The Natural Strength and Skill Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Wonderboy flashed in the sun. It caught the sphere where it was biggest. A noise like a twenty-one gun salute cracked the sky. There was a straining, ripping sound and a few drops of rain spattered to the ground. The ball screamed toward the pitcher and seemed suddenly to dive down at his feet. He grabbed it to throw to first and realized to his horror that he held only the cover. The rest of it, unraveling cotton thread as it rode, was headed into the outfield. (3.98)

Roy's first at bat is a memorable experience. He's compared to some sort of mythical god like Zeus or Thor, who causes thunder and rain with the hit. The ball seems to have absorbed all of Roy's strength and take on a life of its own, coming apart because of the force with which he connected. Zeus vs. Thor—that would be a skill showdown worth watching.

Quote #8

Everybody agreed that in him the Knights had uncovered something special. (3.118)

It is very unusual for someone in his 30s, like Roy, to just walk on to a pro team and have the skill to start knocking them out of the park. It drives Max Mercy crazy, wondering how Roy got to be so good, but most of Roy's teammates get past wondering and just accept that he's awesome.

Quote #9

He swung with such power you could see a circle of dust lift off the ground as the bat passed over it, yet all it amounted to was breeze. It made many a pitcher feel like a pretty tough hombre to see Roy drag himself away from the plate and with lowered head enter the dugout. (6.14)

After we have seen all that Roy can do, watching him fall is baffling. It baffles Roy, too. Just as in his first at-bat, he's powerful enough to summon up some weather, but this time it's just a breeze instead of a thunderstorm.