[ctorg]

Jack Harrelson sits in a quiet office. There are others around, but no one is talking at all. Chadwick Harrelson has just stormed through, knocking over filing cabinets and shouting like a madman. Jack knows his father’s sanity is questionable, that his tirades can do more harm than good, but he wants to impress him. He wants to put together a team that truly will win. He knows it will make his father happy, and that is what he truly wants to see.

He looks through scouting reports of minor leaguers. One in particular, a 23-year-old first baseman named Jim Gentile, stands out. Scouts have circled him as a future star. The Robins already have a young and talented first baseman in Howard. That makes Gentile expendable. Jack picks up the phone and begins calling around, making offers. The Washington Senators show the most interest. Jack can tell they have had their eye on Gentile, which is good. He manages to convince them to give up promising 1B/OF Bob Allison in exchange. Allison is major league ready, and could contribute to the Robins immediately. Gentile still needs a year or two in the minors. It is a good deal. The men agree on it and Allison is sent to Brooklyn.

Jack sends Earl Robinson back to the minors to clear room on the roster. He also designates Ed Roebuck for assignment and puts him on waivers to bring up Cal McLish, whom the Robins claimed off waivers earlier in the season. Allison will be the new starter in leftfield for the Robins. McLish will share time in the rotation with Newcombe.