• Jim Bono is Troy’s friend, co-worker, and drinking partner. They have been together for over thirty years. Jim Bono is usually called “Bono” or “Mr. Bono” by the characters in the play.
• The two men meet in prison where Troy learned to play baseball. Troy is a role model to Bono. Bono is the only character in the play who remembers, first-hand, Troy’s glory days of hitting home runs in the Negro Leagues.
• Now they work together as garbage collectors. Every Friday night after work, they sip gin, drink beers and tell stories together in the Maxson family’s backyard.

Lyons Maxson

• Lyons is Troy’s oldest son, fathered before Troy’s time in jail with a woman Troy meets on the streets before Troy becomes a baseball player and before he meets Rose.
• Lyons is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. He grew up with Troy for much of his childhood because Troy was in prison.
• Lyons likes most musicians, has a hard time making a living in Pittsburgh. For income, Lyons mostly depends on his girlfriend, Bonner, whom we never see on stage. Lyons does not live with Troy, Rose and Cory, but comes by the Maxson house frequently on Troy’s payday to ask for money. He often asks his father for $10, which he redundantly gives to him, though he does not expect it back. Ultimately, Lyons does pay Troy.

Raynell Maxson

• Raynell is Troy’s daughter, fathered out of wedlock with Alberta, Troy’s mistress
• Alberta dies in childbirth and leaves Troy to raise Raynell.
• Rose agrees to raise her husband’s daughter for her sake not his.
• She is the only Maxson child who hasn’t been hurt by Troy. Rose agrees to take care of the baby because Raynell is innocent. Ultimately, Rose is happy to have a chance to raise Raynell.