The Slugger's Game

By Robert E. Howard

A stolen white bulldog and an empty pocket leave Steve "Sailor" Costigan with only one currency he can rely on: his fists. Stranded on the Hong Kong waterfront, the American boxer must find a way to recover his loyal companion, Mike, from those holding the dog for ransom. The bond between fighter and animal gives this boxing adventure an urgent purpose beyond prize money, driving Costigan into a world where deception and cruelty are never far from the ring. Costigan tells his own story in a comic, highly colloquial voice that lands its verbal blows as firmly as its physical ones. His humorous vernacular turns confrontations, reversals and bruising contests into a distinctive first-person performance, while the waterfront setting carries the action through bars, alleys, docks and a boxing arena. Prize fighting and pulp crime meet in a compact tale of perseverance under pressure, with a protagonist whose courage is tested by violent opponents and organised schemes. Beneath the fast-moving boxing action lies a direct conflict between companionship and exploitation. Costigan's determination to stand by Mike brings him up against animal cruelty staged as entertainment, giving the story an animal-rescue motive that sharpens every danger. The short-story form keeps the pressure concentrated, while the blend of comic narration, criminal intrigue and physical combat makes each encounter serve the central struggle for loyalty. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9377786592
• ISBN13: 9789377786595
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"