Baseball Joe, Home Run King; or, The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record

"Baseball Joe, Home Run King; or, The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record" by Lester Chadwick is an exciting sports story about a baseball star named Joe Matson, known as "Baseball Joe." Joe is an amazing pitcher but also a surprisingly great hitter, which makes him special. The book kicks off as Joe gets ready for a new baseball season while dealing with friendship issues and facing off against rivals trying to bring him down, both on the field and in his personal life. Early in the book, Joe is practicing batting with his friend Jim, and Joe smashes a home run, showing off his skills. While they are having a good time, Jim warns Joe that someone from the past, a rival named Braxton, might be looking for trouble, which could be related to getting back at Joe. Baseball games and athletic ability, and the personal challenges athletes face, create a suspenseful read.