Act I - “True Believer” Standing at home plate October 3, 1951 at 3:59 PM trailing in the bottom of the ninth inning, the sizzling batter of the New York Giants, Bobby Thomson, faced Ralph Branca of the Brooklyn Dodgers. What happened at this bat was the most memorable event in United States sports history.
Jackie robinson and dodger manager, charlie dressen
Tune into this story about a baseball crazed family living in a New York bungalow when three major league baseball teams competed in New York City for supremacy. Live baseball day by day as the Giants came back in early August from 13 and a half games back to take the National League Pennant race into a final rubber game in a best of three series. Yes - this is the day the earth stood still, subways in NYC stopped, and transistor radios blurted sportscaster Ernie Harwell’s famous words throughout the United States. 1951 was a year amidst baseball’s romantic era - when the national past time had little sports competition. Enjoy heart warming 50s events, baseball history - including the Negro leagues, and learn how iron lungs battled a dreadful epidemic disease that affected every family - polio. Baseball back then held families and communities together as disease tried to rip them apart. Enjoy a bygone post WWII era where everyone was just glad to be alive and relished every moment out of life - trying to just move on from war time.. “ The Shot Heard Round the World “ is a classic family major league baseball loving story that captures a battled war veteran father and son’s true positive relationship through good and bad times. Enjoy the music as you read along in script format. Setting: INTERIOR. SINGLE PARENT FATHER WITH TWO CHILDREN IN SMALL HARLEM, NEW YORK BUNGALOW AUGUST 10, 1951 - NIGHTLY BASEBALL DISCUSSION
JAKE
Gil hodges, Dodger first baseman
2
DAD, DO YOU THINK WE COULD GO TO A GIANTS GAME THIS WEEK ??
DAD
I DON’T KNOW. I HAVE SO MANY MEETINGS THAT COULD EXTEND INTO SUNDAY. IT JUST REQUIRES SO MUCH TIME FOR ME TO GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.
JAKE
BUT DAD WE REALLY NEED TO GO. I LOVE WATCHING THE GIANTS PLAY - AND YOU’RE REALLY THE TRUE ULTIMATE GIANTS FAN. YOU WOULD LOVE IT !
DAD
YES I KNOW JAKE, WE’RE ONLY JUST 13 AND A HALF GAMES OUT OF FIRST PLACE - TRAILING THOSE BUMS, OR SHOULD I PROPERLY SAY THE BROOKLYN DODGERS.
JAKE
PLEASE DAD, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT TO GO. WE MAY NOT CATCH THE BROOKLYN DODGERS, BUT STILL.......
SOME OF THE GIANTS PLAYERS FROM THE GAME
DAD
WHAT DID I HEAR YOU ACTUALLY SAY - MAY NOT CATCH BROOKLYN ? WHERE IS YOUR FAITH IN THE GIANTS ? THE GIANTS ARE REALLY THE MOST HERALDED TEAM OF ALL TIME - EASILY THE VERY BEST MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM IN NEW YORK CITY. WHY - THE GIANTS HAVE WON WAY MORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN BROOKLYN.
JAKE
WELL I DON’T MEAN TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS DAD, AND I KNOW ALL YOUR FAMILY FOR YEARS HAS ROOTED FOR THE “ COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS “ WHO PLAY IN THE POLO GROUNDS ABOVE THE BIG BLUFF DOWN THE STREET AT EDGECOMBE, BUT FOR THE GIANTS TO ACTUALLY WIN THE PENNANT SEEMS ABSURD.
DAD
ABSURD ! WHERE DID A 13 YEAR OLD BOY GET THAT TERM ? THE GIANTS WILL WIN THE PENNANT. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT !
JAKE
SURE DAD, AND THEN PLAY THE BRONX BOMBERS IN THE WORLD SERIES AND WIN THAT TOO ? GET REAL DAD !
DAD
YOUR GENERATION DOESN’T REALIZE WHAT A TRUE FAN IS.
JAKE
OK, DAD. LAY IT ON ME. GIVE ME SOME HOPE FOR THE NEW YORK GIANTS BASEBALL TEAM.
