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The Send Off
April 1942

The manager stepped inside his office, for the last time he thought, and gazed upon the empty desk and shelves. Only yesterday it had been filled with cigar smoke, champagne bottles and other remnants of the Legends’ United Cup victory party. A surge of satisfaction welled over him as he reflected on the achievement his players had accomplished; a scrappy team that overcame adversity to win it all. But the feeling quickly dissipated as he remembered why he was leaving: how could he remain thousands of miles away from home while young Americans were dying in the defense of their country – his country. At 47 years of age, he knew he could not have a direct share, but he was sure there was something he could do to help raise money for the war effort. And what better time to return home he figured, than right then – fresh off a championship. Besides, his wife Claire was homesick and if he was completely honest with himself, so was he. It was time to leave.

But he also had misgivings. Since the start of the playoffs, he had not seen or spoken to William and was worried how his friend would feel upon learning about his sudden decision to leave Braeland. Especially after what the King had done to secure him his dream job: manager of a professional baseball team. He wanted the opportunity to speak to him and explain his decision, but forces beyond his control prevented it until his very departure scheduled for that afternoon. He wondered how he could reach him, never mind just trying to explain it.

Just then, members of the team staff passed by his office.

“Hey, look who`s still here. If I didn`t know any better Mr. Kelloway, I`d think he wanted his old job back!” joked Gary Gott, the Legends pitching coach.

Ruth laughed as he accepted Gott’s outreached hand.

“And who could blame me? It’s the best job in the entire league! And I appreciate everything you did for me, Mr. Kelloway”, replied Ruth, as he turned to shake Legends owner’s hand.

“Babe, you’re sure you wouldn’t reconsider?” asked Brendan Kelloway, with a teasing smile his face.

Ruth smiled back and sighed. “No, but thank you just the same. All things considered, it’s time to go back home.”

“I understand completely, Babe. What do you say we go up to my office and have a drink? Claire and your luggage won’t be arriving for another half hour. I’ll make a highball just for you!”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t pass up!” smiled Ruth, rubbing his hands.

Ruth and Kelloway made their way to the Owner’s office, passing through the Legends club house. As they did so, the few remaining players who were cleaning out their lockers stood up out of respect.

“Take care, skipper”, offered Harry Chatwin, the Legends star rookie centerfielder as he stepped forward to shake Babe’s hand. “All the best and thanks for everything you taught me.”

The other players stepped up as well to get one last chance to thank their idol.

“Well thank you, boys”, replied Ruth, who relished his role as a mentor. “Just remember – if you continue to play as hard as you did this season, the Cup will stay here in Brunswick for a very long time. It was a real privilege to have been your manager, men. God bless you all.”

The two men made their way up the Owner’s office. Ruth sat down in one of the lush leather chairs and watched as Kelloway pulled back the doors to the wet bar.

“Scotch and seltzer fine with you, Ruth?” asked the owner as he dropped ice cubes into the glasses.

“Oh, that’ll be just dandy”, replied Ruth, as he loosened his tie and collar.

“So, I hear you’ll be flying out on one those newfangled C-54s the U.S. armed forces is employing now”, remarked Kelloway as he handed Ruth his drink.

“Yes – too dangerous to head out by ship now”, responded Ruth, as he took a gulp from his drink. “Ah, that hits the spot. The U.S. Navy has kindly given my wife and me clearance to leave on one of their transport planes that’s heading stateside this afternoon. I just feel bad that we have to leave in a rush and all. There are so many people we would like to say goodbye too, y’know?”

“Well, you got to go when opportunity affords itself. It’s the navy after all. But I wouldn’t worry too much. Despite the secrecy, there’ll be a waiting entourage to see you off at the tarmac.”

“You think so?” asked a hopeful Ruth as he took another gulp of his highball.

Just then, Kelloway’s secretary knocked on the door and poked her head into his office. “Excuse me, Mr. Kelloway, but there’s someone here to see Mr. Ruth. They’re waiting in his office.”

“My office?” exclaimed Ruth. “Well, I guess is it until you officially hire someone else! Must be my wife.”

Ruth looked at his watch. “I suppose it’s that time. Thanks for the drink, Mr. Kelloway; I should be heading down now and not keep Claire waiting.”

“I’ll join you, if you don’t mind, Babe”, replied Kelloway. “I’ll be heading out to see you off as well. Oh, and please, call me Brendan, Babe. No need for any formality now, is there?”

“No, I suppose not”, laughed Ruth as Kelloway patted him on the back.

The men made their way back to Ruth’s old office. As Ruth opened the door, he was greeted by his wife only to realize that she was not alone.

Ruth noticed someone was seated in his old swivel chair but had his back to him. As the young man swiveled around, Ruth instantly recognized a familiar face. “William!”

But William was in no mood for pleasantries.

“What’s this I hear of you leaving without saying goodbye?” a stern looking William asked. For a moment, tension filled the air as Alexander Louden, the King’s personal secretary and Dr. David Westfall, the Commissioner stood in silence with the others at the King’s unexpected outburst.

But the King couldn’t keep the act going any longer, and broke out in a wide grin. “Gotcha!” William shouted as he playfully pointed to his much relieved friend.

