The Brewster

Nine Icon Takes Step Toward HOF

September 14, 2046: NASHVILLE – The numbers were not his best. Five runs in seven innings, six strike outs and a couple walks in seven innings. Still, this time Carlos Valle was awarded a victory as the Nine rolled to a 9-6 victory. It was Valle’s 200th win on his career, and afterward his teammates were probably happier than even Valle himself.

“Carlos was better than that tonight,” said manager Alberto Sanchez. “I shouldn’t have let him hanging in the seventh inning, but Carlos wanted to stay in the game. That’s just how he is, and to be fair, he’s earned that kind of leeway.”

“That’s a man right there,” said infielder Dong-po Thum. “He’s taught me a lot about how to handle yourself in the middle of this kind of thing.”

Rex Foster hit a pair of massive homers to fuel the offense. “We’re all happy for Carlos,” he said after that game. “He’s won a lot of 2-1 games and 3-2 games, so we owed him one. I’m just happy I got to help him get here.”

“It’s something I never dreamed about, to be honest. I remember back when the fans were worried that the team might be making a mistake giving me the bonus that they game me to sign just to begin with. And I get it. I was green behind the ears and had a lot to learn. But it’s been a great adventure. Now it’s on to the next milestone.”

When asked if that milestone was 225 wins or 250, Valle smiled and said “Getting to the post season.”

“That’s Carlos,” said Hall of Fame Nine hitter and current Bench Coach Lucas McNeill. “I’ll give him as long as he can keep working, but that kind of response is why I know I’m going to be welcoming him into the Hall someday soon.”