1932 Chicago

Otto Pohl is 16 going on 17 and knows that he is naïve. A paper boy for the Chicago Daily Tribune, he aspires to become a Tribune sportswriter like his idol, Ring Lardner. The July 6th shooting of Billy Jurges, Chicago Cubs' shortstop, by a disgruntled showgirl lover is a life-changing event for Otto. His curiosity about the shooting entangles him in the infamous Chicago underworld. It also leads to a dream job and a dream girl. Otto matures beyond his years during the summer of 1932, learning about life, love and, unfortunately, death. He witnesses extraordinary events, including the Republican and Democrat conventions during which Herbert Hoover (R) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D) are nominated for president. It is also a time of economic hardship and political upheaval with Adolph Hitler coming to power in Germany and Joseph Stalin consolidating power in the Soviet Union. Both events affect Chicago's large German-American population. Otto's is a family divided by communism and fascism. But life for Otto has its happy side, too. Otto sees his beloved Cubs win the National League pennant and face the New York Yankees in the World Series. He witnesses one of the most famous and controversial events in sports' history-Babe Ruth's third game, fifth inning home run at Wrigley Field that the Bambino either did or did not call.