Jack Keefe Stories · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Jack Keefe Stories by Ring Lardner.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Jack Keefe
major
Also known as Jack, Keefe, Corp. Jack Keefe, Private Jack Keefe, Private Keefe, old Jack Keefe, Jack Keefe Stories A Busher, The Busher, dear Jack, Corporal Keefe, Mr. Keefe
Jack arrives in the big leagues convinced of his arm, his judgment, and his way with people, and writes it all down to his pal Al in prose that keeps tripping over its own vanity. His appetites—salary, respect, the last word—collide with managers, teammates, and eventually the Army, and he never quite sees the pattern. The gap between what Jack reports and what his letters betray is the engine of the whole book.
Al Blanchard
major
Also known as Florence, Al, Florrie, Allen, Al Florrie, honest Al, Florrie Al, aunt Allen, Dear Friend Al, Friend Al, Old Friend Al, Honest Al, little Al, Dear Old Al, Old Pal Al, Mrs. Allen, Poor Allen, Al . P.S. Callahan, Al Gleason, Al Comiskey
Al never speaks for himself; he exists as the recipient of Jack's confidences, the friend who knew him before the big leagues and will know him after. He is a ballplayer too, later a soldier, and Jack's need to impress him drives much of the boasting and self-justification. Without Al's silence, Jack's voice would have nowhere to perform.
Kid Gleason
supporting
Also known as Gleason, Kid, So Gleason, Well Gleason
Gleason handles pitchers the way he handles babies—with a mix of patience and blunt truth—and Jack can't decide whether to trust him or resent him. He jollies the left-handers Jack despises, refuses to flatter Jack's arm, and answers complaints with wisecracks about sore-armed pitchers who still have both arms. His running commentary is the closest thing the book has to a reality check on Jack's self-image.
Dutch Schaefer
supporting
Also known as Schaefer, dutch Schaefer, herman Schaefer, finely dutch Schaefer, Schaefer probily, Al dutch Schaefer
Dutch moves through the clubhouse and later the trenches as a hustler and a joker, always working an angle on someone greener than himself. Jack watches him fleece a fellow soldier and files it away as evidence of how the world works, half admiring, half disapproving. He represents the older, sharper side of baseball that Jack is both drawn to and unequipped to match.
Steve Evans
supporting
Also known as Evans, this blind Evans, Steve Evans, This Evans, steve Evans, finely Evans, So Corp. Evans, Corp. Evans
Evans is part of Jack's circle of teammates and correspondents, someone Jack writes about with the casual familiarity of a man who assumes everyone shares his view of things. He drifts through the baseball chapters and into the war ones, a reminder that Jack's world is small and repetitive. His role is to be there—another name in the box score of Jack's life.
Manager Callahan
supporting
Also known as Callahan, Manager Callahan, probily Callahan, finely Callahan, ether Callahan, Callahans
Callahan belongs to the tier of men who decide whether Jack pitches, stays, or ships out, and Jack treats him with the same mixture of deference and private contempt he reserves for all bosses. He is mentioned more than he appears, a name that stands for the machinery of baseball that Jack never quite understands. His presence reminds the reader that Jack's career is not entirely his own to narrate.
Charles Comiskey
supporting
Also known as Comiskey, Charley, Charles A. Comiskey, Well Mr. Comiskey, Mr. Comiskey, Charley Comiskey
The White Sox owner whose wire bought Jack Keefe out of Terre Haute, Comiskey looms as the distant boss every busher's letter home is secretly addressed to.
Johnny Alcock
supporting
Also known as Alcock, Jack, Johnny Alcock, Hello Jack
A fellow soldier in Jack's outfit, Alcock blows cigarette smoke into a bottle and sells it to Simple Simon as German tear gas for eight franks.
Alex McGraw
supporting
Also known as alex Mcgraw, Mcgraw, This smart alex Mcgraw, McGraw
The smart Alex McGraw runs the New York Giants and stands as the rival manager Jack measures himself against whenever the White Sox head east.
Shorty Lahey
minor
Also known as Lahey, Shorty, Al, Shorty Lahey, Al the bird, inspections Shorty Lahey, little Al, Al Shorty Lahey
A baseball player and acquaintance of Jack's.
Violet
supporting
Also known as Violet, Al, Honest Al, Allen, Violet Al, poor little Violet
Violet is the woman Jack's letters keep circling back to, tangled up in the domestic comedy of Florrie, little Al, and Jack's wandering eye.
Simple Simon
minor
Also known as Simple Simon, Al, Simon, Al Simon, finely Simon, poor Simon, Al Simple Simon, Jack Simon
A naive or simple-minded character Jack encounters.
