The Shortstop

by Zane Grey

Chase Alloway, age seventeen and the sole financial support of his mother and crippled brother, decides that his factory job is an underpaid dead end position. Against his mother's advice and wishes, he quits, and leaves home to become a professional baseball player

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Fiction, Westerns, Young Adult, Audiobook, Historical

228 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Pearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Doubledf99.99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully fast paced story about a fictional baseball team playing in Ohio at the turn of the 20th century. The novel was written in 1906, by Zane Grey.
What I took away from the book, was baseball back then was played on an intense level, that locker room chemistry is important, and the manager has to wear alot of caps.
When the Kid first joins the team, one of the players takes him under their wing and explains the facts of baseball life on the field and off the field to the Kid.
Cautions the Kid about the hazards of 'the head-first slide'.
The Chapter "Sunday Ball" was one of my favotites.

[carl theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salver!
Jollier!
You mushy soft soaper!

You might hear such scandalous name calling if you had
a run-in with your base-ball teammates in 1907.

'The Shortstop' gives a great view of base-ball in
the turn into the 20th century, which isn't played much
differently now, part of its charming fascination.

Yes, some of the lingo differs, the cursing for one;
if you want to rile the opposing pitcher yell:

"Mugg's Landing! Irish stew! Ras-pa-tas!"

Also base-ball is hyphenated, every little town has its
heroes, the teams go by the town name, no nicknames
such as Tigers or Red Stockings, and compete with sometimes
savage rivalry, giving real meaning to 'home field advantage'.

Sometimes a ruckus breaks out on the field and just
as it is today, "great rivalry, great provocation", but
the actually fighting? "it almost never happens".

The story takes place in Ohio, which is where my
parents are from and all their relatives so fun
to hear all the small town names , Mansfield,
Upper Sandusky, Galion, our hero ends up on the
Findlay team, where a niece of mine currently attends
college.

Yes there are scandals, steroids? drug tests?, well, no,
but how about whether or not to play on Sunday?

Usually western writer Zane Grey does a swell job
on this tale of life and the diamond in a simpler era
but you still had to be tough on and off the field to
make your way in world.

If you read this story I hope you find it like I did,
"Sweeter 'n a basket of red monkeys."

[Kimbolimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite by accident that I stumbled upon this little treasure by Zane Gray. Bet you didn't know that originally Zane wanted to be a pro baseball player and went to college on a baseball scholarship. This is one of his first books. There is quite a bit of politically incorrect terms used throughout the book, but it was written at the turn of the century, what do you expect. There are some great moral issues brought up throughout the book that would be fun for family discussion (to help re-enforce the lessons or to help think of better solutions). I loved looking at the early baseball scene, I never realized that the early players not only had to have skills on the field but they had to put up with some unruly fans that threw firecrackers at them, and rocks and cans and all sorts of insults, too.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read a book from my dad's youth and feel his love of baseball as I read. ⚾️

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool little baseball story about a good young man doing his best to earn a living to take are of his widowed mother and handicapped brother. Fun insights into early baseball history. A little romance, a little intrigue, mostly baseball and a clean-cut search for a place in life. First published in 1909. I listened to this book as a free audio download from LibriVox.org.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father loved the Zane Grey westerns and talked about reading then when he was a youngster. We both had a love of baseball and he had this 1914 edition of this book. A very nice piece in our library. I read it many years ago and loved it. Will read it again, soon!

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale of a young man trying to avoid life as a factory worker by playing baseball. While Zane Grey is certainly more well known as an author of Westerns, this was a good tale of what life was like for a ballplayer in the early 20th century.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Norman Rockwell painting. Classic Americana!

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool rendition of small town ball in the 1930s, complete with awesome detail of the action on the field and in the clubhouse. Featuring barely intelligible slang of the day. And a love interest with a protective daddy. But the plot played out before it should have. Maybe that's normal for Zane Grey. I'm just rediscovering him after about 40 years.

