Jack Keefe Stories · Chapter
The Busher Pulls a Mays explained
Jack Keefe, frustrated with manager Kid Gleason's treatment, considers following Carl Mays' example by walking out on the Chicago White Sox.
What happens
Jack Keefe, frustrated with manager Kid Gleason's treatment, considers following Carl Mays' example by walking out on the Chicago White Sox. After being caught sneaking off to Atlantic City and being pulled from a game early, Jack's resentment grows. He discusses a potential move with Detroit manager Hughey Jennings, who hints interest but notes the difficulty of a trade. Jack also describes the team's struggles with injuries and a tough pennant race.
Themes in this chapter
War and Disillusionment
Jack compares the team's worn-down state to soldiers returning from the Marne, reflecting post-war disillusionment.
Class and Ambition
Jack's desire to leverage a walkout for a better team and pay highlights class tensions and personal ambition in baseball.
Humor and Irony
Jack's naive self-importance and Gleason's sarcastic retorts ('you took a dipper') provide ironic humor.
Characters to notice
- Jack Keefe
Narrator and protagonist; considers pulling a Mays by walking out on the White Sox due to frustration with Gleason.
- Kid Gleason
White Sox manager; confronts Jack about his unauthorized trip to Atlantic City and pulls him from a game early.
- Eddie Cicotte
Teammate; sent ahead to Philadelphia with Jack, later relieves him in the game and pitches a shutout.
- Hughey Jennings
Detroit Tigers manager; hints at interest in acquiring Jack if he leaves the White Sox.
- Charles Comiskey
White Sox owner; mentioned as unlikely to accept cash offers for players.
- Hap Felsch
Teammate; described as lame and unable to cover ground in center field.
Key passages
“Well Al I guess they's no use of a man trying to go along with a mgr. that has went cuckoo and if it wasn't for the rest of the boys on the club I would pull a Mays and walk out on the club”
Jack tells Al that he would quit the team like Carl Mays did, but he stays only for his teammates.
Jack expresses his frustration with Gleason and considers walking out.
“So he says you mean you took a dipper. Well they's no use argueing with a crazy man Al so all as I could do was walk away from him before my temper got the best of me”
Gleason sarcastically accuses Jack of drinking, and Jack walks away to avoid a fight.
Gleason's mockery and Jack's attempt to control his temper.
“He kind of half smiled and give me a kind of a wink and walked away from me and besides he was scared to make it to strong as a mgr. of a club is not supposed to temper with a player on another club.”
Jennings winks and hints at interest in Jack without openly tampering, as that would be against the rules.
Jennings' subtle encouragement for Jack to leave the White Sox.