Short Fiction · Chapter
Sick ’Em explained
The narrator, a player on the Phillies, recounts the story of two pitchers, Lefty Smith (Smitty) and Fogarty, acquired from Fort Wayne.
What happens
The narrator, a player on the Phillies, recounts the story of two pitchers, Lefty Smith (Smitty) and Fogarty, acquired from Fort Wayne. Smitty, a talented but lazy pitcher, refuses to pitch to his full potential, while Fogarty, his rival, is brought in and pitches a brilliant game against St. Louis. The narrator and others scheme to motivate Smitty by praising Fogarty, leading to a rivalry that might finally get Smitty to pitch to his capabilities.
Themes in this chapter
Masculinity and Sports
The chapter explores the competitive rivalry between Smitty and Fogarty, where pitching prowess is tied to masculine pride and reputation.
Disillusionment and Failure
The team's initial excitement about Smitty's potential turns to disappointment as he fails to perform, reflecting the theme of unmet expectations.
Characters to notice
- Smitty
A talented but lazy pitcher acquired from Fort Wayne, who refuses to pitch to his full potential, frustrating the team.
- Fogarty
Smitty's former teammate from Fort Wayne, who pitches a brilliant game against St. Louis, creating a rivalry with Smitty.
- Red Smith
The team's manager, who is frustrated by Smitty's lack of effort and tries to motivate him.
- Jake
The narrator's confidant, to whom he tells the story in confidence.
Key passages
“In the first place a feller that’s had rotten luck as long as Red is entitled to the credit when his club fin’lly comes through and cops.”
A guy who's had bad luck as long as Red deserves credit when his team finally wins.
The narrator explains why Red should get credit for the team's success.
“He’s a wop and Smith ain’t his real name, but it’s the one he’s went under ever since he started pitchin’.”
He's Italian and Smith isn't his real name, but it's the one he's used since he started pitching.
The narrator reveals Smitty's background and alias.
“He’d begin an innin’ by puttin’ more stuff on the ball than I ever seen, but after he’d threw two or three he’d ease up and lob ’em over.”
He'd start an inning by throwing the ball with more speed than I've ever seen, but after a few pitches he'd ease up and toss them over.
The narrator describes Smitty's frustrating habit of not pitching at full strength.
“Say, they wasn’t no kick comin’ on the way he done the job! One o’ the St. Louis guys got as far as second base and was so surprised that Bill caught him off o’ there flatfooted.”
There was no complaint about how he did the job! One St. Louis player got to second base and was so surprised that Bill caught him off base.
The narrator praises Fogarty's excellent pitching performance against St. Louis.
“He called them St. Louis hitters everything he could think of. When the big Turk whiffed the hull side in the seventh Smitty was so sore he kicked a hole in the ball bag and throwed away his chew.”
He insulted the St. Louis hitters. When the big guy struck out the side in the seventh, Smitty was so angry he kicked a hole in the ball bag and threw away his chewing tobacco.
The narrator describes Smitty's jealous reaction to Fogarty's success.