When an official with the National Baseball Hall of Fame asked David Freese late into that glorious October evening for his bat, the understanding was that he’d probably like to keep it one more night, to use in Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.
The bat had just conjured such magic as a two-run triple in the ninth to tie Game 6 and the homer to win one of the most riveting World Series games in history. It might have another hit or two in it. Freese, even then aware of success’ fragility, thought otherwise.
He handed it over.