The Hitting Zone
chapter-383

I followed them downstairs at a more leisurely pace. I didn't know what made them so excited, but safe to say, it has something to do with baseball. Especially since that sports channel was mentioned. I found all four brothers in the living room, eyes trained on the tv. I looked but only saw the broadcasters going through some highlights of the baseball games from earlier.

"It's gotta be coming on soon, right?" Dave asked nervously. He sat at the end of the couch, and at the edge of his seat. His elbows rested on his knees and his hands were grasped together like he was prepared to pray.

"It has to!" Kyle shook his phone. "I showed you the tweet."

"Just relax." Zeke told them. "It'll be on soon."

Noah spotted me just standing there by the doorway. "Jake! Come here! You're about to witness MLB history." He scooted over and patted the seat beside him, just on the end.

I sat down, feeling eager to know what was happening with all this excitement. "What's happening? Is that A's player okay?" That's the only thing I could think of that could grab the attention of all four boys.

"No." Noah shook his head, looking a little depressed at the mention of the injured A, but it didn't drain his happiness. "But! He tweeted some exciting news! A big trade is in process!"

"Oh." I nodded slowly, not really feeling excited anymore. What's so good about a trade?

Noah laughed at my lacklustered response. "Maberry tweeted on social media that he was going to be out until the all-star break, but that the team would have good news on a good replacement soon!" He grinned. "The hashtag was a big hint, 'here comes the kid'!" Noah bounced on the couch a little bit. "It can only mean one thing!"

"Shhhh." Kyle hushed him.

The tv volume was turned up to a blasting degree. Sportscenter had stopped the highlight reels from the earlier games. Two men sitting across from one another filled the screen as a big headline took over the lower half of the screen: Oakland acquires ROY (rookie of the year) from San Diego.

"Sorry to interrupt, breaking news being reported to us now: the Oakland A's have traded their two first round picks for next year, and another first round pick from the following year to the San Diego Padres in order to acquire Jeremy Patterson." The first broadcaster said. He took a deep breath and looked at his partner. "What are your thoughts on this?"

The second man replied. "I'm shell shocked. Just like everyone else in the MLB. Who trades the former Rookie of the Year away?? Who trades three first round picks for a one year stud? This is insane. Both teams are crazy."

"I'm with you on that. A trade like this just days after Jack Maberry has a bad collision at the plate." He tapped a pen on the desk. "I have to tell you though, the Oakland A's are pretty decisive. Maberry had the collision on Friday so they used the weekend to examine his knee AND the market for good hitting outfielders. They came up big!"

"A big trade like this just weeks after the opener is highly uncommon. I just want to know what San Diego was thinking. They have a shot at the playoffs, a shot at the series, and a shot for the championship. How can they just turn away a star like Patterson?"

"For this, we have Brett Ryan on the line." The man announced as a little pop up box appeared on the side, containing another man who wasn't at the studio. "Brett, can you tell us how this happened? Why the sudden trade? For both team perspectives?"

Brett Ryan nodded. "Yes, I have some insights. First off, for Oakland, we all knew it wouldn't be good news for Maberry. Worst case scenario, he'd be out for the whole season. It's not surprising that Oakland would shop around for a replacement. What is surprising is that they picked someone for the long term." A picture of Maberry's tweet overtook the screen. "Then we received this cryptic message. Maberry is forthright in his injury, it's a broken kneecap. Not too bad. Not all that good. There's a chance he can be back in just a few months, but there's also a chance that they find something and he's done for the season."

"Yes, as long as there aren't any torn ligaments or muscles, he should be good to go in just a few months." The second broadcaster added. "How does that affect this trade?"

"Oakland holds the cards with this. No other team knows how Maberry is like them. This way they aren't in a do-or-die situation. They either get a good replacement or they make do until Maberry comes back." He grinned. "Now from San Deigo's side. They have last year's ROY winner, and they don't have to pay the big bucks. So why would they trade him away? Let me tell you, free agency."

"Patterson won't be a free agent until next year." The first broadcaster said. "Why are they so eager to get rid of him? Is it because they already know he wants too much?"

"No. It's the location. Patterson has already expressed his dislike for the Southwest teams in the league when he was drafted a few years ago. In fact, he was raised in the Bay Area and preferred a Northwest team like Oakland or San Francisco. He'd even be okay with Seattle." He took a breath. "San Diego knew they wouldn't be able to keep him once he turned into a free agent, so why not trade him away and get something out of having a good player. Now they're sitting with three first round picks, two that even come next year. The only aspect they lost out on is not getting the picks this year, but Oakland was adamant that they wouldn't cave on this."

"Wow. It really worked out well for both teams when you put it that way. Oakland trying to win it all this year, and San Diego trying to win in the future."

"San Diego will really get a good group of young guys starting next year. No doubt they'll be something to keep your eye on."

"Same with Oakland. Maberry is still young, and Patterson is up-and-coming. As soon as these two get together, the A's lineup will be something to fear. And don't forget about their excellent pitching staff already in place."

"With Patterson still being under his rookie contract, that means the A's still have plenty of money to make another move or two if they need to." Brett Ryan added.

The three spoke some more more about the trade and the ramifications it would have for the other teams in the league.

I started to lose interest until they played a few clips of Patterson playing. He was diving in the outfield, making long throws to home plate to throw out a runner, he was running around the bases in a fast sprint. They also showed a clip of him hitting a homerun and it made me freeze. And do a double take.

I squinted on every face shot they showed, trying to get a good look at his features. He looked...like...my dad. Impossible, I know. But the memory was fuzzy, while this face seemed to make it clear. Could they have a relation? Like...being his son? My brother?

I leaned forward to take a better look even though that can't really help with my vision. I put all my focus on the tv. Watching the man move and play a familiar sport.

"What's his name again?" My voice cracked. I forced a cough to clear it. "How old is he?"

"Jeremy Patterson!" Dave yelled out. He whooped and jumped up. "We're going places now!" Kyle joined in the celebration.

"He's 20 or 21 I think." Noah told me. He looked at me with concern. "Are you okay, Jake?"

I shook my head. No. Definitely not okay.

"You look a little sick." He stood up. "Do you need some medicine? Want me to go get Mom or Dad?"

"Uh, no." I stood up as well, shaking like a leaf. "I should just go to bed." I cleared my throat again, forcing myself to speak. "I'll be okay if I just sleep it off." My arms and legs turned stiff as I tried walking away, going up the stairs.

Noah sounded like he was following me, but then I heard Zeke call him back. Thankfully. I don't think I could deal with Noah's hovering right now. I might give something away.

I found my way back to the room and got into bed. I closed my eyes, but my brain didn't shut off like I wanted it to. My thoughts were running a mile a minute.

Is that him? Really him? Could it be? Or maybe I'm just imagining things? I could be. I have to be. There's no way I would have a professional baseball player as a brother. That doesn't make sense. I mean, it wouldn't make sense.

You know what? Just because that man looks like my dad, doesn't mean he's my brother. Or even related to me. It could be a coincidence. A lot of people who aren't related could look like each other. That's a thing. Yea.

Under the covers, I still felt cold. But I was also sweating. It just didn't make sense. And because it didn't make sense, it can't be real.