Bobby Thomson, author of the Shot
3
DAD
BEING A TRUE FAN EXTENDS BEYOND A WIN/LOSS RECORD. IT EXTENDS TO ONE’S INNER CONVICTIONS ABOUT TEAM SUPPORT AND THE BELIEF THAT A BASEBALL TEAM CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING IF THEY PUT IT ALL TOGETHER. GIANTS FANS ARE NOT LUKE WARM FANS. THEY ARE THERE ALL THE TIME - PULLING FOR THEIR TEAM.
JAKE
clint Hartung, NY Giants pitcher
BUT DAD, THE GIANTS ARE 13 AND A HALF OUT. NO ONE IS GIVING THEM A CHANCE. NO ONE - NOT EVEN PEOPLE IN THE ORGANIZATION - EVEN THE PLAYERS HAVE MADE COMMENTS THAT HAVE HIT THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYING AS MUCH. GOLLY DAD WE ARE 13 AND A HALF GAMES BEHIND BROOKLYN. NO ONE WILL EVER EXPECT US TO PULL THIS OUT SHORT OF A MIRACLE HAPPENING. THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE DEAD !
DAD
WELL THEN WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A MIRACLE. YOU WILL SEE. I WON’T QUIT UNTIL THE LEAGUE CALCULATES A MAGIC NUMBER.
JAKE
WHAT IS A MAGIC NUMBER ?
DAD
THE ADDITION OF THE NUMBER OF DODGER WINS AND GIANTS LOSSES IS THE MAGIC NUMBER - TO GIVE THE DODGERS THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT.
JAKE
THAT CAN’T BE VERY MUCH DAD – LIKE I SAID THE GIANTS ARE 13 AND A HALF OUT - DEAD IN THE WATER - NOT A CHANCE - AGAINST THE BUMS FROM BROOKLYN WHO THIS YEAR ARE A DARN GOOD TEAM.
DAD
The polo grounds in the 50’s
I WON’T GIVE YOU ANY OF THIS. FIRST - IT IS FAR TO EARLY TO THINK OF MAGIC NUMBERS. THE GIANTS ARE COMING BACK. SECOND, BROOKLYN IS A GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT TEAM. THEY WILL FOLD BECAUSE THEY ARE FAR TOO COMFORTABLE WITH THIS LEAD, AND FINALLY WE CLEARLY HAVE THE VERY BEST MANAGER IN BASEBALL - LEO DUROCHER. I REMEMBER THE LOSS IN 1950 ON THE VERY LAST DAY - KNOCKING THE BROOKS OUT OF THE SERIES. IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN.
JAKE
OH, YOU MEAN “ THE LIP “ AS THE TIMES CALLS DUROCHER.
4
DAD
YES, BUT LEO DUROCHER KNOWS BASEBALL BETTER THAN ANYONE. JUST WAIT - YOU’LL SEE.
JAKE
BUT DAD, NO BASEBALL TEAM HAS EVER COME BACK IN ANY LEAGUE AFTER BEING BACK 13 AND A HALF GAMES.
DAD
JUST REMEMBER UNENDING TEAM LOYALTY, TRANSCENDING FAITH, NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE IN GOOD AND BAD TIMES WILL GET OUR GIANTS THROUGH THIS AND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT. DO YOU ACTUALLY REALLY THINK THAT QUITTING IS IN A PERSON’S MIND ? WHAT IF COCKROFT WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP ON HIS ATOMIC RESEARCH - NO NOBEL PRIZE NOR FUTURE ATOMIC ENERGY. WHAT IF THE AUTHORS OF “ THE CATCHER IN THE RYE “ OR “ FROM HERE TO ETERNITY “ GAVE UP ? THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO PULITZER PRIZE IN LITERATURE. SALINGER WAS NEVER QUITTING WITH HIS BOOK.
A game underway in the polo grounds
JAKE
WELL, I REALLY LIKE YOUR EXUBERANCE DAD, BUT DO YOU REALIZE THE GIANTS NOT ONLY ARE SO FAR BACK, BUT REALLY HAVEN’T PLAYED WELL SO FAR - IN FACT THIS YEAR THEY’VE PLAYED POORLY. AND I DON’T SEE HOW AUTHORS AND PHYSICISTS HAVE ANYTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH BASEBALL. IT’S LIKE SAYING CARL SANDBERG’S 1951 PULITZER PRIZE IN POETRY GOES ALONG WITH BASEBALL. GET REAL DAD.