Ruth could only smile as William gleefully got up and slid over the desktop to embrace him, as the crowd of onlookers in the tiny room breathed a sigh of relief as well.

“You had me going there, kid”, exclaimed Ruth. “Truth is I wouldn’t blame you if you were angry at me. I wanted to talk to you before we departed, but I didn’t know how in the short time we had left.”

“Angry at you? That’s not even possible, is it?” asked an incredulous William. “I knew this day was coming sooner or later, what – with the war breaking out and all.” Then William paused. “I just didn’t think it would be ‘sooner’.”

William then turned to acknowledge Ruth’s wife Claire and his own wife, Lily, who was holding their three month old daughter, Hannah. “Besides, you don’t owe me anything, Babe. There’s nothing more important than family and home.”

A silence then fell upon the subdued crowd, as no one was prepared to spoil the moment for William and the Babe. Finally, it was William himself who broke it. “Well, we can’t put it off any longer. It‘s time to take you and Claire home safe and sound. Alex, if you’d be so kind as to lead us out to the motorcade; we mustn’t keep the navy waiting.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fifteen minutes later, the motorcade arrived onto the tarmac at Lune Military Airfield just outside of Brunswick, where the U.S. Navy’s Douglas R5D was waiting for them.

Getting out of the car, the King covered his eyes from the bright afternoon sun and whistled as he gawked at the gleaming transport.

“She’s a beauty, alright,” concurred Ruth.

“I’ll see to it that you’re luggage and passage is taken of, Mr. Ruth”, informed Louden as he turned to meet the approaching military personnel.

Unsure whether he would be able to keep his emotions in check, William stayed back with his wife and daughter as United League Commissioner David Westfall and Legends owner Brendan Kelloway spoke in turn and presented, among other things, the Legends’ United Cup trophy to a surprised Ruth as a keepsake.

Ruth called out to Louden who was returning from the transport. “Hey Alex, got some more for ya!”

Laughter erupted as Ruth handed off the keepsakes to the deluged Secretary. Then, Ruth approached William, who had remained subdued.

“I’ve got something for you, your Majesty.” Ruth pulled out a baseball from the pocket of his sports jacket and gently tossed it to William. “It’s the home run ball that won us the United Cup.”

Now it was William’s turn to be surprised. “Are you sure, Babe?”

“I’m positive, kid. A little token of my appreciation. Something to share with Hannah when she’s old enough.”

William laughed. “I will, Babe. I’ll make sure she knows all about it.”

Just then Louden approached them once again. “You’re baggage is all loaded up Mr. Ruth; Mrs. Ruth. They’re requesting that you board immediately.”

“Well, take care of yourself, Babe. Goodbye, Claire”, offered William as he shook their hands in turn. Then, as the realization of their leaving finally sank in, William struggled to get the words he wanted to say out. “I’ll never forget the times we spent together, Babe. Thank you for everything.”

“So long, kid; it’s been a swell ride, and I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me. See ya when the war’s over.”

“I’d like that, Babe”, replied William. The two men stood motionless, facing each other, not wanting to leave each other’s company, but both recognized there was no point in delaying the inevitable.

After a final wave of goodbye, the Ruths turned and walked across the tarmac to the transport, up the stairs and disappeared inside. As the doors closed and the plane taxied to the runway, William turned away, unable to watch any longer. He had something in his eye.

William closed his eyes and listened as the transport took off. Within a matter of minutes it was out of view. Then a subdued Louden approached the King, who still had his back to the runway. “You’re Majesty?”

“Yes, Alex; we should go now.” The entourage withdrew and headed back to the waiting motorcade. As the others piled in, William asked Louden a favour. “Take my family home would you, Alex? I want to head back to the ballpark – alone.”

Louden didn’t have to ask why. “Yes, sire.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arriving back at the ballpark, William gently tapped his chauffer on the shoulder. “Wait for me here, Albert. I’ll be but a few minutes.”

As William emerged from the motorcar, he paused to glance up at the ‘Babe Ruth Park’ marquee as its neon lighting fought back the threatening shadows. Entering through the side door that was opened for him, William took his time walking down the dark, lonely tunnel that led to the field behind home plate. Emerging from the home dugout, William walked up to the top step and leaned against the railing. He contemplated the rays from the late afternoon sun that streamed across the green grass and thought back to the time when he first met the Babe at Yankee Stadium all those years ago. He thought of the present as well, the brief moment in time it seemed; of witnessing the Babe manage his club to glory from those very steps. Just then, he remembered the ball Ruth had given him and pulled it out of the pocket of his sports jacket. Looking at it more closely, he noticed the inscription for the first time: “To William – Thanks for everything, kid. Your friend, Babe.”

William immediately looked around through increasingly glistening eyes, making sure he wasn’t being observed. Returning his attention to the ball, William stared at it, lost in thought, and allowed himself a faint smile. He wasn’t sure of a lot of things in life. Like the outcome of a senseless war or whether he would ever see his friend again. But he was sure of one thing.

Baseball would continue to thrive in Braeland – it just won’t be the same without the Babe.