The Drawing Card

Introduction

“The Drawing Card” is a story that delves into the world of boxing and the sudden rise of an unexpected athlete who transitions from baseball to the boxing ring. The narrative explores themes of fame, skill disparity, and the commercialization of sports, focusing on the protagonist’s ambition and the reactions of those around him.

Featuring Kid Allison. First published in The Last of the Trunk Och Brev I Urval (Paradox Press, March 2007).

Summary

The story opens with Mr. Silent Garfinkle, a boxing manager, expressing his frustration over the disruption in the boxing world caused by Bart Spears, a baseball pitcher turned boxer. Garfinkle, alongside his associates Foxy Reynolds and Kid Fields, discusses the impact of Spears on the boxing scene. Spears, having defeated two unskilled opponents from the baseball world, has drawn significant attention and large crowds, much to the chagrin of professional fighters and their managers.

Garfinkle laments that Spears’ popularity undermines true boxers who have spent their lives honing their skills. He explains to Fields that Spears’ success is due to his existing fame and not his boxing prowess. Fields, a legitimate middleweight boxer, is frustrated with the lack of opportunities and threatens to leave Garfinkle if he doesn’t secure a substantial match soon.

Reynolds, observing the situation, decides to visit Jug James, the manager of the baseball club where Spears used to pitch. James is also disheartened by Spears’ shift to boxing, as it affects the baseball team’s prospects. Reynolds, however, sees a business opportunity in Spears’ continued success in the ring.

Reynolds then returns to his apartment, shared with Kid Allison, a skilled but currently injured light heavyweight boxer. Allison, furious at Spears for encroaching on professional boxing, expresses his desire to fight him. Reynolds, thinking strategically, suggests that beating Spears in the ring would have a greater impact than any street fight, but acknowledges the difficulty in getting Spears’ manager to agree to such a match.

The narrative shifts to a large stadium where Spears is set to fight Big Shafter, a professional football player. The event draws a massive crowd, including fans from baseball, football, and general sports enthusiasts. Spears, confident and used to the limelight, prepares for the fight with a grin, while Shafter, nervous and unfamiliar with boxing, fumbles with his preparations.

As the fight begins, both men display their lack of boxing technique. Spears swings wildly and often misses, while Shafter struggles with the different dynamics of boxing compared to football. Spears lands several powerful blows, knocking Shafter down multiple times. Despite his toughness on the football field, Shafter finds himself outmatched in the ring.

In a humorous turn, after being knocked down, Shafter, dazed and confused, assumes a football stance, ready to tackle. The referee, seeing Shafter’s state, ends the fight and declares Spears the winner. The crowd, entertained by the spectacle, cheers wildly, and Spears boasts about his victory, declaring his intent to continue in the boxing world and aim for the championship.

Meanwhile, Reynolds and Allison, observing the fight, see an opportunity in Spears’ increasing fame. Reynolds reassures Allison that their chance will come, emphasizing the importance of strategy over brute force.

Characters

  • Silent Garfinkle: A boxing manager frustrated by the rise of unskilled athletes like Bart Spears in the boxing world.
  • Foxy Reynolds: An associate of Garfinkle, who sees potential in capitalizing on Spears’ fame.
  • Kid Fields: A professional middleweight boxer managed by Garfinkle, upset over the lack of significant matches.
  • Bart Spears: A former baseball pitcher turned boxer, drawing large crowds despite his lack of boxing skill.
  • Jug James: The manager of the baseball team where Spears used to play, disappointed by Spears’ switch to boxing.
  • Kid Allison: A skilled light heavyweight boxer, currently injured, eager to prove himself against Spears.
  • Big Shafter: A professional football player who fights Spears in a heavily publicized boxing match, ultimately losing in a comical manner.

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