DAD
YES, OUR GIANTS HAVE STUMBLED A BIT, BUT LEO WILL GET THEM TOGETHER. I PREDICT YOU’LL SEE AN AMAZING TEAM THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF OF THE SEASON. ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE WE’VE BEEN DISCUSSING ARE ACTUALLY PART OF WINNING TEAMS. THEY FEEL AN UNENDING DUTY TO THEMSELVES TO SUCCEED, WIN, PAY THE PRICE, AND DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. BASEBALL IS NO DIFFERENT.
JAKE
IN FACT DAD YOU HAVE BEEN EMBARRASSING - TALKING TO EVERYONE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD - INCLUDING MY NEW YORK TIMES CUSTOMERS ON MY PAPER ROUTE, AND....
DAD
the polo grounds as it was in 1904
AND WHAT ? THEY ALL THINK I’M A CRAZY RABID GIANTS FAN WHO STILL BELIEVES THIS TEAM WILL COME BACK.
5
JAKE
YOU SAID IT. I DON’T MEAN TO BE DISRESPECTFUL DAD, BUT IT IS EMBARRASSING FOR ME TO BE OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND MY DAD TALKING CRAZY TO THE ENTIRE HARLEM AND UPTOWN MANHATTAN COMMUNITY. WHY SOME NEIGHBORS AND TIMES CUSTOMERS OF MINE ARE DISCUSSING ADMITTING YOU TO THE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL FOR GLOATING THAT THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE GOING TO WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT !
DAD
I UNDERSTAND, BUT THEN I DON’T. I’M ONLY BEING THE TRUE FAN ALL THESE FOLKS AROUND COOGAN’S BLUFF SHOULD ACTUALLY BE. OUR GIANTS TEAM NEEDS SUPPORT. IN FACT, MY SON, JAKE, IS THE MOST LUKEWARM FAN OF ALL. GO WITH THE TEAM IF THEY WIN, BUT ABANDON THEM IF THEY LOSE. I WONDER HOW CHRISTY MATHEWSON, MEL OTT, OR JOHN MCGRAW WOULD THINK ABOUT YOUR LUKEWARM FAN FEELINGS. THESE GUYS WERE IN IT 200 % - AND THE REST OF THE TOWN BACKED THEM ALL THE WAY, ALL THE TIME.
JAKE
I’M JUST BEING PRACTICAL DAD. I HAVE TO DELIVER PAPERS TO THESE FOLKS. AND IT’S MY LAST YEAR AT CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR HIGH. I WON’T FLUNK OUT OF SCHOOL - I’LL BE LAUGHED OUT - BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WILL FEEL I INHERITED MY FATHER’S CRAZINESS ABOUT THE GIANTS. DAD WELL, IN ADDITION TO DUROCHER WE HAVE STANKY AT SECOND, BOBBY THOMSON AT THIRD, WESTRUM AT THE PLATE, MONTY IRVIN IN LEFT, THE “ SAY HEY KID “ WILLIE MAYS IN CENTER, AND SUPERB PITCHERS INCLUDING SAL “ THE BARBER “ MAGLIE AND LARRY JANSEN - THE LIST GOES ON. THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE A SUPERB TEAM.
JAKE
I KNOW THAT DAD, BUT THESE GUYS AREN’T STEPPING UP - THEY ARE NOT PLAYING WELL. I’LL BE SO EMBARRASSED AT SCHOOL, MY FRIENDS WILL DISOWN ME, AND I’LL LOSE CUSTOMERS ON MY NEW YORK TIMES EVENING PAPER ROUTE - BECAUSE I ACTUALLY AM REQUIRED TO HAND THE PAPER TO SOME OF THESE SPOILED CUSTOMERS WHO KNOW OUR FAMILY.
DAD
LOOK AT IT THIS WAY JAKE. THE GIANTS WILL WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT, COME FROM WAY BACK IN SO 6
DOING, AND YOU’LL BE THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN THE CLASS BECAUSE OF YOUR DAD. PRETTY NEAT HUH !?
