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April 28, 2017 | Nonfiction

The Big Inning: Game 95 // Ninth Inning, Chicago // The Cubbies Win the Pennant

Brendan Donley

What can be said about this game that hasn’t already been said about Christmas morning? Better than that. The first day of a summer break. Better than that. Evening fireworks on the 4th of July. That, too. Better than all. A graduation, an engagement, a marriage, a festival, a celebration. An outdoor fete to anything.

The Big Inning: Game 95 // Ninth Inning, Chicago // The Cubbies Win the Pennant photo
Carl Mays Kills Ray Chapman photo

April 28, 2017 | Poetry

Carl Mays Kills Ray Chapman

Andrew Butler

He doesn’t have any friends and doesn’t want any.

That’s the only way Mays can pitch, 

 

because he doesn’t play the game 

of fraternity formed on summer ballfields. 

The Big Inning: Game 69 // Seventh Inning, Los Angeles // A Silent Gift, for Vin Scully photo

April 27, 2017 | Nonfiction

The Big Inning: Game 69 // Seventh Inning, Los Angeles // A Silent Gift, for Vin Scully

Brendan Donley

Vin Scully alone in a broadcast booth, talking by himself, talking to us. Assuring the world that all’s well in Dodgeralia. Calm. Composed. At home, in a park he’ll depart at season’s end. Handpicking his words, off endless branches, branches’ branches, in a deep memory he builds, maintains over many years, keeps polished like a jewel.

Swinging photo

April 26, 2017 | Fiction

Swinging

Brendan J. O'Brien

Oscar kisses the child through the hard mesh fence designed for the fans’ protection.  He does not like kissing his boy through hard mesh.