Cuffy Lambkin is the given name of the character referred to as “Sportcoat.” (Deacon King Kong is another nickname for Sportcoat, used only briefly.) He is an elderly Black man living in the housing project, the Cause Houses, after migrating from rural South Carolina when he was young. Deems Clemens provides some characterization of Sportcoat early in the book:

As far back as he could remember […] Sportcoat had been a drunk more or less, but more important, he’d been the same—consistent. He never complained, or gave opinions. He didn’t judge. He didn’t care. Sport had his own thing, which is why Deems liked him […] Sportcoat had something that nobody at Five Ends, nobody in the projects, nobody Deems Clemens had known in his entire nineteen years of growing up in the Cause Houses had. Happiness. Sportcoat was happy (80).

Deems goes on to reflect that Sportcoat treats children with consideration and respect and makes Sunday school enjoyable for them with rowdy games. He is passionate about baseball and uses the game as a tool to unite the community and keep young men, especially Deems, out of trouble. He is also a tender, loyal caregiver and father figure to both Deems and his foster son Pudgy Fingers.