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Brother Matthias Boutlier, a giant of a man with a gentle soul. Brother Matthias was the Prefect of Discipline at the school, which made him responsible for maintaining order among the boys. But he was much more than a disciplinarian—he was a mentor, a father figure, and the first adult who ever showed George genuine, consistent affection and support. Brother Matthias was a remarkable figure. He stood six feet four inches tall, with a powerful build that commanded respect. He had been an athlete himself in his younger days, and he understood the power of sports to channel youthful energy and build character. He was strict but fair, demanding excellence from the boys under his charge but also treating them with dignity and respect. From the moment George arrived at St. Mary's, Brother Matthias took an interest in him. He saw beyond the rebellious exterior to a boy who was angry, frightened, and desperately in need of guidance. He recognized George's athletic potential and worked to develop it, spending countless hours teaching him the fundamentals of baseball. He also provided the emotional support that George's parents had never given him, becoming a stable presence in a life characterized by instability. George later said of Brother Matthias: "I think I was born as a hitter the first day I ever saw him hit a baseball." Brother Matthias had a powerful swing that sent the ball soaring over the outfield fence, and young George was captivated. He began to emulate the brother's stance, his swing, and his approach to hitting. He spent hours watching Brother Matthias hit fungoes to the outfielders, studying every detail of the swing. The mentorship extended beyond the baseball field. Brother Matthias helped George learn to control his temper, to channel his aggression into his athletic pursuits, and to understand the value of discipline and hard work. He became the emotional anchor George had never had, and George responded to this support with fierce loyalty. He would never forget the kindness Brother Matthias showed him, and later in life, he would repay that kindness in ways both large and small. Twelve Years of Transformation George's twelve years at St. Mary's were not always happy. He suffered from loneliness and homesickness, especially in the early years. He missed the relative freedom of life on the streets, even though that freedom had been dangerous and destructive. He struggled with the rigid discipline of the institution and chafed against its restrictions. But gradually, the institution began to have its intended effect. George learned to follow rules, to work hard, and to channel his energy into productive pursuits. He developed a skill in carpentry and tailoring that gave him a sense of accomplishment. He made friends among the other boys, forming relationships that helped alleviate his loneliness. And most importantly, he found his calling as a baseball player. The baseball diamond became his sanctuary. It was the place where he could escape the regimentation of the institution and express his freedom. It was where he could shine, where his athletic gifts could be fully displayed. He played game after game, often two or three a day, developing his skills through sheer repetition and effort. By the time he reached his late teens, George was a local legend. His pitching had become legendary—he threw with incredible velocity and control, and he had developed a devastating curveball to complement his fastball. He was also beginning to show prodigious power as a hitter, hitting home runs that soared farther than anyone could remember. The other boys at St. Mary's referred to him with a mix