[Axslingin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a great baseball story, this book fits the bill. But it's about much more than baseball; it's a story of a boy becoming a man, of perseverance, of being the best you can be. If you've ever been part of a team, or an organization, or the military, if you've ever felt a sense of responsibility, you can relate to this tale.

Chase Alloway was just a boy-a young man if you will, but out of necessity, he needed to grow up fast; his family depended on it. This was long before food stamps and section 8 housing; you did whatever you had to do. Chase didn't have much education or life experience; but he could play ball, and with raw, natural talent, and motivation to do something with it, he hit the road with the intention of using what skills he had to honor the responsibility he had taken upon himself to support his impoverished family.

Imagine a 17-year-old kid, hopping trains, not knowing where his next meal was coming from, witnessing some of the worst life had to offer, and not even sure where he was going. But he never wavered from his goal-well, that's not quite accurate; doubts did spring into his head from time to time, but his resolve was stronger than the voices in his head (and in all our heads), telling him he couldn't do it.

There was a recurring theme of violent provincialism throughout the book, and as far as I know, it no longer exists on the level that Zane Grey describes in this story. Chase's first gig as a ball player nearly got him killed (or at least beaten to a pulp), and as he moved on, the crowds didn't get much friendlier. Except for the home crowd of course. But even they could be belligerent if a player wasn't performing well. In that respect, some things never change.

As if dealing with hostile fans wasn't bad enough, there were the players themselves. You don't just show up one day and expect the team to accept you as some kind of brother. You had to earn that privilege. It took a little time for Chase to get that, but fortunately, he had a few people around that gave him a few pointers. That included kicking some ass to get some respect. Either that, or you could be the team punching bag. It didn't matter that Chase could play. He had to learn to deal with people, and in his case, it was on the job training. Fortunately, his befriending of the team mascot offered an invaluable guide-from the most unlikely of places.

Then there was the girl, and the notoriety, and the money-all of it handled quite awkwardly at first, but they were all lessons in life, and Chase was learning. How did it all end up? Well, the title is an indicator; he became a shortstop, but beyond that, Zane Grey will tell you the rest with far more eloquence than I ever could. A great story, 4 stars...

[Becky S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler: Baseball fan? This is the book for you! Written in 1909 Zane Grey the author takes you back to the beginnings of baseball. A young boy age 17 had to quit school to earn money for his family. He worked in a factory but was getting no where so he quit and goes on a journey to follow his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player.
He catches a train and has some hard breaks but eventually finds a manager that believes in him despite his appearance. He learns the ropes of playing on a minor-league team. Wins the hearts of the town and falls in love.
The book uses a lot of the old baseball jargon and sometimes I have no idea what they are talking about but you kind of get swept up in the excitement of the game so it doesn't matter. I wish baseball today was a little like baseball back then. Now it seems to be so easy because everything has been done. Back then it was all new, the curve ball the home runs, the umpire calling a game or kicking someone out...exciting.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Short Stop isn’t a book one would normally attribute to Zane Gray. I have read many of his westerns but this is completely different. Novels about baseball aren’t very numerous and this one only increases the questions as to why this is. The Short Stop is about baseball in its early days. Professional teams were strictly segregated but this had no ill-effect on its popularity. The book is overflowing with slang and baseball terminology no longer used and long forgotten. The professional organization of baseball at the close of the 19th and early years of the 20th Centuries was little better than slavery for the players but their love for the game more than compensated them for their lack of earned riches. The reader doesn’t have to love baseball or even sports as this story is basically the story of a youth facing a new and independent existence in a hard adult world.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked a random Zane Grey imagining I'd be reading a Western and what I got instead was a book about a young man during the Depression years who finds a living playing baseball. He was a thoughtful young man who sought to do right and live honorably which served him and his community well.

