# Alibi Ike — Short Fiction character guide

> Alibi Ike in Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ike

**First appearance:** 0016-alibi-ike

## Who they are

Star pitcher who can't let a single mistake stand unexplained, turning every bad hop and bad inning into an elaborate, self-defeating excuse.

## Relationships

### [Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carey)

_rivalry_

Alibi Ike and Carey are competitors, possibly in sports or business, with frequent clashes.

### [Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carey)

_rivalry_

Alibi Ike and Carey are competitors, possibly in sports or business, with frequent clashes.

### [Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carey)

_rivalry_

Alibi Ike and Carey are competitors, possibly in sports or business, with frequent clashes.

## In the story

### [My Roomy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/my-roomy)

A veteran player who provides comic relief and commentary on the rookie's antics.

### [Alibi Ike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/alibi-ike)

Introduced as the titular character, a talented but endlessly excusing baseball player.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i)

Introduced as Frank X. Farrell, a talented hitter with a compulsive need to excuse every action, from his performance to his personal habits.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii)

Shows his skill at poker while pretending to be ignorant, and uses elaborate excuses to leave the game.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii)

Central figure in the chapter, constantly making excuses for his plays.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv)

Falls for Dolly and receives daily letters from her, which he tries to conceal with elaborate lies.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v)

Ike becomes engaged to Dolly, tries to hide it, and is eventually left by her.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi)

In a hitting slump, striking out and not making excuses; agrees to go scout for the team to visit Dolly.

### [Bedtime Stories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/bedtime-stories)

A baseball player whose constant excuses and self-justifications mask his insecurities.

### [Bluebeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/bluebeard)

One of the former suitors who arrives with the brothers to save the wife.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/alibi_ike
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters