Jack Keefe Stories · Character

Al Blanchard

Jack's old pal back in Bedford, the patient ear on the other end of every letter, and the reader's only window into Jack's world.

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

First appearance: Jack Keefe Stories

As a major figure in Jack Keefe Stories, Al Blanchard is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Jack's friend and correspondent, often referred to as Al.

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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…

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Character Web

57 connections

A slice of how Al Blanchard sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Romantic
Professional
Other

Character groups

White Sox teammates
Teammates and military figures
Protagonist
Love interest and teammates

+52 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the emotional/psychological peak occurs when Jack’s April Fool prank—forging a letter from Jo…

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Relationships

Freddie Smith
friendship · positive
Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in… How this plays out →
Jack Keefe
friendship · positive
Marie
romantic · positive
Eddie Cicotte
professional · positive
Bertha
romantic · positive
Kid Gleason
professional · positive
Steve Evans
friendship · positive
Jack Keefe
friendship · positive
Freddie Smith
friendship · positive
Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in… How this plays out →
Kid Gleason
professional · positive
Marie
romantic · positive
Steve Evans
friendship · positive

Freddie Smith
Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in their social and professional circles.
Jack Keefe
Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world.
Marie
Al and Marie have a romantic relationship, with Al showing affection and interest in Marie.
Eddie Cicotte
Al and Eddie are baseball colleagues, interacting frequently as teammates or within the sport's environment.
Bertha
Al and Bertha have a romantic involvement, with Bertha being a significant female figure in Al's life.
Kid Gleason
Al and Kid Gleason have a professional relationship, likely as player and manager or coach.
Steve Evans
Al and Steve are friends and teammates, sharing a bond through baseball and mutual acquaintances.
Jack Keefe
Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world.
Freddie Smith
Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in their social and professional circles.
Kid Gleason
Al and Kid Gleason have a professional relationship, likely as player and manager or coach.
Marie
Al and Marie have a romantic relationship, with Al showing affection and interest in Marie.
Steve Evans
Al and Steve are friends and teammates, sharing a bond through baseball and mutual acquaintances.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

Al Blanchard appears across 28 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Jack Keefe Stories
Jack's friend and correspondent, often referred to as Al.
A Busher's Letters Home
Jack's friend and the recipient of his letters, referred to as 'Al' throughout.
The Busher Comes Back
Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; mentioned throughout as 'Al'.
The Busher's Honeymoon
Recipient of Jack's letters; Jack's old pal from Bedford.
A New Busher Breaks In
Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; referenced throughout as 'Al'.
The Busher's Kid
Jack's friend and recipient of his letters, addressed as 'Al' throughout.
The Busher's Kid
Jack's roommate and teammate, with whom he has a tense argument about finances and the baby.
The Busher's Kid
Jack's wife, who disagrees with him about the baby's smile and cares for little Al.
The Busher Beats It Hence
Recipient of Jack's letters; Jack discusses his plans and the world tour with him.
The Busher Abroad
Jack's friend and correspondent, to whom he writes letters about his adventures abroad.
II
Jack's friend and recipient of the letters.
III
Friend to whom Jack writes; mentioned as recipient of the letter.
The Busher's Welcome Home
Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; mentioned as 'Al' throughout.
Call for Mr. Keefe!
Recipient of Jack's letters; referred to as 'Friend Al' throughout.
Call for Mr. Keefe!
Jack's wife; mentioned as spending money and later running a successful business.
Jack the Kaiser Killer
Jack's friend and the recipient of his letters.
Corporal Punishment
Florrie is Jack's wife. She visits him at Camp Grant with their son little Al, bringing homemade food. Jack worries about leaving her and the baby behind.
Purls Before Swine
Recipient of Jack's letters; referred to as 'Friend Al' throughout.
Private Valentine
Recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'.
Private Valentine
Jack's wife, mentioned as Florrie.
Strategy and Tragedy
Jack's friend and confidant, to whom he writes about Pershing's visit and his troubles with Ernestine.
Sammy Boy
Recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'.
Simple Simon
Jack's friend and confidant; the letters are addressed to him.
The Busher Reenlists
Jack's friend and recipient of his letters.
The Battle of Texas
Recipient of Jack's letters; mentioned as 'Friend Al' throughout.
The Battle of Texas
Jack's wife; surprises him at the hotel before the opening game, arranged by Gleason.
Along Came Ruth
Jack's friend and confidant to whom the letters are addressed.
The Courtship of T. Dorgan
The recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'.

Chapter companion notes

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