Word: batted
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Proof? Obviously the important men here were Lonborg and Yastrzemski. By the third inning Lonborg was behind 2-0, both runs were unearned. He didn't seem to be shaken by the defensive collapse. But one couldn't be sure. Then, at bat against Chance in the bottom of the third, Lonborg poked a one-handed single to center. Lonborg was stronger than Chance, just as Santiago had been stronger than Kaat. One could trust...
Then, just at this hinging point, we--the crowd--responded for the first time in a way that brought us dignity and the right to talk of the Red Sox as "our" team--until our sharp fall from grace after the game. Harrelson was at bat, two men on, no outs. This was the weakest link in the rally, this hapless outfielder from the Kansas City A's who still carried that team's curse of failure. We knew that and took responsibility out of Harrelson's hands...
...Yastrzemski. What does one say? He is apart. He came to bat after Adair, and one took pleasure, even in his patient preparation. In the on-deck circle, two bats swirling around the shoulders, above the head in an ashwood ceremony of prayer and promise. Meticulous attention to every detail...
First the left foot, scraping the dirt near the back of the box, establishing this dominion. Then, settling the helmet with the right hand. Finally the foot, closer to the plate, more mobile than the anchoring left foot. One easy practice swing--just one and then the body tightened. Bat drawn up and back with terrifying geometrical precision, lines and angles of force created by arms, elbows and wood. No nervous practice swings, just a slow waving of the bat. The pitch--and the explosion of energy, cracking the ball down the right field line...
There is a maxim that the amount of gambling in a club is an inverse variation to its prestige. The Bat Club is known to be the gambling club, closely challenged by the Iroquois; the D.U. Club the least exclusive (among whites, that is); the A.D. Club and Fly Club good, but containing some ugly rich folk; the Porcellian Club the most prestigious, wealthy, and socially acceptable in Boston; the Spee Club and its Fred Roloff the most interesting and broad, but also sprinkled with dullards; the Owl Club the nest of Eastern preppies and athletes; the Phoenix Club...