John R. Tunis was hailed as a master author of youth novels and has been thanked by many a sports writer of the previous generations for inspiring them first to read, and then to write. But rumor has it that Tunis himself never viewed himself this way, approaching the writing process not with kids in mind but rather sports lovers. Out of respect for the author’s process and intent—it’s never fun to be misunderstood!—I too choose to view this book not as something fit for my kids’ shelves but for my own. After all, my Odyssey Classic edition is nearly 280 pages of adult themes like business, retirement, death, and beer. The only “kid” that makes any lasting appearance on these pages is “The Kid from Tomkinsville”, an adult pitcher named Roy Tucker.

Fresh from working his grandma’s farm and at the local drugstore in Connecticut, Roy finds his break into Major League baseball by throwing a one-hit game under the watchful eyes of a scout. Then, down at Spring Training in Clearwater Flrorida, Tucker makes the final cut for the Brooklyn Dodgers by showing speed—with some pepper, of course—and grit, proving that even a strong pitcher can be a menace at the plate.

Roy’s rise to fame is far rockier than the heroes of many sports novels, filled with injuries and slumps, near depression and even the death of a teammate. But whenever Tucker needs advice and encouragement most, old Dave, the veteran catcher-turned-manager brings it and spurs him on to greater heights.

This novel covers Roy’s rise through the his first two seasons in the pros, and even though it’s (incredibly) nearly 80 years old, it gave me insights into the game that I hadn’t ever considered before—the various reasons behind players being dropped, the speed with which heroes might rise or fall, or (more practically) the important relationship between catcher and pitcher and the ever-watchful eyes of outfielders. I’ve come to see baseball teams are well-oiled machines whose cogs needs constant adjustment, not the one-man shows so often portrayed through the stats of rising—or falling—stars.

I really enjoyed this book—especially the lingo that really times the piece: “Thassa way to pour it in, Roy old boy!” “He sure can paste that old persimmon.” “Yep, the kid can sure hound that old apple, Roy can!”—and I think I’ll try to seek out the next books in the series following Roy Tucker. If not this season then maybe next.

©2018 E.T.

Read More Baseball Books:

• The Kid from Tomkinsville by John R. Tunis (1940)
• The Catcher in the Wry by Bob Uecker and Mickey Herskowitz (1982)
• Just Show Up by Cal Ripken Jr. and James Dale (2019)