Jack Keefe

Freddie Smith

Freddie is Jack's loyal friend and confidant, often involved in Jack's personal and professional affairs.

Al Blanchard

Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world.

Simple Simon

Jack and Simple Simon are companions, with Simon often serving as a sidekick or friend to Jack.

Hazel Carney

Hazel and Jack have a romantic relationship, with Hazel being a love interest and source of personal drama for Jack.

Bertha

Bertha and Jack are acquaintances, interacting through their shared connections with Al Blanchard and Freddie Smith.

Eddie Cicotte

Eddie and Jack are baseball colleagues, teammates who interact regularly in the context of their sport.

Al Blanchard

Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world.

Simple Simon

Jack and Simple Simon are companions, with Simon often serving as a sidekick or friend to Jack.

Freddie Smith

Freddie is Jack's loyal friend and confidant, often involved in Jack's personal and professional affairs.

Eddie Cicotte

Eddie and Jack are baseball colleagues, teammates who interact regularly in the context of their sport.

Freddie Smith

Freddie is Jack's loyal friend and confidant, often involved in Jack's personal and professional affairs.

Eddie Cicotte

Eddie and Jack are baseball colleagues, teammates who interact regularly in the context of their sport.

Jack Keefe Stories

The protagonist and narrator, a baseball player whose exploits are chronicled.

A Busher's Letters Home

The narrator and protagonist, a rookie pitcher sold to the White Sox, writing letters to his friend Al about his experiences.

The Busher Comes Back

Narrator and protagonist; reports to San Francisco, pitches well, is recalled by the White Sox, and beats the Athletics and Walter Johnson.

The Busher's Honeymoon

Narrator and protagonist; writes about his marriage, finances, and interactions with Comiskey and Allen.

A New Busher Breaks In

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters about his baseball struggles, fines, and personal life.

The Busher's Kid

Proud father of little Al, reflecting on his son's smile and his own baseball achievements.

The Busher Beats It Hence

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters about his arm trouble and decision to join the world tour.

The Busher Abroad

The narrator and protagonist, a naive and boastful baseball player on a world tour.

I

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters to Al from the ship, pitches in Tokyo, worries about his family.

II

Narrator and pitcher, complains about conditions and makes excuses for his performance.

III

Narrator and protagonist; receives letter from Florrie, sends money, pitches and wins against the White Sox.

IV

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters from Cairo, pitches in a joke game, and interacts with teammates and locals.

The Busher's Welcome Home

Narrator and protagonist; returns to Chicago, learns Florrie is in California, considers federal league offer, pitches poorly in London.

Call for Mr. Keefe!

Narrator and protagonist; discusses his pitching, draft registration, and family life.

Jack the Kaiser Killer

Narrator and protagonist; has enlisted in the U.S. Army and is writing from Camp Grant.

Corporal Punishment

Jack is a corporal at Camp Grant, anxious about being sent to France as a non-commissioned officer. He considers giving up his rank to stay with his family, attends French lessons, leads trench training with enthusiasm, and deals with insubordination from Shorty Lahey and a fresh recruit.

Purls Before Swine

Narrator and protagonist; describes his leave, his correspondence with Lucy Chase, and his military activities.

And Many a Stormy Wind Shall Blow

Narrates his experiences on the ship, including his new nickname and the German language incident.

Private Valentine

Narrator and protagonist, writing letters from France about his army life.

Strategy and Tragedy

Jack writes letters to Al, preparing for Gen. Pershing's visit and outlining his baseball-inspired war strategies.

Decorated

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters from France, gets into a fight with Shaffer over a prank.

Sammy Boy

Narrator and letter writer, serving in the U.S. Army in France.

Simple Simon

Narrator and protagonist; returns home to Chicago, reunites with Florrie and meets his newborn daughter; also recounts the disappearance of Simple Simon in the trenches.

The Busher Reenlists

The narrator and protagonist, deciding between baseball and business after the war.

The Battle of Texas

Narrator and protagonist; writes letters from the train and from Mineral Wells, describes his pitching success and interactions with teammates.

Along Came Ruth

Narrator and protagonist; struggles with home life and baseball, returns to family after Gleason's intervention, then pitches a winning game against Philadelphia.

The Courtship of T. Dorgan

Narrator and protagonist; receives a new contract, arranges a date for Tom Dorgan, and later feels relieved that Miss Mulvihill is engaged to Tom.

The Busher Pulls a Mays

Narrator and protagonist; considers pulling a Mays by walking out on the White Sox due to frustration with Gleason.