding of Granite Falls, Mr. McRainey has selected a special topic that I believe you will find every bit as fascinating as that enthralling history of those early suffragettes. Mr. McRainey is waiting in the hallway. So, without further ado, let us make welcome our substitute speaker with a generous round of applause.

Principal Browning clapped his hands together as he moved to the open door. The ovation swelled halfheartedly as the students joined in, accompanied by a more enthusiastic Ms. Funderburk.

The principal reached through the opening to shake hands with an elderly gentleman and usher him into the spotlight, as the students got their first glimpse of the replacement orator.

This newcomer wore a three piece brown suit with a gold watch chain and an initialed Fob hanging from his vest pocket. A starched white shirt, a dark tie and brown wingtip shoes completed a look that was simultaneously out-of-date and fashionable.

Mr. McRainey followed the principal to the front of the room and the class observed an elderly gentleman who was what most of the students would describe simply as an ‘old man'. He was bald in front with straw-like white hair pulled straight back in the rear, which made his age stained forehead seem larger and more rounded than normal. A pair of wire rimmed glasses rested on a prominent nose and a small mustache topped an undersized but mischievous mouth. His appearance suggested a prominent businessman and pillar in the community who probably retired a decade earlier to work on his memoirs and ‘putter'.

The slim applause died out as Mr. McRainey approached the podium.

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, the newcomer said with a strong thoughtful voice. My name is Robert McRainey and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today, even if it is under these unfortunate circumstances. I am sure that we all send our prayers and best wishes out to Mr. Wiggles in his hour of need.

He paused.

When Principal Browning telephoned me this morning and asked me to fill in for Mrs. Teague, he gave me full reign to choose any topic in keeping with the historic significance of our anniversary celebration. And, so, I have chosen to address this class on a topic near and dear to my own heart: ‘The History of Professional Baseball in Granite Falls, North Carolina'.

McRainey paused again and let his words sink through the skulls of his seventh grade audience. In the interim, he reached into his pants pocket and removed a weathered baseball from a bygone era. Like a pearl of great price, he placed the ball gently upon the podium and waited.

He did not have to wait long before eleven year old Andrew Starnes rose to take the bait.

But Sir, we don't have a professional baseball team in Granite Falls, said the bewildered seventh grader.

That's exactly correct young man, Mr. McRainey replied with a smile. "We do not now have a professional baseball team in our fair city."

McRainey picked up the old baseball and held it out to the class.

But, that has not always been the case, he explained.

Once upon a time, back before your parents were even born…

Back before watching television became America's national pastime…

Before basketball stole the hearts of the tar heel nation…

Granite Falls, North Carolina had its very own professional baseball team.

McRainey continued, Fifty-eight years ago, our Granite Falls squad competed in the hallowed Western Carolina League for one single season. And, during that season our boys rewrote baseball history, twice. And, that Granite Falls Team set a standard that may never again be equaled.

Without warning he flicked his wrist and flipped the baseball high into the air where the heirloom horsehide bounced off a stained ceiling tile. And, quicker than a chameleon's tongue, the gray haired lecturer reached out and snatched the tumbling sphere as it fell to earth.

The old man held the horsehide covered globe out to the class full of surprised faces, like an offering, and his voice raised in crescendo.

Our extraordinary group of hometown heroes amassed what was – without question - the worst record in the Annals of Professional Baseball!

Robert McRainey leaned forward and dropped the ball onto the podium. Then, he trapped it before it could bounce away.

He peered across the top of his wire rimmed spectacles.

They were officially called the 1951 Granite Falls Graniteers but, to the avid baseball fans of my youth, they were known simply as: The ‘51 Rocks.

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Chapter One: The Signs and Wonders of 1951

Even before the season started, we should have realized that something amazing was going to happen. I mean we were practically showering in signs and wonders. There were omens everywhere.

Like every other ten year old mountain boy, I grew up knowing all about omens. Why just by reading omens and studying moon phases, a fellow could find true love, improve his fortune, and even prognosticate the weather.