Title: Glory Days
Author:
theladyscribePairing: Jared/Jensen, brief Jensen/OFC
Rating: R, for language and some sex
Word Count: ~15,400
Short Summary: Have some faith. This is baseball; anything can happen.
Notes: Written for the
j2_everafter challenge. Loosely based on
Angels in the Outfield. Also a part of the
Bruce Springsteen Fic Challenge. Disclaimer, acknowledgements, and full summary at the master post. More detailed notes can be found at the end of the story.

Master Post |
Part One |
Part TwoDisclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the people, places, or things mentioned within this story. Though most of the characters are based on real people, they are extremely fictionalized and are essentially unrelated to their original inspirations. Any similarities to the actual results of the 2009 baseball season are purely coincidental; I do not have prophetic abilities.
Betas: This story would not have been possible without the marvelous team of people who worked with me.
elaeazeph kept me focused on the plot and the baseball.
joans23 made sure I didn't get too caught up in the game and let me know when the story was incomprehensible to baseball virgins.
neetha was the fresh pair of eyes at the end of the tunnel.
aislinamara helped me fill out my roster, braving the spoilery wilds of IMDb to track down those elusive international players.
useyourlove provided me with a steady stream of baseball photos to boost the muses and gave me permission to use one as the title banner and story icon. My eternal gratitude also goes to the rest of my flist as well, for the moral support and gleeful encouragement.
Full Summary: Eight years after a career-ending knee injury, former All-Star Jensen Ackles finds himself coaching the inept Los Angeles Angels. Things are going relatively well until he learns that the front office has just traded the star slugger for prospects and a veteran pitcher - Jared Padalecki, Jensen's former teammate and one-time lover. By the time the All-Star break rolls around, the Angels are dead last in the Major Leagues, Jensen and Jared still don't speak to each other, and Jensen is in danger of losing his job. Can the season be salvaged? Will Jensen and Jared ever be on speaking terms again? Will Jensen be able to keep his job? It'll take a miracle.
( And, timestamps. )