One night, Shoeless Joe invites Salinger to join the players after the game. Ray, who overhears the conversation, is envious of the fact that Joe has invited Salinger, instead of him: “I built this damn field,’ I shout. ‘I carved it out of my cornfield. It’s been like creating a giant work of art, like birthing a child. It’s mine’” (215). He expresses his displeasure to Salinger, who tells him that there was a reason why he was invited instead of Ray, confessing to Ray that he had actually given the interview about baseball he originally said he hadn’t.

Salinger reminds him of his blissful life with Annie and Karin, and makes him realize that he has been chosen because he is unattached and his family is grown. Ray realizes that as a result of Joe’s invitation, Salinger may well get his deepest wish: to play baseball at the Polo Grounds, the home ballpark of the New York Giants that was torn down in 1964. As Jerry accompanies the players after the game, Ray tells Joe to take care of Salinger. When Salinger, accompanied by the players, finally leaves the field, Ray goes back into the house with his wife and daughter.