53.01 The Spire

[shoeless.db]

Waiting just outside the batting cage for his turn to take batting practice, Unem Ploid noticed him first. Next, Alex Ramirez, who was in the batter's box, saw him -- a naked Carlos Camacho stepping up from the visitor's dugout. Soon every eye was on Camacho as he walked, without shame, towards centerfield. No one moved or said a word. No one dared.

Camacho had become an enigmatic figure around the stadium since assuming the assistant general manager position prior to the season. He refused to take over the former office of the last assistant GM, preferring instead the confined space of the left decorative spire overlooking centerfield at the Basilica. During night games, the spire would glow an auspicious green from the slitted windows high above the field. Fans paid it no mind, believing it was a new special effect or a symbol of the Mad Popes' winning ways this season. Those involved with the ballclub saw it much differently, Pancho Costa most of all. A steady flow of urine meandered down Costa's leg and soaked into his sock and shoe at the sight of Camacho.

A one for 18 start to his stint wearing Mad Popes blue resulted in Costa being the first to be summoned to Camacho's spire. Following a 3-2 loss to rival San Fernando on April 23, a game where Costa went hitless in two at bats, an orderly wearing soft blue scrubs found Costa at his locker and handed him a note. Costa read it, crumpled it up, and tossed it back at the orderly. The orderly, as if he expected such a reaction, turned and walked out. Moments later, he returned with two additional orderlies. The three walked to Costa, gripped him by his thick arms and shoulders, and moved the large, three-time all-star first baseman as if he were a toddler. Everyone in the locker room looked on in confusion (everyone but Okyay Nisanci, who grinned from his locker opposite of Costa). The next night, Costa went two for four at the plate with a double. He did not celebrate either hit or shake hands with his teammates following their 6-5 win.

Walking from the dugout now, Camacho looked down at the dampening infield dirt under Costa near first base. If he was pleased or displeased with what he saw, his face gave no signs. He simply walked, sun shining on his pale, aging-athletic physique. Like he was out for a stroll, naked and in the middle of a 55,000-seat stadium.

Camacho turned his gaze from Costa and focused on the spires in center. Players parted from his path, and as he reached deep center field, just before the warning track, the shine from the sun turned green and Camacho disappeared.

[Dington]

But did Camacho at least have shoes?

[Jwalk100]

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