The Closer
Has anyone else heard that the closer at the end of this movie is the boy from the beginning (whom Roy Hobbs throws the ball to from the train)?
shareI've read and agree with the premise that the "Iowa farm boy" closer described by the radio announcer is symbolic of a young Roy Hobbs. The older Hobbs at bat is facing the younger version of himself. The confrontation is reminiscent of his duel with the Whammer (a thinly-disguised Babe Ruth type, greatest player in the game vs. some young fireballing upstart). Now the roles are reversed. I think the boy who gets tossed the ball by Hobbs in the beginning simply represents the hero-worship aspect in life and mythology. One could also imagine the kid might evoke the strong father-son relationship Roy had had with his dad.
shareI agree with turtletommy and I hope the OP's theory isn't correct as that would be too much of a tie in for me. Having said this I never thought about it. Does anyone remember if the train is pulling out of an Iowa stop when he throws the ball to the kid?
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