2063.1 Not a Good Night for Natta. Not a Good Night for Charlotte

[Krathan]

The air was filled with hope. It was Wednesday night, the first of November. The Flyers were trailing in the series, sure, but despite losing the first two in Nashville, the fans felt as though anything was possible.

Game one had been close. It could have easily gone the other way. Buwono Mainaky had some trouble with his back and had to leave the game early. The report came back quickly. He would be fine. He would be able to pitch in game five. With a little luck Charlotte could have won that one.

Game two was even closer. Arturo Trevino had struggled early but the same thing happened against Montreal and he came back with a phenomenal start in game seven of that series. He had also pitched great against Charm City. Game two was probably just a hiccup. He would surely bounce back in game six. The Flyers just had to get it there. It took a walk-off for the mighty Bluebirds to take that game.

Game three was glorious. Bob Anderson had been masterful in front of the home crowd and Charlotte was back in the series. All they had to do was win the next two at home and steal one in Nashville. It seemed possible. Maybe even probable the way the season had gone. When they really needed a win, they had gotten it.

Jacquot Natta was on the hill for game four. Bandit hadn't been great in the postseason, but that could be attributed to rust after missing the last nineteen games of the regular season with an injury. This was to be his fourth start of the postseason. He had spoken with the media between starts. He said he was starting to feel better...more like himself. He was ready to go for game four.

He recorded his first out of the game on his third pitch, a groundout by Chrissy Tingle. Observant fans watched as Bandit shook his right arm after that pitch. Trainer Jorge Luna and catcher Lawrence Stewart noticed it. Stewart started to walk toward the mound but Bandit waved him off. The catcher crouched behind the plate as Alfonso Gonzales stepped into the batter's box.

Gonzales struck out and Bandit winced. He reached for his elbow with his non-throwing hand. This time Stewart and Luna didn't wait. They quickly met Natta in front of the mound. Bandit's eyes were welling up as he looked at them.

"I'm sorry. I...can't. I'm sorry."

The rest of the infield gathered around their captain. Veteran first baseman Dallas Dixon put his hand on the pitcher's left shoulder and spoke.

"We'll get 'em. You take care of you. We'll take care of the Bluebirds."

The crowd sat in silence as their hero stood with his teammates, the trainer probing his throwing arm and speaking periodically.

Natta walked off the field with Luna and disappeared into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse. The fans stood and cheered for their star. There was an emptiness in the applause, fear mixed with sincere appreciation.

The Flyers did win that game. The bullpen stepped up and allowed just one run in eight and a third innings. Jose Bedreddin hit a home run and a triple. Charlotte had evened the series but the hope in the air had been replaced by fear.

The news came out the next morning. The worst fears of Natta, his teammates, his coaches, and his fans had been confirmed. He would need elbow reconstruction surgery. Bandit would not only miss the rest of the series, but the entire 2063 season as well.

The Flyers came out flat on Thursday night. Carter Cramer crushed the ball. The Bluebirds took a three games to two lead. The series went back to Nashville. A shell of the Charlotte ballclub made the trip. The Bluebirds did what most expected and won game six handily.

Flyers players, coaches, fans, and the front office were saddened by the missed opportunity at a championship. Everyone was crushed by the realization that Bandit would be unavailable for the next year and the idea that no one knows if he will be the same player when he finally does return.

And now the Charlotte front office has to figure out how to replace one of the best players in their lineup and their rotation for the upcoming season.

[RonCo]

Huge loss. Both for the team and the game.

[Dington]

Natta loss hurts more than the Monty loss. Such a bummer.

[Krathan]

Natta loss hurts more than the Monty loss. Such a bummer.

It does man. There’s no doubt about it.

[BaseClogger]

I wish he could still DH for you.

[Krathan]

I wish he could still DH for you.

Me too. It really sucks I lose him completely for a pitching injury.