Mexican WhiteBoy: The Last Hustle of the Summer Summary & Analysis

1. Later, Danny and Uno are on a train traveling along the coastline.  Out the window, Danny sees all the affluent, mostly white towns like the one he’s from. In these places, life seems relaxed and effortless. They get off at their stop, and Danny realizes they’re in Leucadia—it was Uno’s idea to go there, and he didn’t let Danny in on it. They head to Danny’s school to challenge Kyle Sorenson. As they walk, Danny realizes for the first time how segregated Mexican people and white people are in Leucadia. All the white people here are rich while all the Mexican people are poor.

2. They arrive to Leucadia Prep as baseball practice is ending. Danny is ashamed when Uno comments on how nice the school facilities are. The two play catch on the field, and Coach Sullivan chats with Danny. Uno challenges Kyle, and the team laughs, claiming that the money Uno bets is nothing compared to their wealth. When one player, Barker, calls Danny a “wetback,” Uno stands up for him. Kyle accepts the challenge and smiles at Danny. Danny has no fear or anxiety about the situation.

3. Danny starts pitching. Kyle hits a foul ball on Danny’s third pitch. He swings and misses on another. With Kyle two strikes down, Danny throws a perfect fastball. He thinks about the power of the train and feels full of life as he pitches. Kyle fouls this pitch, too, and then hits several more fouls. Danny’s pitching is better than ever, but Kyle is an outstanding batter. Danny and Kyle both smile—Danny realizes that he’s having fun and doesn’t care about winning. Danny looks up to the sky, but there are no hawks. He realizes that he’s alone.

4. Finally, Kyle hits the ball into the field. Uno suggests double or nothing, and Kyle takes the bet. On Danny’s first pitch, Kyle hits a home run. His team cheers. Danny isn’t upset, but he feels that he’s found an answer. Barker takes the money and calls Uno a racial slur. Uno tries to fight him, but the other players hold him back. They keep yelling, and Barker insults Uno again and spits at him. Danny rushes over and punches Barker twice, knocking him over. As the team lunges at Danny, Kyle pushes them off and tells Danny and Uno to leave. He compliments Danny’s pitching and says that Coach Sullivan will contact him. Danny feels the birth of something new inside him.