"You Know Me Al" is a collection of short stories written by American author Ring Lardner. It was first published in 1916 and is known for its humorous and satirical depiction of the world of professional baseball and the life of athletes during the early 20th century.
The book is presented as a series of letters written by the fictional character Jack Keefe, a baseball player in the major leagues. Through these letters, Keefe shares his experiences, adventures, and misadventures in the world of professional baseball. He writes to his friend Al, and the title "You Know Me Al" comes from the phrase that often appears in Keefe's letters as he attempts to explain his actions or justify his behavior.
Jack Keefe is portrayed as a lovable but somewhat clueless character who frequently finds himself in comical and embarrassing situations. Lardner uses Keefe's letters to satirize various aspects of the sporting world, including the players, managers, fans, and the media.
The stories in "You Know Me Al" provide a humorous and insightful commentary on the culture of baseball during the early 20th century, including the relationships between players and their teams, the challenges of life on the road, and the larger-than-life personalities that populated the sport.
Ring Lardner's use of dialect and colloquial language in the letters adds authenticity to the character of Jack Keefe and immerses readers in the world of the early 20th-century baseball player.
"You Know Me Al" is considered a classic of American sports literature and is valued not only for its humor but also for its social commentary on the world of professional sports and the American culture of the time.
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