And the Yeah, Welcome back everyone to 1001 classic short stories and tales.

Zane Gray, who is known primarily for his outdoor and Western stories,

played minor league baseball for a few years,

and left us some great stories of which this is one.

One of our recent reviewers suggested we do one and we were listening.

This is our way of saying thanks for your review.

And now breaking into Fast Company by Zeng Gray.

They may say baseball is the same in the minor leagues that it is in the big leagues,

but any old ball player or manager knows better.

Where the difference comes in, however, is in the greater excellence and unity of the major players.

A speed, a daring, a finish that can be acquired only in competition with one another.

I thought of this when I led my party into Morrissey's private box in the grandstand of the Chicago American League grounds.

We'd come to see the Rubbs break into fast company. My great pitcher, Whitaker Hurtle, the Rub, as we called him, had won the Eastern League

pennant for me that season, and Morrissey, the Chicago Magnet, had bought him.

Millie, my fiance was with me, looking as happy as she was pretty, and she was chaperoned by her mother, Mrs. Nelson.

With me also were two veterans of my team, McCall and Spears, who lived in Chicago, and who would have

traveled many miles to see the Rube pitch.

And the other member of my party was Mrs. Hurtle, the Rube's wife, as saucy and a sparkling eyed as when she had been Nan Brown.

Today she wore a new tailor-made gown, a new bonnet, new gloves. She said she decorated herself in a manner befitting the wife of a

Major League pitcher. Morris East Box was very comfortable and as I was pleased to

note so situated that we had a fine view of the field and stands, and yet were comparatively secluded.

Some of the Chicago players were on the field tossing and batting balls.

...