On the Coffee Table: Ring Lardner

Title: You Know Me Al: A Busher's Letters
Author: Ring Lardner

via Goodreads

I picked up You Know Me Al on the recommendation of Laoch of Chicago who does his blogging over at Counterintuitivity.  The busher in question is Jack Keefe, a fictional baseball pitcher in the 1910s.  Al is his best friend back home to whom he writes his letters.  The language is earthy including the many misspellings of an uneducated man.

We get a very intimate view of Jack through his letters.  Frankly, he's an idiot.  Oh, he's very talented but constantly overestimates his own abilities and his value to his team, the Chicago White Sox.  He's also easily manipulated by those around him: women, teammates, coaches, team owners, etc.  He actually reminds me quite a lot of Forrest Gump - more the book character than the one played by Tom Hanks in the movie.

The book offers a view of a different America from today's and a baseball era long before utility infielders were millionaires.  No airplanes, all long-distance travel managed by train or boat.  The control of owners over players was total.  It doesn't help matters that, among many other flaws, Jack is terrible at managing his money.  Future Hall of Famers abound: Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, Chief Bender, John McGraw, etc.

You Know Me Al is a charming, light read.  I don't know if it would hold much interest for one not a baseball fan but I enjoyed it.