He and his dad find a beautiful,
hand-stitched glove for a lefty
at a little leather shop a few
miles from home. Saddle soap rub-
bed into the golden glove. New
baseball placed in the palm.
Rubber band around the glove.
Itchy wool-blend uniform. Black,
leather shoes with the real deal
steel spikes tied together at the
laces, carried over his shoulder
as he rides his bike to the diamond.
Cap with built-in flip down sun-
glasses just like Billy Williams.
Wad of bubble gum packed into his
cheek just like the chewing tobacco
of Nellie Fox. Crack of the bat
just like Ernie Banks. Center-
field catch. Throw to second base.
Rubbing the deep pocket in the
glove now perfect for shagging
fly balls. Index finger outside
the glove just like every major
leaguer. A boyhood summer.