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be.”
    â€œGee, Steve, thanks for bringing Jackie to meet us,” one of the girls said. “We always hear you talking about Jackie Robinson, but nobody believed you really knew him.”
    â€œYeah. We just thought you were lying,” another boy said.
    All I could do was smile.
    â€œWill you sign my cap, Jackie?” someone asked.
    â€œGotta pen?”
    Within seconds, boys and girls were lined up to have something signed by Jackie. A couple of kids even had me sign
my
name. I couldn’t believe how proud I felt.
    â€œI don’t get to play much softball,” Jackie told the kids after he’d finished signing. “But I’d be happy to show you some skills that don’t involve a ball.”
    The requests came in as if they were fast pitches. And Jackie fielded them like the pro he was.
    â€œCan you teach us how to steal a base?” one of the girls asked.
    â€œMy name’s Sam,” a boy said, stepping forward to shake Jackie’s hand. “I’m pigeon-toed, too. I want to be able to run as fast as you.”
    â€œSam, if you really want to run faster, join the track team and work hard. You’ll be fine.”
    â€œCould you show us how to slide into a base and not get caught?” another asked.
    â€œI’ll show you some moves,” Jackie promised. “But keep in mind that stealing bases takes daring and patience at the same time. You must study the pitcher and run at the right moment. There’s risk, for sure. If you get picked off, let it go and don’t be afraid to try again.”
    â€œHey, Jackie,” one kid yelled. “I know you’re from Pasadena. So will you go home after the season?”
    â€œNot sure,” Jackie replied. “California will always be home, but I think it’s time to set down some roots on the East Coast. Now, enough talk. Let’s play ball.”
    Jackie joined us on the field and took us through base-running techniques until we could all slide into home plate like him. It was so much fun. Everyone groaned when Jackie called time-out.
    â€œGame day tomorrow,” Jackie said.
    â€œWho are you playing?” someone asked.
    â€œCincinnati Reds,” Jackie told them.
    â€œGood luck beating the Reds,” the kids shouted as we made our way back down Tilden Avenue.
    â€œSteve, how’d you like to invite your entire class to a Dodgers game?”
    â€œWould I ever! My birthday’s on the nineteenth,” I reminded Jackie.
    â€œGreat! How about you celebrate your birthday with your class on June twenty-fourth? Right before school lets out for the summer, the Dodgers have a doubleheader against Pittsburgh. I’ll get a batch of tickets to the first game. It’s in the afternoon. How many kids are in your class?”
    â€œMaybe twenty-five,” I replied. “Is that too many tickets?”
    â€œI’ll get enough so parents and teachers can come. Do you think Miss Maliken will come along?”
    â€œAre you kidding? She’s a huge fan.”
    â€œYou can ride over early with Rachel, Jackie, and me. We’ll leave the tickets at will-call. I’ll have the Dodgers office contact Miss Maliken to make all the arrangements, and ask Rachel to call your mother. And, Steve . . . you can either stay with Rachel or join your classmates for the game. Okay?”
    I couldn’t believe my ears! “Okay,” I repeated. “It’s the best news ever!”

Iwas the school hero. News quickly spread that I’d brought Jackie Robinson to the school yard and he’d met a bunch of fourth and fifth graders. After the Dodgers front office called Miss Maliken, my whole third-grade class hugged me. Miss Maliken even pulled me aside and told me how happy she was with the change in my behavior. I was not the same boy who’d pushed her into that bush earlier in the year. That was because of Jackie.
    I felt sorry for Sena. She was in a different