ANNOUNCER
OPENING DAY - PROVIDENCE CLIPPERS - MARCH 27TH
Bernie Johnson:Hello again, everybody—Bernie Johnson back with Oliver Reeves on what can only be described as an Arctic tundra of a day. I hope you packed your hand and foot warmers because—yup, those are flurries, folks! Welcome back for a new season of Providence Clippers baseball! We have a lot of new faces joining us this season, and I don’t know about you, Ollz, but I’m really looking forward to seeing some of these new guys play.
Oliver Reeves:Anyone in particular, Bern?
Bernie:Funny you ask, Ollz, because there’s a certain legend’s son who, rumor has it, is back in perfect health and sent a strong message during Spring Training that he’s got what it takes to make it to The Show this year.
Oliver:You wouldn’t happen to be talking about Jed Stone Junior, would you?
Bernie:Oh, I would, Ollz, I would. It’s been a long and difficult road for Stone, and it’s always great to see a player finally making it back after so many setbacks.
Oliver:I couldn’t agree more, Bern. Such rotten luck coming back from Tommy John surgery and immediately thrown out again with a groin pull. But his Spring Training numbers don’t lie. Three-fifty batting average, fifteen RBIs, four homers.
Bernie:The kid’s got a hot bat, no doubt about it. But I think everyone here is asking the same question. How’s the arm doing? Does he still have what it takes to be the next Jetties’ shortstop, because we all know that’s where he was headed pre-injury.
Oliver:Oof—that’s a loaded question. I’ll be honest, he had me sweating this Spring Training. His defense looked sharp…until it came time to throw to first. Had me thinking maybe that arm wasn’t one hundred percent. But by the end, he was throwing lasers again. That’s baseball though, isn’t it, Bern? Players don’t just play one game.
Bernie:You’re so right, Ollz. Gotta remember, folks, these guys are playing two games at once—the one on the field, and the one in their heads.
Oliver:Anyone else have you excited, Bern?
Bernie:Oh, quite a few of these guys have me excited. Especially the new right fielder stepping up to the stage—Easton Winters. He led the Grapefruit League in home runs. And some of the catches he made during Spring Training? I could weep at their beauty.
Oliver:I know what you mean, Bern Bern. The kid’s not just a slugger, that’s for sure.
Bernie:We definitely have an exciting season ahead of us.
ELEVEN
JED
“All right, how’s that feel?”Duncan, the Clippers’ athletic trainer, asks. He’s a lean guy with sleek dark skin and rich brown eyes that are always full of laughter. He’s a really approachable guy, which is a good trait in an athletic trainer.
I point my foot and flex my calf. “Good. Loose. Thanks, Dunc.”
We’re a couple weeks into the season, and even after a grueling Spring Training, nothing really prepares you for the grind once the season starts. There are no more substitutions now, no more easy days. As long as the baseball gods keep me healthy, I’ll be out there nearly every night.
The past week, I’ve been getting brutal charley horses. Might as well call me Donkey Kong with the amount of bananas I’ve been eating.
Duncan slaps my thigh, and I sit up, swinging my legs over the side of the table.
His brows pinch, and his eyes narrow. “How’s the elbow? Need me to take a look?”
I extend my arm and bend it a few times. “A part of me wonders if I’m always going to think I feelsomething.”
He holds out his hand, and I let my arm fall onto it. “That’s normal,” he says, palpating my elbow. “Any soreness? Any pain when I push here?”
I shake my head.
“So much of coming back from an injury is mental. Just don’t be shy about telling me if something does feel off, even if you’re not certain.”
He won’t need to worry about that. It’s extremely common for athletes to play through injuries, to downplay them, trick their own head into thinking it’s not a big deal. That won’t be me. I’m on the other end of the spectrum. I have what is called paranoia. Us athletes definitely keep the staff on their toes.
I leave the small exam room that’s in our clubhouse locker room, passing O’Neil, our starting left fielder, who’s heading for his turn with Duncan. The locker room’s bustling. We’re all getting our turn with the trainers, getting some extra stretching in, suiting up, and starting on our pre-game rituals.
Nebiolo’s already strapped into his catching gear, talking quietly with Araujo as they make their way toward the exit of the locker room. Araujo’s our starting pitcher tonight, so those two are heading out early to start their routine and make sure Araujo’s arm is warm.
