Jake conveyed exactly the right combination of enthusiasm and humility. The questions continued for over an hour as the room crackled with the collective excitement of the perfect game along with the Diamondbacks’ obvious trajectory toward the playoffs. Players began drifting in from the locker room in twos and threes, collecting their wives or girlfriends as they headed home. Because he had to ice down his arm, Jake was the last player to emerge. Still more excited than a kid on Christmas, he grabbed Lauren and swung her around in a circle before they headed toward the parking lot. The team lot was now empty except for the limousine. Jake explained he had caught a ride to the game with another player, so the two of them could ride together afterwards. He waved the chauffeur back, holding the door for Lauren before bounding in behind her. He grabbed a bottle of Dom Pérignon from the refrigerator, opened the moon roof, and popped the cork into the steamy night air.
