The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Grisham, John. Calico Joe. Dell, April 10, 2012. Kindle.

In the baseball novel Calico Joe by John Grisham, Grisham tells the story of unfinished business and a son’s determination that his father make things right. Paul Tracey was only 11-years-old when his jealous, angry father, Warren Tracey, intentionally ended the career of Joe “Calico Joe” Castle by hitting him in the head with a fastpitch. When Paul learns his father is dying of cancer, he sets out on a journey to convince Joe and his family to allow a meeting between the two.

Grisham splits his narration between 1973 when Paul was 11 and his father was a pitcher for the Mets and the present. In 1973, Joe joined the Cubs when several players were injured and quickly began breaking records for hitting and home runs. Paul and his friends idolized Joe. Paul, however, did not idolize his angry, jealous father. Warren was known for getting drunk, womanizing, hitting his wife, and sometimes hitting his children. Paul’s hatred for his father was cemented when Warren threw a fast pitch intending to hit Joe in the head. The ball struck Joe above his right eye where his face was not protected by his batting helmet and cracked his skull in three places. He lost most of the vision in his right eye. The injury ended Joe’s career.

In the present, Warren’s latest wife, his fifth, calls Paul to tell him his estranged father has been diagnosed with cancer. Paul decides that his father needs to take care of unfinished business in his life and tries to arrange a meeting between Joe and Warren. Paul’s contact in Calico Rock is unsure if Joe will talk to Warren, and Warren tells Paul he will not apologize to Joe, even when his son threatens to blackmail him.

Months later, Warren reconsiders the trip when new tests reveal his cancer has spread. He travels to Calico Rock with Paul where they sit in the stands at the high school baseball field where Joe works as the groundskeeper. They are still unsure if Warren will speak to Joe, but one of Joe’s brothers puts out two chairs near home plate. Warren sits down and tells Joe the truth, that he aimed at him intentionally, and apologizes. Joe accepts the apology, and the two are able to laugh together. Pictures are taken of Joe and Warren together, wearing hats with their teams’ logo. Paul also has his picture taken with his idol and his father.

Before Paul and Warren board their separate flights, Warren thanks Paul for making him apologize. He says he feels better about himself since he set one thing right. Later, Paul is surprised when Joe and his brothers attend Warren’s funeral. Afterward, they encourage Paul to write the story both of Warren’s intentional act of hurting Joe and of his apology.