The Kid: The Robert Anthony Series Book 1

By Robert Anthony Badalament

After losing his parents to an auto accident at the age of two, Robert Anthony is raised by his grandmother and her friend, Manuel, a former major league baseball player. It quickly becomes evident to Manuel that Robert has a special talent. Through a series of extraordinary events and with the help of the Baseball Gods, Robert is given his chance with the Detroit Tigers. However, is The Kid talented enough to become the youngest player in major league history at the age of fifteen?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888513040

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Foreword

Prologue

1: Tragedy

2: New Beginnings

3: Play Ball

4: The Mentor

5: Early Birds

6: The Tiger and His Cub

7: The Art of Bunting

8: To Catch a Thief

9: Dinner

10: Photo and Media Day

11: White Cover and Red Seams

12: The Kid's Preseason Debut

13: First Full Game

14: Spring Training Comes to an End

15: Opening Day

16: The Forty-first Game

17: All-Star Game

18: Reinforcements

19: Oh, What a Relief!

20: Streaking

21: A Rare Day Off

22: The Baseball Gods

23: The World Series Preview Show

24: The Dream

25: World Series Game 1

26: World Series Game 4

27: Almost There

28: World Series Game 7

29: The Day After

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Appendix 1: Detroit Tigers Batting Order

Appendix 2: Detroit Tigers Pitching/Utility

Appendix 3: Detroit Tigers Administrative and Coaching Staff

Appendix 4: Detroit Tigers Broadcast and Print Media

Appendix 5: St. Louis Cardinals Batting Order

Appendix 6: St. Louis Cardinals Pitchers

About the Author

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The Kid

The Robert Anthony Series Book 1

Robert Anthony Badalament

ISBN 979-8-88851-303-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88851-305-7 (Hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88851-304-0 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 Robert Anthony Badalament

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

To Providence, the love of my life.

Foreword

In my thirty-three years of broadcasting professional baseball, I have encountered many different types of fans—from the casual fan who takes a peek at the standings every few days to the analytical, numbers-centric fan who sees the game through a quantitative lens to the fan that possesses a simple love of the game and its history.

The first time I met Robert Badalament, it was clear to me that he is not simply a casual fan of the game. Our first conversation provided a glimpse of his true love for the Detroit Tigers and its storied history.

For seventeen seasons, I had the honor of broadcasting Tigers baseball on television. I was given a front-row seat to describe the feats of future Hall of Fame talents like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. I grew up a Tigers fan and formed an undeniable affection for my hometown team. Spending countless summer nights at Tiger Stadium as a youth fed my love for the game. Robert shares this bond. He has had a deep understanding of the Tigers' rich tradition, and it serves as a meaningful part of his life and his writing. He is a genuine baseball fan who understands the impact the game has had on generations of Detroiters.

This book represents his personal baseball fantasy—one that is undoubtedly shared by countless fans worldwide. There is an innocence to this story—an innocence that symbolizes an era when professional baseball was played purely for the love of the game. When uniforms were made of wool and every game was a day game.

Baseball has always possessed a mystical quality. Its history is littered with larger-than-life characters that accomplished incredible feats. Many of these real-life characters wore the Tigers uniform. Robert has done a masterful job of paying homage to Tigers greats of the past, intertwining them into this great fantasy story. From Ty Cobb to Hank Greenberg to Mickey Cochrane, the Tigers of yesteryear play an important role in guiding The Kid through his incredible baseball odyssey.

Readers of all ages will be entertained by The Kid's unlikely journey, overcoming early obstacles to living the fantasy life of major league stardom. It is a story that reminds us of the reasons that we love this great game. It's a story that reminds us that there is a bit of the kid in all of us.

—Mario Impemba

Detroit Tigers Television Broadcaster (2002–2018)

Prologue

Joe Nuxhall made his major league pitching debut in 1944 when there was a player shortage because of World War II. He entered the game in the ninth inning with the Cincinnati Reds losing, 13–0. He retired two batters but surrendered five earned runs before he was relieved. The Reds sent him to the minor leagues. It would be eight more years before he pitched again in the major leagues in 1952. His major league career was a good one, over sixteen years. He had a 135–117 record and a 3.90 ERA. He was an all-star in 1955 and 1956. Later, he became the Cincinnati Reds' broadcast announcer.

Joe Nuxhall's major league pitching debut is special because he is the youngest player in major league history at 15 years and 316 days old. Joe Nuxhall's record is about to be broken by the Kid.

1

Tragedy

Thirteen years ago, on a dark, windy, overcast evening, Jason and Karen Anthony were driving to their home in Galveston, Texas. In the back seat, fast asleep in his car seat, was their two-year-old son. It abruptly started to rain; and, as sometimes happens in the rainy season, within a couple minutes, it became a torrential downpour.

You better get off the road, Jason, said Karen.

Yeah, I can't see anything, Jason answered.

Out of nowhere, Jason and Karen saw a car from across the median that had flipped over and was headed toward them. Karen screamed! Crash! Silence.

