Joe Matson moves to a new town and longs to pitch for the local nine, though the presence of a near-psychotically jealous ace pitcher slows his trajectory toward baseball stardom.

'Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars' is the first book in the 'Baseball Joe' series. Written in 1912, the book is about a young man named Joe Matson, who had recently moved to a new town. He is determined to make it big as a professional baseball player, and has joined his local team, 'the Silver Stars'. Unfortunately, some of the local players are less than pleased with the new player's arrival and Joe Matson must do everything in his power to prove his worth. The 'Baseball Joe' series was written under the pseudonym Lester Chadwick, although his real name was Howard R. Garis. Garis was one of the most prolific children's authors in the 20th century.

Joe Matson fends off the vultures of the upstart "All-Star League" and draws closer to the heart and hand of the lovely Mabel Varley as he leads the Giants on a round-the-world baseball tour.

Joe Matson is acquired by manager McRae of the Giants, and finds that he must lead the club to the pennant pretty much single-handedly.

No. Guess not. Just stretched him out so he can't go back an' tell any tales for a time. Now the way I figger it is this: They'll be waitin' for a report on what their spy sees, same as you was waitin' for me t' come back. Only their spy won't show up for a couple o' hours, an' that gives us a chance to act.