JAKE
ENOUGH DAD. I MUST RETURN JOHNNY’S 45 RECORDS, SINCE HE IS SELLING ALL HIS 33S. I’LL BE BACK HOME SOON.
DAD
JAKE, I ACTUALLY GET A LOT OF INSPIRATION FROM SO MANY GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. JUST THIS YEAR THE ENGLISH CANBERRA JET FLEW THE ATLANTIC IN 4 HOURS 37 MINUTES. CAPTAIN BLAIR FLEW OVER THE NORTH POLE IN A P-51 AND MAX THEILLER WON A MEDICAL NOBEL PRIZE WITH A NEW VACCINE FOR YELLOW FEVER. EVEN AS WE SPEAK CARIBBEANS ARE SAVING LIVES IN THE MIDST OF HURRICANE CHARLIE. PEOPLE IN KANSAS ARE CLEANING UP FROM THE GREAT FLOOD. THE FIRST DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE BEGAN OPERATION AND CHICAGO HAS A RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM NOW CALLED THE CTA. WE’VE ALSO SEEN A LOT OF NOTABLE PEOPLE PASS AWAY: GEORGE ALBERT SMITH - THE FOUNDER OF THE LDS CHURCH - DIED THIS YEAR AS DID PULITZER PRIZE WINNER SINCLAIR LEWIS. SO DID FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AND NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER CHARLES DAWES AND THE MEDIA MOGUL WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST. THE FIRST MONUMENT EVEN DEDICATED TO A BLACK MAN WAS ERECTED AND DEDICATED IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI TO GEOREGE WASHINGTON CARVER. MAUREEN CONNOLLY HAS INSPIRED MANY TENNIS FANS AND IS A NOW FAVORED TO WIN THE US OPEN HERE IN NYC. AND DON’T FORGET THE BRAND NEW DISNEY MOVIE “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” THAT JUST CAME OUT, AND...
Alvin Dark, NY giants
JAKE
AND I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU DAD. JOHNNY VANDERMEER PITCHED HIS LAST GAME, AND LEW BURDETTE MAY GET TRADED FROM THE YANKEES TO THE BOSTON BRAVES, AND KING ABDULLAH WAS JUST ASSASSINATED AT A PRAYER SERVICE IN JERUSALEM, AND WE’VE ONLY LOST 15,000 TROOPS IN KOREA. DID WORLD WAR II EVER REALLY END DAD ? OR DID EVERYONE JUST COME HOME, GET HITCHED, HAVE A BUNCH OF KIDS, AND DRINK BEER WATCHING BASEBALL ON WEEKENDS ?
DAD
THIS IS QUITE DEEP. BUT THE TREATY OF SAN FRANCISCO IS CLOSE - WHEREBY 48 NATIONS EXCEPTING STALIN’S GOVERNMENT WILL SIGN A PEACE TREATY OFFICIALLY ENDING WORLD WAR II. I’M RESERVING JUDGEMENT ON TRUMAN’S RELIEF OF MACARTHUR IN KOREA THOUGH.
First pitch of fateful 3rd playoff game
7
MACARTHUR WAS ALSO A REAL WINNER - APPARENTLY TRUMAN WANTED TO JUST END THE WAR PERIOD - AND ELIMINATE ENDLESS CARNAGE/DESTRUCTION/POTENTIAL ATOMIC HOLOCAUST. WE ARE LIVING IN A FABULOUS HISTORIC PERIOD. AGAIN I DERIVE INSPIRATION FROM MANY OF THESE PEOPLE AND EVENTS - AND FEEL IF THEY CAN DO IT - SO CAN OUR BASEBALL GIANTS. THESE WINNERS KEEP ME GOING. WITHOUT MY GIANTS I’D BE DEAD. YOU’LL SEE. THE GIANTS ARE WINNERS AND WILL WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT. I KNOW YOU’VE GOT TO GET OVER TO JOHNNY’S PLACE.
