Jack Keefe Stories · Chapter
The Busher Beats It Hence explained
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his decision to join the White Sox and Giants world tour after initially planning to go to Bedford with his family.
What happens
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his decision to join the White Sox and Giants world tour after initially planning to go to Bedford with his family. He describes a disappointing game in San Francisco where his arm gave out, and explains how he was persuaded to make the trip by McGraw and Callahan, who claimed President Wilson and the King of Japan insisted on his participation to avoid a war.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Aggrandizement and Naivety
Jack boasts about his pitching ability and fan adoration, but naively believes the fabricated story about President Wilson and the King of Japan.
Humor and Irony
Jack's gullibility is highlighted when he accepts the absurd claim that his participation is needed to prevent war with Japan.
Characters to notice
- Jack Keefe
Narrator and protagonist; writes letters about his arm trouble and decision to join the world tour.
- Al Blanchard
Recipient of Jack's letters; Jack discusses his plans and the world tour with him.
- Manager Callahan
White Sox manager; persuades Jack to stay for an exhibition game and later to join the world tour.
- Alex McGraw
Giants manager; talks to Jack about his arm and helps convince him to make the trip.
- Charles Comiskey
White Sox owner; receives a letter from President Wilson about the tour.
- Dutch Schaefer
Mentioned indirectly as a teammate; Jack refers to the team's travel.
Key passages
“I guess they must of been 40,000 people there and I wisht you could of heard them yell when my name was anounced to pitch.”
Jack claims there were 40,000 fans cheering for him in San Francisco.
Jack exaggerates the crowd size to emphasize his popularity.
“I says You cant get me to make no trip so you might is well not do no more talking a bout it”
Jack initially refuses to join the world tour.
Jack's stubbornness is shown before he changes his mind.
“Comiskey just got a letter from president Wilson the President of the united states and in the letter president Wilson says he had got an other letter from the king of Japan who says that they would not stand for the White Sox and giants comeing to Japan un less they brought all there stars a long”
Callahan tells Jack that President Wilson and the King of Japan demanded the star players join the tour.
This fabricated story is used to manipulate Jack into agreeing to go.