A Long Run Home

Jack Walker was most content outdoors, especially near the lush green fields of Seals Stadium and Fenway Park or his neighbors' perfectly manicured lawns.

He finally got his dream job, mowing the Molders' lawn, not long after a heart attack felled Mr. Molder in his living room. But the job ended abruptly when Jack learned that a fellow left-handed pitcher, a veteran major leaguer, had mowed off one of his toes.

Jack's baseball career also ended abruptly. "Great job, Lefty," said his coach, after his first outing of the season, which happened to be his team's final game. "I'll use you a lot more next year."

"I'm a senior, Coach."

"Well, you certainly pitched like one today."

And then there were schools, horses and girls, including one whose father prowled around like a bear.