Country Slaughter's Mad Dash Home

Barrel-chested America, brawny with victory, Beat the Nazis, destroyed Japan. What could stop us now, surely not Some third base coach's signal: Hold the runner? The series on the line, game seven, Tied, Slaughter sprints around third, Cuts the base, steams toward home. The coach pushes his arms out: Stop. Hold. Caution didn't win any wars. Slaughter runs past the signal, Arms like pistons, full speed. Pesky pauses, the shortstop's immortal mistake. The throw to the plate Just late. Country Slaughter's safe at home, Just like his America. The Cardinals are world champs, St. Louis's hero a wild-eyed North Carolina tobacco farmer. The next year he plans a boycott to keep America safe from that young colored Dodger.