The Sendoff of a Local Boy (2064-07)

[woods]

Nathaniel Davis took the mound for his final start of the 2063 season in a meaningless game against the Cobble Hill Robins in Brooklyn. Meaningless as far as the playoff picture, anyway, but the game would prove to be quite meaningful in Davis' career.

The 39-year-old was having a good year. He had won 11 games, posted 2.3 WAR, and was one of the most consistent pitchers on the Swamp Foxes' staff, not missing a start all season.

With two outs in the second inning, Davis threw a two-strike slider to Bob Park and got the strikeout. As he pumped his fist walking off the mound, he felt something snap in his elbow. Turns out, it was a torn flexor tendon that would put him on the shelf for the next 12 months.

Davis was looking at sitting out the entire 2064 season. Luckily, he had a player option in his contract that would've paid him $6.5 million for essentially doing nothing, so it was pretty good job security.

The only thing was, he didn't want it.

He declined the option, on the basis that if he wasn't pitching, he didn't deserve the salary. Which meant that instead of earning $6.5 million, he was an injured and unemployed 40-year-old pitcher. His prospects of ever pitching in the BBA again were looking slim.


* * * * *
Davis was born and raised in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where his father was a harbor worker for the U.S. Coast Guard. The military environment in which Davis grew up instilled good virtues in him, such as the integrity of an honest day's work.

"Honest work for honest pay goes both ways," his father would always tell him. "Never settle for less than your worth — but never accept more, either."

Davis stayed true to his father's advice throughout his career. When he was drafted in the second round, he asked for a slot-value signing bonus — no more, no less. As part of the 2049 Brewster champion Las Vegas Hustlers, he declined his playoff bonus, because he felt he didn't play well that season. Later in his career, he always preferred to sign one-year extensions, with the idea that he should be expected to prove his worth every year.

He made plenty of well-deserved money, too. Over $140 million in his career, which he gladly accepted, because it was quite justified by his three championship rings and two all-star selections.


* * * * *
Cape Fear signed Davis to a minor league contract for the 2064 season as a goodwill gesture. At least it would allow him to rehab in the team's facilities. But there was no expectation that he would take the mound at all in 2064.

During the summer, Davis was reported to be ahead of schedule in his rehab, and maybe, just maybe, he could be game ready by mid-September.

Cape Fear was not in the playoff race, and saw no need to push him for competitive reasons. But since the team was out of the race anyway, it opened up a more sentimental option: one final start in a Swamp Foxes uniform, playing for the team with which he had spent the last thirteen years.

It would be another meaningless, yet very meaningful game for Davis.

You don't need to look at the box score from his final start. It isn't pretty.

After giving up a sacrifice fly to Charm City's Lúcio Guevara, making the score 6-0, Davis' night was done. He handed the ball to Francisco Catazara, and slowly walked off the mound.

Normally, when a pitcher gets shelled like that, they're supposed to keep their head down all the way into the clubhouse. But Davis started to hear the cheers, and looked up at the crowd. The 40,000 in attendance were standing, giving an ovation that was reaching a crescendo as more of them understood the significance of the moment.

This was the last time he'd ever walk off a BBA mound, and it was in a ballpark that had come to be his home, just a couple hours' drive from where he grew up. His parents even drove down for the game.

He stopped in his tracks, unsure of what to do. He knew he should savor the moment, but he also just gave up six runs. Just like with his contract option the year before, he was torn between what he wanted and what he felt he deserved.

What the hell, he decided. Just this once, he would enjoy the ride.

He tipped his hat to the crowd.

[RonCo]

Thanks for writing this. Great fun.

[recte44]

One of the guys I had high hopes for.