Incidentally, I originally picked this book up at the library, had to return it before I finished it but when I went back they had discarded it, which has happened to me with 5 other books this year. I was able to read this through the work of Project Gutenberg.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little story about a small town boy trying to make it in big league baseball. Some of the language used at the turn of the century would not be politically correct now. I've always thought of Zane Grey as a writer of Westerns but this was a delightful story with humor, a little romance, kindheartedness, and fine descriptions that Zane Grey is known for.

Readers who like this may also like "You Know Me Al" by Ring Lardner.

[Marty Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, a bit dated but fun read if you are a fan of baseball. Interesting to see what life was like for the early baseball players and how they had to deal with, fans, other players and the temptation of fixing games. A general story of having a goal and doing your best to succeed, of not giving up when knock down.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book about a person who starts playing baseball for money and becomes a baseball star.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great baseball story.

[Phil Clymer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice change from Grey's usual western themes.

[Clint Morey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally the author writes westerns but I'm glad he took a break from that to write this baseball story set in a time when baseball was the national game.

[Don Henwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

One that's not in a saddle. Read it, you'll love it too.

[Ronda Wian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball .

Enjoyed the book very much. Early baseball the beginning and how the players lived back then. A must read for anyone that like baseball.

[Janet]

One summer day, I was entering Brewers stadium with a friend. I was wearing a t shirt featuring old-time baseball players in a cornfield (a clear reference to A Field of Dreams). An older usher commented on my shirt, and then said, "You should read The Short-Stop, by Zane Grey. It's the best novel about baseball ever written."
I went home and downloaded a copy from Project Gutenberg, but did not read it until now. Set in the late 19th/early 20th century, it tells of story of Chase Alloway, a 17 yo boy who has been helping support his mother and younger brother since age 12 by working in a factory. His father is long gone. When his boss refuses to raise his wages beyond $6 a week--for long, hard days 6 days a week--he decides to try his luck as a baseball player.
From there, we go along for the ride as Chase hops trains to towns with teams, where he tries to "catch on," failing miserably at first, but finally landing and thriving in Findlay, Ohio.
Is this the best baseball novel ever written? Probably not, though I have not been too impressed by the others. Chase is a good guy, though he has his temptations, and he sticks to his principles and his dream. He's likable, and after a few repugnant episodes, so are his teammates, and we root for them all the way to the satisfying end.

[Ben Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read on the incredible journey of the minor leagues in the early 1900’s. From trying to catch on to local town teams and the risk of being a ringer in the lower leagues. Playing on Sundays, tanking games for gamblers, or trying to find room and board all a interesting endeavor.

Also hilarious of the language and names used to put down, mock and/or insult teammates, umpires, and opposing players.

Very enjoyable book.

[Phil Krogh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler: Mittie-Maru, the team's self-appointed mascot, is “a little hunchback” who sleeps inside an old furnace in an abandoned brick factory and saves the day by replacing the manager in the final innings to coach the team to a come-from-behind pennant win.
This was my first Zane Grey novel and I was pleasantly surprised.

[Clarissa Unruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay I’ve finally read a Zane grey:) Shortstop did not disappoint! Made me laugh out loud. Loved how hard that kid worked to get what he wanted. If all his books are like this I can see why people love his writing

[Peter Wesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me feel like a kid again.

This book, though written over 4 decades before I was born, reminded me of the innocence and my love for baseball in my childhood. I needed this at this time of my life. My spirits have been lifted.

[Beatrice Moffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love old old books, and this one held true to form.
The author was able to show what ball players went through to get anywhere in baseball back
In the day. It had a nice storyline with a few twists and turns that kept it interesting.♥️

[Shirley Reimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love old books!
A lovely read - romance included- and the old fashioned style and setting! I'd recommend it to any!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of baseball and young love.

Thoroughly enjoyed this short book about baseball at the turn of the century, 20th century that is. A coming of age story of a 17 year old with dreams of making it in the big leagues.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good olde time baseball book.