...well close enough...
April 14, 2064
Madison Wolves third baseman Leo Hollenbeck has made the most of an unexpected opportunity. Inserted into the starting lineup last week as an injury replacement, the 2057 second-round pick wasted no time showing he belonged in the big leagues. In his first seven days, Hollenbeck racked up 13 hits in 26 at-bats, launched 3 home runs, and crossed the plate 5 times—a performance strong enough to earn him the BBA FL Player of the Week Award.
Hollenbeck, a 30-year-old Arkansas native, was quick to downplay his personal success:
“I just wanted to do my job and keep things simple—see the ball, hit the ball. The guys in this clubhouse made me feel right at home, and that took a lot of the pressure off. It’s been a dream just to get this chance, and I’m trying to enjoy every second of it.”
Wolves GM Mike Simon praised the third baseman’s readiness.
“Leo’s been grinding for years in our system, and this week was proof of what hard work and patience can bring. When the call came, he didn’t just fill in—he made an impact. That’s the kind of player we want in this organization.”
And of course, Gertie, never shy about celebrating her Wolves, had her own take:
“That boy was hotter than a skillet in July, wasn’t he? You give me a lineup full of Leos, and I’ll give you a pennant parade down Main Street. Don’t tell him he was just a replacement—he looked like a headline act to me.”
For now, Hollenbeck’s bat has given the Wolves a timely boost, and with his confidence growing, Madison fans may be seeing a lot more of him in the weeks ahead.