Bertha
minor
Also known as Bertha, Bertha probily, Bertha nether, old Bertha
A woman Jack knows, possibly a landlady or acquaintance.
Marie
minor
Also known as Marie, Marie comeing acrost Indiana Avenue, Sister Marie, May
A woman Jack is interested in, possibly a love interest.
Hughey Jennings
minor
Also known as Jennings, Hughey Jennings
A baseball manager and player, known for his fiery personality.
Miss Krug
minor
Also known as Miss Krug
A woman Jack corresponds with or knows.
Tom Dorgan
minor
Also known as Tom Dorgan, Tom, Dorgan
A friend or acquaintance of Jack's, possibly a fellow soldier.
Miss Mulvihill
supporting
Also known as Miss Mulvihill, the Mulvihill, Dear Miss Mulvihill, Josie Mulvihill
Miss Mulvihill rides home on Jack's lap after a chicken dinner, calls him John the first time she meets him, and leaves Florrie giving Jack the silent treatment.
Hazel Carney
minor
Also known as Hazel Carney, Hazel
A woman Jack knows, possibly a love interest.
Capt. Seeley
minor
Also known as Capt . Seeley, Capt, Seeley
A military officer Jack encounters during his service.
Eddie Cicotte
minor
Also known as Cicotte, Eddie Cicotte, Eddy, So Cicotte, finely Cicotte, Eddie, Ed
A pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate of Jack's.
Walter Johnson
minor
Also known as Walter Johnson, Johnson, Walter, president Johnson
A legendary pitcher, mentioned as a rival.
Rowland
minor
Also known as Rowland, Rowland the mgr
A baseball manager, possibly for the White Sox.
Joe Hill
minor
Also known as Joe Hill, Violet, poor little Violet, Joe Hill Violet, Hill, this Joe Hill
A man involved with Violet, causing conflict with Jack.
Capt. Nash
minor
Also known as Capt . Nash, Capt, Nash, Capt .
A military officer Jack serves under.
Jim Scott
minor
Also known as Scott, Scotty, Jim Scott
A pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate.
Red Sampson
minor
Also known as Red Sampson, Red, Sampson
A baseball player or acquaintance.
Corporal Daly
minor
Also known as Daly, lucky busher Daly, Corporal Daly
A fellow soldier and friend of Jack's in the army.
Mrs. Keefe
minor
Also known as Mrs. Keefe, Mrs. Corp. Keefe
Jack's mother, mentioned in letters.
Freddie Smith
minor
Also known as Freddie Smith, Smith, Well Al, Al
A friend or acquaintance of Jack's.
Chi
minor
Also known as Chi, Jack, Chi White sockee Tong, Jack . Chi, big Jack, Jack . Chi ., old Jack, jack, old Chi, The Busher Reenlists Chi
Jack's nickname for Chicago or a personification of the city.
Sam Crawford
minor
Also known as Crawford, Sam Crawford, sam Crawford
A famous baseball player, mentioned as a contemporary.
Miss Moselle
minor
Also known as Miss Moselle
A woman Jack corresponds with or knows.
Gen. Pershing
minor
Also known as Gen. Pershing, Pershing, Al, Gen. Pershing Al, little Al, Black Jack Pershing, Black Jack, Jack, Jack Pershing, General Pershing
Commander of American forces in WWI, a figure Jack encounters.
Geo. Shaffer
minor
Also known as Geo . Shaffer, Shaffer, big Shaffer, Geo, George Shaffer
A baseball player, possibly a teammate or opponent.
Jack Brady
minor
Also known as Jack Brady, Brady, Jack
A friend or acquaintance of Jack's.
Ted Phillips
minor
Also known as Ted Phillips, Phillips
A baseball player or acquaintance.
Moriarty
minor
Also known as Moriarty, Moriarty Cobb, Cobb
A baseball player or umpire, possibly a rival.
Belden
minor
Also known as Belden, Belden wile, this Belden
A character Jack encounters, possibly a soldier.
Buck Weaver
minor
Also known as Weaver, Buck, Buck Weaver, Al Weaver, Al, Allen, little Al
A baseball player for the White Sox, a teammate of Jack's.
Bob Lee
minor
Also known as Lee, Bob Lee, a Lee
A baseball player or acquaintance.
Ray Schalk
minor
Also known as Schalk, Ray Schalk, Cracker Schalk, Schalkie
Catcher for the White Sox, a teammate of Jack's.
Joe Benz
minor
Also known as Benz, Joe Benz, joe Benz, Joe
A pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate.
