Meeting Jake Macon.

Andy was the very best baseball card collector in the world.

He had Reggies, Willies, Babes, and Shoeless Joes. But his favorite cards were for Jake Macon, the best baseball player ever.

In fact, there came a day when--by clever trading and chewing lots of sugar-free bubble gum--Andy had collected all the Jake Macon cards there ever were. They were stored in shoe boxes stacked to the ceiling in his room. Andy had always wanted to meet Jake Macon. Maybe now he would.

Andy's friends came to the door.

"Can Andy play baseball with us in the park across the street?" his friend Sally asked Andy's mother.

But Andy just shook his head. "Jake might call any minute," he said.

So Andy missed lots of great baseball games while he waited for a phone call from Jake Macon.

One day the phone rang, but it wasn't Jake Macon. It was the president of the World Council of Baseball Card Stores.

"Do you have all the Jake Macon cards?" the president asked.

"Uh-huh," Andy said.

"What'll you take for them?" the president asked. "Fossils? Bottle caps? Arrowheads?"

"They're not for trade," Andy said.

"I'll be right over," said the president.

Soon, the president and his assistant arrived. In Andy's room, they stared at the boxes and boxes of Andy's card collection.

"I'll give you a lifetime supply of sugar-free bubble gum for these cards," the president said.

Andy looked at the boxes and boxes of baseball cards.

"I'm kind of tired of bubble gum," sighed Andy. "Besides, I need these cards so I can meet Jake Macon."

The president's assistant whispered to the president.

"We own his contract?" said the president back to his assistant.

The assistant flipped open her cell phone. "I'll make the arrangements," she said.

Soon they heard the very loud thump-thump-thumping of a helicopter. It landed on Andy's lawn, and a broad-shouldered man in a baseball uniform jumped out holding his ears.

"It's Jake Macon!" Andy shouted.

They ran outside.

"Jake, I'd like you to meet Andy," said the president.

"Yeah, hi Ernie," said Jake, not looking at Andy. He was unhappy.

"Uh, the name is Andy, sir ..." said Andy.

Jake turned to the president. "I'm sorry, but I'm tired of this," Jake said. "Ten helicopter rides. Ten supermarket grand openings. I don't like helicopter rides. Or supermarkets. Too noisy. And now I have to meet somebody named Arnie?"

"It's Andy," said Andy.

Jake frowned. "I just want to play baseball. Not one more helicopter. Not one more supermarket. And not one more Angie."

"Hey!" said Andy. "It's Andy--not Angie!"

"Don't worry, sir," the president's assistant whispered. "We own his contract."

Suddenly, Andy had an idea.

"Excuse me," he said. "I'll trade for my cards now."

"Ah, that's better," the president said. "Name the trade. Comic books? Marbles?"

"I want Jake's contract," Andy said.

"WHAT?" said Jake and the president.

"Jake's contract," said Andy. "That's what I want."

"Out of the question!" boomed the president.

"Now be reasonable, Avery," said Jake.

"It's Andy!" said Andy.

But the president's assistant whispered to the president, "Baseball cards don't argue; and they go where you tell them. And they don't mind helicopter rides or supermarket noise."

"Hmmm," said the president. "It's a deal!"

So the president's assistant handed Jake's contract to Andy. Then they took the baseball cards and drove away. The helicopter thump-thumped into the sky and disappeared.

When they were gone, Jake shook his head and laughed. "Well, Archie," he said, "I guess you're the boss. What'll it be?"

Andy pointed to the park across the street. "First," he said, "let's play baseball with my friends. And my name is Andy."

Jake watched the kids playing baseball. A big smile spread slowly across his face. "I haven't played much baseball lately," he said. "What did you say your name was?"

"It's Andy. And I haven't played much baseball lately, either."

"Well, Andy," said Jake, "I've got just one thing to say. Play ball!"

And they went across the street and did just that.