Twice Retired (7 page)

Kenny hurled the baseball into the
forest where it would never be found. Pete Rose had driven that
very ball to left as the final out in that game in the summer of
1973. Ron Webster was met on the mound by his catcher, and he was
hoisted onto the shoulders of his infield defense. It was only an
exhibition game. It didn’t count to anybody except Ron Webster, who
would be carried off the diamond like a true champion.

Pete Rose was mobbed that afternoon by
the opposition, as he jogged back to his dugout after running out
the fly ball. The Indians nearly trampled him as they ran to meet
Webster on the diamond. Ron Webster would see ugly fate at the end
of his next thirty years, topped by his own decision to sit out the
induction of his son into the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose would become
a legend, but he would know later in life how hard it could be to
get to the Hall of Fame- that the opportunity shouldn’t be waived
when offered. At least Pete Rose, however vaguely, might someday
have another chance.

Ron Webster had only needed to be there
one single day- was given the choice to be there- and he could have
re-written something more important than the record books: his
family’s history. Because of his own proud volition, he didn’t make
it. And as it always does with those who let it, history wrote
itself.

Kenny, Jake and Philip left the site of
the cabin, side by side by side.

And they never came back.