The Natural Character Analysis

Roy Hobbs

The protagonist of the novel, Roy Hobbs is introduced as a teenage baseball prodigy traveling by train to Chicago to try out for the Chicago Cubs. The novel reveals little about Hobbs’s background, only mentioning… read analysis of Roy Hobbs

Pop Fisher

The Knights’ embittered manager and a former baseball player, infamous for an incident from the end of his career as a player for the Sox known as “Fisher’s Famous Flop,” in which he failed to… read analysis of Pop Fisher

Judge Goodwill Banner

Judge Banner owns the majority of shares in the Knights, which he purchased from Pop’s friend Charlie Gulch (presumably under duress). Malicious and immoral, the Judge’s actions completely defy his job description—arbiter of justice—since… read analysis of Judge Goodwill Banner

Memo Paris

An aloof, shallow woman intent on finding wealth, Memo is Pop Fisher’s niece and Hobbs’s main love interest. She is originally attached to Bump Baily, whose celebrity status Hobbs usurps when he… read analysis of Memo Paris

Walter “the Whammer” Whambold

The Whammer is the “leading hitter of the American League,” whom Hobbs encounters on the train to Chicago at the beginning of the novel. Characteristically arrogant and foolhardy, the Whammer challenges Hobbs to a pitching… read analysis of Walter “the Whammer” Whambold

Harriet Bird / The Woman

Harriet is a mysterious, attractive woman Hobbs encounters on the train to Chicago. Though she hardly gives him the time of day at first, she seems impressed by his prowess in the competition against the… read analysis of Harriet Bird / The Woman

Iris Lemon

Iris turns up in the stadium during one of Hobbs’ games, and her presence seems to inspire him to play better, as he hits an impressive home run right after seeing her. Hobbs later… read analysis of Iris Lemon

Sam Simpson

Sam is the scout who discovers Hobbs’ talent as a high school ballplayer and accompanies him on the train to Chicago. A former star player whose alcoholism has ostensibly cost him his career as… read analysis of Sam Simpson

Bump Baily

Bump is the Knights’ star player before Hobbs arrives. He is as arrogant as the Whammer and is known for his rude antics off the field with Memo, his girlfriend, Pop, and the… read analysis of Bump Baily

Red Blow

Red Blow is the Knights’ coach. He is deeply critical of the team, especially Bump Baily, whom he calls “lazy,” noting to Hobbs that Pop Fisher is too infatuated with Bump’s prowess to push… read analysis of Red Blow

Gus Sands

The “Supreme Bookie,” a baseball gambler who “nets at least ten million a year,” Sands is a close friend of Memo and the Judge. Even before the Judge entreats Hobbs to “throw” (purposefully lose)… read analysis of Gus Sands

Max Mercy

Max Mercy is a journalist who follows the Knights and is intent on discovering Hobbs’s past. As a younger journalist, he covered the Whammer and encountered Hobbs on the train to Chicago, but he… read analysis of Max Mercy

Eddie

Eddie is a cheerful porter on the train to Chicago, clearly impressed by Hobbs’s status as a soon-to-be famous ballplayer. Eddie is the first “fan” Hobbs encounters in his career, and his sycophantic actions… read analysis of Eddie

Minor Characters

Doc Knobb

A “short and tubby man in a green suit” hired by Pop Fisher to talk to the Knights before their game against the Pirates. Knobb’s monologue literally hypnotizes the players, including Hobbs, in an attempt to reconfigure the team’s thinking and motivate their success on the field.

Otto P. Zipp

A Knights fan with dwarfism who frequently professes his support for Bump Baily (and is harshly critical of Hobbs), using a “loud horn at the end of a two-foot walking stick” to create ruckus from the bleachers.

Herman Youngberry

A twenty-year-old pitching prodigy for the Pirates who secretly hopes to earn enough money to quit the sport and buy a big farm. He defeats Hobbs during the Pirates’ match against the Knights.

Sadie Sutter

An older woman fan (“a girl of sixty-plus”) obsessed with Dave Olson.

Clarence Mulligan

The Chicago Cubs agent Hobbs is meant to try out for.

Harry

A bartender who is friends with Sands.

Gloria

A prostitute and Knights fan from Mississippi who is obsessed with Gabby Laslow.

Lola

A fortune-teller in Jersey City who Bump consulted and who tells Hobbs that he will “fall in love with a darkhaired lady,” which ostensibly refers to Iris.

Mike Barney

A fan of Hobbs who begs him to “sock a homer” for his sick child.

Chet Schultz

A pitcher for the Knights.

Charlie Gulch

Pop’s “old-time partner,” the former co-owner of the Knights, compelled by Judge Banner to sell out his portion of the team.

Scotty Carson

The agent who signs Roy Hobbs to the Knights.

Cal Baker

Shortstop for the Knights.

Doc Casey

The Knights’ trainer.

Hank Benz

The Knights’ third baseman.

Ed Simmons

A pinch hitter for the Knights.

Hank Kelly

Another pinch hitter for the Knights.

Emil Lajong

The Knights’ first baseman.

Hinkle and Hill

Regular starters for the Knights.

Dave Olson

Squat catcher for the Knights.

Juan Flores

Center fielder for the Knights.

Gabby Laslow

Right field for the Knights.

McGee

Reliefer for the Knights.

Al Fowler

Southpaw for the Knights.

Allie Stubbs

The Knights’ second baseman.

Dizzy

A former utility pitcher and prop man for the Knights who introduces Hobbs to the team.

Earl Wilson

The third base coach.

Dutch Vogelman

The Pirates’ pitcher.

Walt Wickitt

The “peerless” Pirates manager.

Stuffy Briggs

The plate umpire for the Knights.

The Natural Characters