Short Fiction · Chapter
The Holdout explained
The chapter follows a baseball manager's efforts to re-sign first baseman Bill Hagedorn after a disappointing season.
What happens
The chapter follows a baseball manager's efforts to re-sign first baseman Bill Hagedorn after a disappointing season. The manager, Frank, is tasked by owner Mr. Edwards to convince players to accept salary cuts. Hagedorn is holding out for a $6,000 contract, while the team offers $4,000. Frank uses a strategy of publicly praising a rookie, Lahey, to pressure Hagedorn. Hagedorn threatens to join a players' union and go into business, but Frank sees through his bluffs and predicts he will eventually sign for the lower amount.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Aspiration
The conflict between the team owner's desire to cut costs and the player's attempt to secure a higher salary highlights the economic struggles and aspirations within the sport.
Satire of Media and Business
The manager's manipulation of the press to pressure Hagedorn satirizes the relationship between sports, media, and business tactics.
Characters to notice
- Bill Hagedorn
The holdout first baseman, refusing to sign for a pay cut and threatening to join a players' union or go into business.
- Mr. Edwards
The team owner, concerned about finances and looking to trim the salary list, relying on Frank to handle the negotiations.
- Mr. Grant
Mentioned as a player who was overpaid, earning $7,000 but pitching poorly.
Key passages
“If Mr. Edwards ever got hold o' the truth o' the Hagedorn business, him and I'd be just as clubby as Lord George and the Kaiser.”
If Mr. Edwards knew the real story about Hagedorn, our relationship would be as friendly as that of two bitter enemies.
Frank admits he has deceived his boss about the Hagedorn situation.
“It's just as easy to convince a ball player that his pay ought to be trimmed as it is to score twelve runs off Alexander.”
Convincing a player to take a pay cut is as difficult as scoring many runs off a great pitcher like Alexander.
Frank uses a baseball analogy to emphasize the difficulty of his task.
“He's just as game a ball player, though, as you'll find. The minute he trots out there in the old orchard he's a different guy, afraid o' nothin'.”
He is a very courageous player on the field, completely fearless once he is playing.
Frank acknowledges Hagedorn's talent and bravery as a player, despite his off-field issues.