Al Capone Shines My Shoes

For Moose Flanagan, the game of baseball offers a much-needed escape from the stresses of his life: “There’s nothing like baseball,” he says, “to get your mind off of things you’d rather not think about” (9). Also, as “America’s pastime” in the 1930s, baseball provides a structured means for the novel’s characters to test their own agility, strength, and sense of self-worth, as well as the roles of others in their lives. For instance, Moose’s friend Jimmy disappoints him with his lack of ability in the game, which leads to a temporary rift between them. Jimmy, it turns out, has been ostracized at school because if “you can’t play ball, you’re no one” (78). He particularly resents Moose for befriending Scout—a gifted player who bullies Jimmy—believing that Moose values Scout over himself solely for Scout’s skill at baseball. Over the following weeks, Jimmy practices throwing a baseball in secret, hoping to eventually win Moose’s respect.

Later, when Piper and Moose debate the relative abilities of boys and girls, Piper cites Annie’s mastery of baseball as proof that girls can be just as capable as boys. Further, at the story’s climax, Annie leverages her virtuosity at the game to help save Moose and others by hitting their would-be kidnappers with stones.