When the police and EMS arrived, Jason and Karen were pronounced dead. The bodies had to be pried from the mangled car. One of the officers heard a whimpering from the back seat and shouted, Hey, look! The kid is alive!

Let's get him to the hospital to make sure he is okay, said another officer.

*****

Emma Gonzalez was asleep when she was awoken by the phone ringing.

Hello? asked the caller.

Yes? she answered.

This is Officer Kumar. Is your daughter Karen Anthony?

Yes, she is, Officer. Is there anything wrong? she responded in a trembling voice.

I have some bad news to tell you. Your daughter, Karen, and her husband, Jason, have died tonight in an auto accident, the officer said.

Emma started to cry.

I'm so sorry for your loss, the officer told her. A few moments later, Officer Kumar continued, There is some good news. Your grandson, Robert, survived the accident. Someone up there was looking over him. Not a scratch on him. Are you his only living relative?

Yes. Yes, I am, she answered, still stunned.

Emma turned to her mate, Manuel Garcia, and told him the sad news. Manuel quickly got on his computer and announced, I have purchased plane tickets from San Juan International Airport to the Galveston. By tomorrow, we will have Robert.

And we can bury my daughter and son-in-law, Emma said and started to cry again.

*****

Manuel Garcia was once a prized prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. He made the major league team and appeared to have a bright future until he sustained a career-ending injury. He never got that big payday but did make enough money to open a small café in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following his injury.

Emma was a big baseball fan, which was her initial attraction to Manuel. However, it didn't take long for her to realize that he was also a wonderful man, and they fell in love. They shared this love with Robert. For Manuel, Robert was like the grandchild he never had.

Manuel started to train Robert almost immediately. After work, Manuel would take Robert to the sandlot and together would play catch, perform fielding drills and have batting practice.

Emma, he boastfully proclaimed, Our grandson really loves baseball. He is so easy to coach up because he wants to excel. I am giving him a big head start by teaching him the proper fundamentals up front so he doesn't have to break bad habits later.

Manuel added, He's also agile and fast. Oh my, is he fast! You can't teach speed. And, he bats left handed, which is a big advantage.

Emma, Manuel finished enthusiastically, I believe that Robert is very gifted. He has great potential!

Emma smiled and said, You forgot to mention he is a good boy.

Yes, Emma, he answered, Robert is an incredibly good boy. I see a lot of you in him. Perhaps that is why I love him so much.

*****

As soon as Robert could play on a team, he did. He was always the youngest player on the team by far. He rapidly progressed through the amateur leagues. Finally, by age fourteen, he started playing for the Cangrejeros of Santurce in the Roberto Clemente Baseball League. One of the happiest days of Emma's life was when she saw Robert play for Santurce. However, Emma knew that her time was short as she had severe congestive heart failure.

As Emma's time came near, she asked, Manuel, please promise me you will help Robert play for a major league team. I know he has the talent.

Manuel responded, Fate denied me my baseball career. Perhaps destiny will be smile on Robert. Emma, I promise to do my best.

A few days later, Emma's condition rapidly declined. Manuel and Robert were at Emma's side when she passed.

Manuel, remember your promise. I love you both were her last words.

Emma's death intensified Manuel's resolve. It was quite evident to Manuel that, despite his age, Robert was blossoming into a genuine major leaguer.

On Robert's fifteenth birthday, Manuel announced that he has sold his café, and that they would be moving to Florida.

Why, Papa Manuel? Robert queried.

Because within roughly a two hundred-mile radius, the fifteen major league teams that make up the grapefruit league will be having spring training. You're going to be on one of those teams, he stated.

Any idea which team? Robert asked.

We will start with the Detroit Tigers, Manuel responded.

Why the Tigers? Robert inquired.

Because last year, they had the worst record in baseball, Manuel responded.

2

New Beginnings

Like the rising of the phoenix, spring training is a time for renewal. The previous season is forgotten, and every player starts anew with a clean slate. Each team is tied for first place with an equal record of no wins and no losses. The sunny days and fresh air of spring rejuvenates everyone involved with baseball.

Chester Bridges, or CB as his close friends called him, was the manager of the Detroit Tigers. He was a baseball lifer. He played for seven years in the minors before clawing his way up to the major leagues as a backup catcher. After his relatively undistinguished playing career ended, his love for the game continued.

Starting at the bottom of the coaching ladder in the minor leagues, he again worked his way back up to the majors, first as an assistant coach and later as head coach. Although he was a hard-nosed, no-nonsense coach, the players respected him because they could see that though his rough exterior, he was a true baseball man that had the team's best interests at heart.

CB had been summoned to the office of the owner of the Tigers. As he walked to his office, he thought about his boss. CB respected Peter Vitale Jr., who was also a baseball lifer but in a very different way than CB.

Peter's father had purchased the Tigers but had treated it as a hobby. However, for his son, it was his passion. For as long as Peter could remember, he was at his dad's side and involved in all baseball matters pertaining to the Tigers. He practically grew up at the ballpark. Upon his father's death, Peter inherited the Tigers. After assuming ownership, Peter also served as general manager; his baseball acumen was superior. Peter hired CB, and together the Detroit Tigers' became a perennial