Heat

Without baseball, his “real best friend,” Michael feels “more alone than ever” (91). Even though “Michael thought he knew everything about being alone” (91), he discovers that, without baseball, he handles being alone differently. Even Manny, or the promise of seeing Ellie again, are “[not] enough” (92) for him. He talks himself into attending the next Clippers game, but when he goes to watch, “it [makes] him feel worse” (93).

In one outstanding play, Maria ensures a Clippers victory. Exhilarated by the surprising victory, Manny shouts that it was “the greatest ending of the whole year!” (95). Manny notices that Michael seems down, but Michael affirms that he is fine. That is, until he notices Mr. Gibbs, the Grand Concourse coach, waving him over to talk.

Mr. Gibbs tells Michael that he has called his home, and called his father’s work. Michael grows nervous and “[wants] Carlos here with him” (96). Mr. Gibbs wonders how Michael and Carlos “[are] getting by” (97), and Michael blurts out that Carlos works two jobs. He notices Mr. Gibbs talking “like they were on the same page […][even though] they [aren’t] even in the same book” (97). Mr. Gibbs gets Michael to sit down on the bench with him while the Clippers clean up the field.

Mr. Gibbs assures Michael that he “[wants] to help” (98) and offers to help Carlos figure things out back at their apartment. He explains that “sometimes it’s the grown-ups who act like children” (98) in situations like this one. When Michael starts to cry, recognizing that Mr. Gibbs knows he is not 14 like Danny Almonte, Mr. Gibbs reminds him that there’s “no crying in baseball” (99).

When Mr. Minaya drops Michael off at home, he runs upstairs, “[makes] himself a humongous chocolate milk shake,” and watches the Yankees game, which is on “Regular TV” (100) that night. On the broadcast, Michael learns that it is Family Night, and so some players are on the field. Even though El Grande is not pitching that night, the camera pans to his family, explaining that it is “unusual” (101) for his children to attend the game when another player pitches. The oldest daughter, the announcer explains, is “Elisa Garcia Gonzalez,” and she is “beautiful” (101). Michael recognizes that Ellie is El Grande’s daughter.

Mrs. Cora accompanies Carlos and Michael, as “honorary grandma” (102), to Mr. Amorosa’s office to have their picture taken. Mr. Amorosa gives Michael “a baseball signed by the Yankee starting pitchers, including El Grande, and a Bronx Good Citizen plaque” (102). The 10-minute ceremony ends and the cameras, as well as Mr. Amorosa, disappear quickly.

Michael had asked Manny to come to the ceremony, “knowing he would” (103), and he asks Manny to walk home with him that day. As Michael stuffs his tie into his khakis, Manny expresses his relief. Michael, though, is still worried about ACS.

The boys enjoy the walk home in “the sound of the day, of the city” (104) that surrounds them. Michael is absorbed in his inward thoughts, about where he finds the most peace, but Manny wants to discuss the fact that Ellie is El Grande’s daughter. Manny tells him “she likes you” (105), yet Michael continues to think up reasons why she comes to the park that don’t have to do with him. When he points out that Ellie kept a secret from him, Manny points out that “people sometimes have a good reason for holding stuff back” (105).

Michael admits that he wants to see Ellie again. He then thinks of many reasons why she will not return, but Manny encourages him. He recognizes that Michael needs “a good thing” (107) in his life. Michael admits that his friend is right, and Manny, who is “more graceful than all the people who called him No Neck knew”(107), dances on the street.