The Busher Comes Back explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Self-Aggrandizement and Naivety

  Jack boasts about his pitching, dismisses Walter Johnson's speed, and believes he can beat any hitter, showing his inflated self-confidence.

• Masculinity and Bravado

  Jack's competitive bravado is evident in his desire to show up Violet and the Tigers, and his aggressive pitching style.

• Class and Ambition

  Jack's ambition to return to the majors and earn more money reflects his class aspirations and desire for upward mobility.

Characters to notice

• Jack Keefe

  Narrator and protagonist; reports to San Francisco, pitches well, is recalled by the White Sox, and beats the Athletics and Walter Johnson.

• Al Blanchard

  Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; mentioned throughout as 'Al'.

• Violet

  Jack's former romantic interest; he breaks off with her after she calls him a 'busher' and sends her a postcard after his win.

• Hazel Carney

  Jack's new fiancée; a 'great big stropping girl' he plans to marry.

• Kid Gleason

  White Sox assistant manager; jokes with Jack and acknowledges his improvement.

• Manager Callahan

  White Sox manager; gives Jack a chance to pitch and praises his performance.

Key passages

• “I pitched against Oakland up home and shut them out with two hits. I made them look like suckers Al.”

  Jack shut out Oakland with only two hits, making the opposing team appear foolish.

  Jack's boastful account of his early success in the Coast League.

• “I come up in the eighth with two out and the score still nothing and nothing. ... I slapped it over first base. ... Bodie scored and I had them beat.”

  With the game scoreless in the eighth inning, Jack got a hit that drove in the winning run.

  Jack's key hit off Walter Johnson that won the game.