128 Days to Opening Day 2008

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 128 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s excerpt is from Dune by Frank Herbert. This is early in the book after House Atreides has taken over rulership of Arrakis, which is really part of a plot by the evil House Harkonnen. Duke Leto Atreides is checking out the room at a reception…Lord, beer me strength.

Nearby, more an outflanker than a member of the group, stood Duncan Idaho in a glittering dress uniform, flat face unreadable, the curling black hair neatly combed. He had been summoned back from Fremen and had his orders for Hawat – “Under pretext of guarding her, you will keep the Lady Jessica under constant surveillance.”

The Duke glanced around the room.

There was Paul in the corner surrounded by a fawning group of the younger Arrakeen richece, and, aloof among them, three officers of the House Troop. The Duke took particular note of the young women. What a catch a ducal heir would make. But Paul was treating all equally with an air of reserved nobility.

He’ll wear the title well, the Duke thought, and realized with a sudden chill that this was another death thought.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.