Jack Doyle
minor
Also known as Jack Doyle, Doyle, Jack
A baseball player or acquaintance.
Jack Graney
minor
Also known as Graney, Jack, Jack Graney
A baseball player, possibly an opponent.
Shano Collins
minor
Also known as Collins, Shano Collins, Shano, Ed Collins
An outfielder for the White Sox, a teammate.
Nick Altrock
minor
Also known as Altrock, Nick, Nick Altrock
A baseball player and coach, known for comedy.
Hap Felsch
minor
Also known as Felsch, Hap Felsch
An outfielder for the White Sox, a teammate.
Ty Cobb
minor
Also known as Cobb, Ty Cobb, Ty, Tyrus Cobb, Well Cobb
A legendary baseball player, mentioned as a rival.
Nick the Blade
minor
Also known as Nick the Blade, Nick
A character Jack encounters, possibly a soldier.
Joe Jackson
minor
Also known as Jackson, Joe Jackson, Joe O’Neill
A famous outfielder for the White Sox, a teammate.
Tris Speaker
minor
Also known as Speaker, Mr. Speaker
A legendary center fielder, mentioned as a rival.
Thomas Hawks
minor
Also known as the Thomas Hawks, Thomas Hawks, Hawks
A character Jack encounters, possibly a soldier.
Ed Walsh
minor
Also known as Walsh, Ed Walsh
A Hall of Fame pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate.
Sargent Crane
minor
Also known as Sargent Crane, Mrs. Crane
A military officer Jack serves under.
Sargent Avery
minor
Also known as Avery, Sargent Avery
A military officer Jack encounters.
Frank Carson
minor
Also known as Frank, Frank Carson, Carson, Francis
A friend or acquaintance of Jack's.
Ping Bodie
minor
Also known as Bodie, Ping Bodie
A baseball player, possibly a teammate.
Jack Johnson
minor
Also known as Jack Johnson, Jack, Johnson, Hello Jack
A famous boxer, mentioned as a figure.
Joe Tinker
minor
Also known as Tinker, Joe Tinker, Tinkers
A famous baseball shortstop, mentioned as a rival.
Uncle Sam
minor
Also known as Uncle Sam, Listen Keefe, Keefe, Keefe Uncle Sam
Personification of the U.S. government, recruiting Jack.
Bobby Roth
minor
Also known as Roth, Bobby Roth, Bobby
A baseball player or acquaintance.
Carl Mays
minor
Also known as Carl Mays, Mays, Carl, Mr. Mays, a Mays, Al Mays
A baseball pitcher, mentioned as a contemporary.
Jack Casey
minor
Also known as Jack Casey, finely Casey, Casey, Jack, jack
A character Jack encounters, possibly a soldier.
Lefty Williams
minor
Also known as Williams, Lefty Williams, Lefty
A pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate.
Christy Mathewson
minor
Also known as Mathewson
A legendary pitcher, mentioned as a rival.
Red Faber
minor
Also known as Faber, Red, Red Faber
A pitcher for the White Sox, a teammate.
Jim Thorp
minor
Also known as Thorp, jim Thorp, Indian Thorp, indian Thorp
A famous athlete and soldier, encountered by Jack.
Larry Doyle
minor
Also known as Larry Doyle, Larry, Doyle, larry Doyle
A baseball player, mentioned as a rival.
Silk O'Loughlin
minor
Also known as Silk O’Loughlin, Silk
A famous baseball umpire, mentioned in games.
Marie Antoinette
minor
Also known as Miss Marie Antoinette, Miss Antoinette, Marie Antoinette, sweet Marie
A woman Jack is infatuated with, possibly a nickname.
Clark Griffith
minor
Also known as Griffith
A baseball manager and executive, mentioned.
Sir Thomas Lipton
minor
Also known as sir Thomas Lipton, Sir Thomas Liptons
A famous tea merchant and yachtsman, mentioned.
Chick Gandil
minor
Also known as Gandil
A first baseman for the White Sox, a teammate.
Sebastian
minor
Also known as Sebastian, Mrs. Sebastian, Nick Sebastian
A character Jack encounters, possibly a soldier.
Van Hindenburg
minor
Also known as Van Hindenburg
German military commander, mentioned as an enemy.
Lucy Chase
minor
Also known as Chase, Miss Lucy Chase, Miss Chase, Lucy
A woman Jack knows, possibly a love interest.
Ernestine
minor
Also known as Ernestine
A woman Jack knows, possibly a love interest.
Harry Friend
minor
Also known as Harry Friend, Harry
A friend or acquaintance of Jack's.
