He was abandoned by his mother. His best friend at the orphanage is gone. And now, after a sudden and painful illness, his favorite teacher and mentor, has died. When William Jennings determines he can no longer remain behind the secure walls of St. Mary's, he embarks on a journey in which he discovers the cruelty of society from which he once was protected. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he begins to piece together bits of information that can help him uncover his hidden past. Along the way, he encounters titans of the nation's pastime, giving him a front-row seat to witness their tenacity and offering hope that he also can emerge from setback and failure.