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Spring Training in the North Carolina State League
On the same day the Carolina League celebrated its first-ever opening day, the Landis Millers found themselves playing their third exhibition of spring training. It wouldn’t get nearly the same amount of attention as Raleigh vs. Durham or Greensboro vs. Charlotte, but it was a HUGE deal in Rowan County.
Landis was facing county rival Salisbury for the first time. Boone Tucker vs. his old manager, Ed Cross. Preseason bragging rights on the line. A county divided!
The Millers had lost their first two exhibition games. There had been very few highlights. Landis hitters had whiffed at practically everything, even veterans like Phil Durham and Ross Stokes. Ugh.
Boone Tucker shook hands with Ed Cross about 30 minutes before the first pitch, his face all steel. The game didn’t count in the standings. It would be forgotten in a few weeks. But Tucker knew that some wins counted anyway...
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