Walter “the Whammer” Whambold Character Analysis in The Natural

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 and hitting competition and loses spectacularly in an episode reminiscent of the scene that ends the novel, in which Hobbs loses the final game of the season to a younger pitching prodigy, Herman Youngberry.

Walter “the Whammer” Whambold Character Timeline in The Natural

The timeline below shows where the character Walter “the Whammer” Whambold appears in The Natural. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Femininity, Stereotypes, and Destruction Theme Icon

...one “short, somewhat popeyed,” the other “husky, massive-shouldered,” and wearing sunglasses. The husky man (named Whammer) asks the short man (named Max) why he thinks the woman is shooting athletes, and... (full context)

...but mentioning his baseball career sets his insides “afry.” The other man is Walter “the Whammer” Whambold, the “leading hitter of the American League,” who is owed $75,000 and is headed... (full context)

...while completing research on “drunks in baseball.” Settling with Sam next to Max and the Whammer, Hobbs takes an instant disliking to the sportswriter and the star ballplayer, who are openly... (full context)

Later on, the Whammer is talking to Harriet about his career, slipping his hands around the back of her... (full context)

...and a dozen passengers get off for a half-hour break, including Hobbs, Sam, Harriet, the Whammer, and Max Mercy; Hobbs takes the bassoon case with him. Sam spots a carnival at... (full context)

Sam makes a wager with the Whammer, claiming that Hobbs can strike him out with three pitched balls. Harriet, watching Hobbs and... (full context)

The onlookers walk to the other side of the tracks as Roy and the Whammer gear up for play, though Harriet stands close by, her eyes shining at the sight... (full context)

...again, and the ball looks like a “slow spinning planet looming toward the earth:” the Whammer strikes at it “ferociously” but strikes out again. Sam taunts the Whammer, who asks if... (full context)

The crowd is silent in the “violet evening;” the Whammer shouts out that it is “customary” to turn on lights for night games. The ball... (full context)

Hobbs feels triumphant about his defeat of the Whammer and spends the next leg of the journey talking with Harriet, who, rambling excitedly, compares... (full context)

Meanwhile, Max Mercy is asking Sam about Hobbs, his back turned to the Whammer, who is holding a newspaper “in front of his sullen eyes.” Sam escapes Mercy’s questions... (full context)