Derek turned and saw that Mr. Jeter was standing with the man who’d been sitting in the bleachers taking notes. “Come on over here, old man,” his dad said.
Derek walked over to them. “This is Mr. Russell,” his dad said. “He’d like to talk with you for a minute.”
“Hi,” said Derek. “Nice to meet you.”
The man stuck out his hand. “Great game, young man.
“Derek,” Derek said, shaking it. “Derek Jeter.”
“Rick Russell. My son Brad was the starting pitcher?”
“Oh yeah,” Derek said, looking over at Brad, who was celebrating with Dave and the rest. “He’s tough to hit.”
“He’s going to be on the traveling team this fall.”
“Oh yeah? Cool.”
“I know because I coach the team.”
Derek’s eyes widened. He’d heard of the traveling team’s exploits. They’d had a winning record four years running!
But why was Mr. Russell telling him all this?
“I’d like you to think about trying out, if you’re interested.”
“Me?”
“Only the best players make it, but I think you have a fighting chance.”
“Wow! Thanks, Mr. Russell!” Derek blurted out. “I mean…” He looked up at his dad, who was beaming with pride. “I mean, if my parents say it’s okay.”
“Your mom’s over there, talking with Mrs. Mullins,” Mr. Jeter said. “Why don’t you go ask her? If she says yes, it’s all right with me.”
“Yessss!” Derek said excitedly. “Nice meeting you, sir,” he told Mr. Russell.
“Nice meeting you, too, Derek,” said the coach. “You play a great shortstop, you know? I really like your game. More importantly, I like your approach. I saw you taking grounders with your dad. You were here a half hour early. That’s dedication.” He shook Derek’s hand again. “I look forward to the next time we meet. You can find notices about tryouts at your school. We post information on all the lobby bulletin boards.” Shaking hands with Derek’s dad, he added, “Mr. Jeter? It’s been a pleasure.” Then he turned and walked over to the Tigers’ side of the field.
Derek stared after him, as if he’d just seen a shooting star flare across the sky. Finally he shook himself back to Earth. He turned to go find his mom and ask her permission to try out. She was still there in the stands—but Avery, her mom, and her entire cheering section had vanished.
Chapter Seventeen END OF THE SEASON
Derek’s mom and sister had already gone home, having been offered a lift with Chase, who said he’d drop them off on his and Dave’s way home. Derek now sat in the back seat of the family station wagon with Vijay, who for once was silent and somber. He almost always looked on the bright side, but this defeat had been crushing, for all the Yankees. There was no getting around it.
Mr. Jeter didn’t break the silence. He let the boys have their private time, to process what had just happened. He’d lost big games before, and he knew what it was like.
Derek, though, had something new and intriguing to distract him from his misery. The conversation with Coach Russell had taken him completely by surprise. Now it offered something hopeful to look forward to, instead of having to dwell on this painful loss.
After they dropped Vijay off, his dad pulled into the family parking spot in front of their townhouse. “You okay?” his dad asked.
“I guess I’ll get over it.”
“Come on inside. Let’s get some lunch, huh?”
They went inside. As Derek stepped through the doorway, he heard, “SURPRISE!”
There were his mom, Sharlee—and his aunt Julie! Sharlee and his mom were holding a big tray with a cake on it!
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” everyone shouted.
“W-wait! My birthday’s not till tomorrow!”
“Sharlee couldn’t wait,” Mrs. Jeter explained.
“Mommy, aren’t we going to sing?” Sharlee said, tugging at her mother’s shirt.
The whole family broke into song. As they serenaded him, Derek took a closer look at his cake. It was homemade, in the shape of a baseball diamond. On the infield was written in icing: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEREK! Underneath was the number twelve, for how old he was.
In the outfield there was an interlocking NY for the Yankees, and the word “CHAMPIONS” under it. Above, in a different-color icing, was written in small letters “almost.”
“Wow!” he cried when the song was over. “I can’t believe this cake!”
“Make a wish and blow out the candles!” Sharlee ordered.
He did as he was told, and then they all marched into the kitchen to watch Mrs. Jeter cut the cake.
“Aunt Julie! I didn’t know you were coming!” Derek said, giving her a big hug.
“I wouldn’t miss my nephew’s birthday,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.
“So, Sharlee,” Derek said, “this is why you’ve been acting so suspicious the past two weeks!”
She giggled with pleasure. “Mommy and I made the cake all by ourselves!” she bragged. “And I helped paint the players, too! See? You’re the one at shortstop!”
Derek looked closer. “It does kind of look like me. Only handsomer. Great job, Sharlee. You’re an artist! And you sure know how to keep a secret.”
Sharlee beamed with pleasure. “Can we give Derek his presents now?”
“Sharlee,” her dad teased, “wouldn’t you rather have your cake first?”
“No. Now!” Sharlee protested. “Daddy, pleeeeze?”
“All right, all right,” Mr. Jeter said, laughing. “You’ve been very patient for two whole weeks, so…”
There were two envelopes, a medium box, and a small box. Derek opened the first envelope. It was a card, and inside were tickets to see the Detroit Tigers play the Yankees the following weekend at Tiger Stadium!
“WOW!” Derek said. “This is amazing! Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!”
He gave them all hugs and kisses. It was the best present he could have asked for!
He opened the next card. It was from his grandparents in New Jersey. “We can’t wait to see our great big grandson,” his grandma had written. “And guess what? We’re going to the Hall of Fame together in July!”
Derek couldn’t believe it! He’d always wanted to see the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York—and now he was going to go!
He couldn’t wait to
