# Phil DeC. Ball explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief poetic tribute to Phil DeC. Ball, owner of the St. Louis Browns, celebrating his name and his baseball team's place in another city.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The poem plays on the owner's name and the ironic situation of his ball club being in 'another man's town.'

### Work and Profession

Highlights Phil DeC. Ball's role as a baseball club owner, tying identity to profession.

## Character check-ins

### Phil DeC. Ball

Owner of the St. Louis Browns, celebrated in verse for his name and his baseball club.

## Key lines

> Phil DeC. Ball Owner St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Ball is this gentleman’s name And ball is this gentleman’s game. His ball club is down In another man’s town But I’m pulling for him just the same

Phil DeC. Ball, owner of the St. Louis Browns, has a name that matches his profession. Though his team plays in a city that isn't his own, the speaker still supports him.

_The poem uses wordplay on 'Ball' as both a surname and the sport, and notes the oddity of a team owner operating in a rival city._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/phil-dec-ball
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters