This novel begins with the protagonist on a train with Sam, and that protagonist is fond of his possession "Wonderboy". The main character has an affair with Iris Lemon, but rejects her when he learns that she is a grandmother, and Max Mercy ultimately exposes the title character's past misdeeds. Harriet Bird shoots the protagonist in the stomach with a silver bullet, and the protagonist falls in 
This novel begins with the protagonist on a train with Sam, and that protagonist is fond of his possession "Wonderboy". The main character has an affair with Iris Lemon, but rejects her when he learns that she is a grandmother, and Max Mercy ultimately exposes the title character's past misdeeds. Harriet Bird shoots the protagonist in the stomach with a silver bullet, and the protagonist falls in love with Memo Paris. Judge Goodwill Banner owns the Knights and pays the protagonist to throw a game, and Bump Baily dies after smashing into an outfield wall. For 10 points identify this novel about Roy Hobbs' attempt to become "the best there ever was in the game", a work by Bernard Malmud.
This novel begins with the protagonist on a train with Sam, and that protagonist is fond of his possession "Wonderboy".
{The Natural}