Double Played
by
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Chad Green has enjoyed a great career as the Shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds. He has been the starting Shortstop for the last eight years. Chad has been having trouble with his left knee. As a professional Athlete, he’s learned to ignore the pain and play on. Today, as he awaits his turn at bat. He has kneeled in the on-deck circle. When he got up, his knee was sore and stiff. He came to bat, and the pitcher threw a fastball at home plate. Chad swung at the pitch and drove it down the left-field line. His first base coach yelled, “Go for two.” Chad rounded first base, heading toward second. Halfway to second base, he felt like somebody had stuck a knife into his knee. He barely made it to the base as he sled. He caught his left leg under him in an awkward angle. Then Chad felt unbearable pain in his knee. Chad woke up in a hospital room, seeing his parents in the room, and he asked, “What happened?” Before they could speak, Doctor James Graham, the team’s orthopedic surgeon, entered his room. Doctor Graham had terrible news for Chad. He explained that the hospital had taken X-rays of his knees while he was unconscious. He put the X-rays on the glass and said this X-ray is of your right knee. It appears to be okay. This other X-ray is of your left knee, and when you compare the X-rays, you tore your ACL in your left knee. Also, there are bone fragments that are loose in your left knee. According to the X-rays, you have severely injured your knee. This injury, without a miracle, has ended your baseball career. With this news, it became apparent that only God could heal Chad's knee so that he could play baseball again. His parents were Christians, and they came forward and prayed with Chad. Chad was a Christian, too. But he had forgotten God on his way to success. Chad broke down as his Dad prayed, realizing what he had done. He silently prayed and asked the Lord to forgive his sins and how he had forgotten and moved away from God. He cried and asked if the Lord would help him to move forward with the Lord by his side. His physical therapist, Sue Tillis, entered his room and introduced herself to Chad’s parents. She came closer to Chad, who noticed that she was a beautiful woman. Sue stuck her hand out and said, “I’m Sue Tillis. I will be your physical therapist. We will spend much time together in the coming months.” She said this with a big smile on her face. As they shook hands, something went between them, and they were surprised by what happened. Chad was tongue-tied and only nodded at Sue. Sue was confused by what happened, and she had a strange look. Chad’s mother picked up on what happened between them and smiled. She will discuss this with Chad later. Sue paused and said, “How are you doing, Chad?” Chad finally found his voice and whispered to her, “Saying I’m in a lot of pain.” They spoke about a few things that Sue wanted Chad and his parents to do after the surgery. Sue said, “I’ll see you about a week after your surgery. I have a couple of other patients I need to see. I will see you soon.” She leaned in to shake Chad’s hand again, and she was gone. Chad could still smell Sue’s perfume after she left. It was as beautiful as she was. The results of Chad’s surgery were worse than initially thought. Chad’s rehab would be long and painful. Chad and Sue did not get off on the right foot when Chad met Sue at the Rehab Center. They eventually started working together. Chad improved, and his knee strengthened. Sue tried to understand the feelings she had toward Chad. She had never felt this way about a guy before. Sue, being a Christian, prayed and asked her best friend, Willow Russell, a physical therapist and roommate with Sue. Willow told Sue it was about time she had feelings for a guy. She said, “You had to pick a professional baseball player named Chad Green. That must have been some handshake.” As Chad and Sue’s relationship develops, Chad has other problems in the name of Joe Wilkens, his replacement at Shortstop for the Reds. He has told Chad he needed to retire or he would hurt him so that he would never play baseball again. Joe was a bitter and selfish person. He was not a team player. How does Chad’s relationship with Sue turn out? Will he be able to play baseball again for the Cincinnati Reds? How does his knee hold up over a grueling baseball season? What happens to Joe Wilkins? Does he continue to play for the Reds? Does he hurt Chad as he said he would?
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Book Details
About the Book
Sliding into second base, Chad Green felt his left knee explode in pain, and his life changed forever. Chad is a major league baseball player. He’s played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds for the last eight years. He has had problems with his left knee for most of the season.
He woke up in the hospital, where he met his Orthopedic surgeon, Doctor Graham. He explains to Chad the damage done to his left knee. It’s extensive. He needs surgery to repair the torn ACL and clean up other areas of the knee. Even when he has the surgery, there is a strong possibility that he won’t play baseball again. Digesting the bad news, his physical therapist introduces herself as she enters his room. Sue Tillis is a Christian, single, attractive young woman, and when they shake hands, something goes between them. They both felt it.
The story revolves around Chad and Sue. They are both shy about dating, and the early days of their relationship are awkward. If rehabbing his knee with Sue was hard enough, he has problems with Joe Wilkens, his shortstop replacement for the Reds. Joe is trying to get the Red’s fans to forget who Chad Green is through his arrogant and smug attitude. How will Chad deal with Joe Wilkins? Will he play baseball again? Will he find his true love with Sue Tillis?
I understand Chad’s emotions about his future as a baseball player and the question, what do I do after baseball? I played baseball for many years as a catcher. Chad must decide between his first love, baseball, and his newfound love, Sue Tillis.
About the Author
E. A. Rager played baseball for many years as a catcher. He understands what it’s like to be a teammate. The catcher serves as the field captain. His position is dangerous, as many things can go wrong for the player behind the plate.
E. A. Rager spent nearly fifty years in the manufacturing industry as a Sales Engineer. He owned his own company for almost thirty years and worked for various other companies before finally retiring from the field. His expertise lay in selling chemicals and cutting tools to the metal removal industry.
E. A. became interested in writing several years ago. He discovered his passion for writing and has taken several courses in creative writing. He has written a number of short stories. Double Played is his first published work, and he is currently working on a second book.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart for fifty years. They have five children and fifteen grandchildren. His family keeps him busy with school functions and sporting events.
He wrote the book for young girls to read. He has a ten-year-old granddaughter, and he kept her in mind while writing it. Nothing in the book will create discomfort within a family unit.
Stay tuned for E. A. Rager’s second book, set to be released in 2026.