JAKE
approx location where willie mays made “the Catch”
MONOLOGUE: MY DAD IS THE MOST EXTREME BASEBALL FAN IN THE WORLD ! HE TRULY BELIEVES THE NEW YORK GIANTS WILL WIN THE PENNANT. HE IS OK ON EVERYTHING ELSE. I THINK HE BECAME MENTALLY ALTERED AFTER WORLD WAR II IN A PLACE CALLED IWO JIMA. HE NEVER REALLY TALKS ABOUT IT MUCH EXCEPT THAT IT AFFECTED HIM FOREVER IN WAYS I WON’T UNDERSTAND. HE SAYS HE HAS SHOCK TRAUMA SYNDROME - WHATEVER THAT IS. PLEASE JESUS MAKE HIM RIGHT - SO HE CAN WORK AGAIN. HIS MIND WANDERS BACK TO THE WAR AND HE CAN’T CONCENTRATE ON HIS LEGAL CLIENTS, SO WE LIVE DAY TO DAY IN A POOR NEIGHBORHOOD - WHICH HE SAYS IS GOOD FOR ME SO I WON’T BECOME SPOILED OR WHAT HE CALLS SUBURBAN SYNDROME. THE VERY WORST THING IS THAT DAD LOST WILLIE REYNOLDS, HIS VERY BEST FRIEND AT IWO JIMA, AND HAS NEVER RECOVERED FROM THAT, BECAUSE HE FELT HE COULD’VE SAVED HIM. I FIGURE IF DAD GOT OUT OF IWO JIMA ALIVE, IT IS NOTHING FOR THE GIANTS TO WIN THE PENNANT. I’M FORTUNATE JUST TO HAVE MY DAD. I DON’T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT MOM. THAT IS FOR ANOTHER DAY ! ALL I WANT IS FOR MY DAD TO BE LIBERATED FROM THIS EMOTIONAL HELL OF WORLD WAR II HE’S BEEN THROUGH - ALLOWING HIS MIND TO RETURN TO THE WILD.
DAD
HEY JAKE, NICE TO SEE YOU HOME ON TIME. EVERYTHING OK AT JOHNNY’S HOUSE ?
JAKE
plaque unveiled noting location of home plate in the polo grounds after studium was razed.
YOU BET DAD. THE NEIGHBORS - BOTH ADULTS AND KIDS ARE ALL LAUGHING ABOUT YOUR GIANTS FEVER - ONLY 13 AND A HALF GAMES OUT.
DAD
WAIT A MINUTE JAKE, WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY 13 GAMES OUT - BECAUSE THE BUMS JUST LOST TO BOSTON TODAY 8 -4.
8
JAKE
GET REAL AGAIN DAD. A HALF GAME WON’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
DAD
WE MUST START SOMEWHERE. EVEN ERNIE HARWELL, THE NEW YORK GIANTS RADIO ANNOUNCER HAD HIS SPIRITS UPLIFTED TODAY BY THE BUM LOSS.
JAKE
WELL I’M CERTAIN THE GIANTS ARE HAVING A REAL BLAST OVER THIS ONE BROOKLYN LOSS. I’M GOING TO BED. I’VE GOT TO GET UP EARLY TOMORROW FOR MY MORNING TIMES ROUTE- AND I’M SERVING AT MASS AFTER THAT. GOOD NIGHT.
DAD
dedication stone noting stairway to polo grounds
JAKE, NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER ! 13 GAMES OUT AND CLIMBING. GOOD NIGHT.
AUGUST 11, 1951 JAKE
DAD, JOHNNY ASKED ME IF I WAS FEELING THAT GIANTS FEVER JUST LIKE MY GOOD OLD DAD - ONLY 13 GAMES OUT OF FIRST PLACE BEHIND A GOOD BROOKLYN TEAM.
DAD
I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU’VE CAUGHT MY GIANTS FAN FEVER. YOU KNOW IT IS AN INHERITED TRAIT.
JAKE
WELL THE ONLY GOOD THING I HEARD ABOUT THE GIANTS TODAY WAS THAT CHARLIE DRESSEN, THE BROOKLYN DODGER MANAGER, IS AN EXTREMELY POMPOUS GUY AND THE BIGGEST SNEAK IN THE BUSINESS. MY CUSTOMERS ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT HOW DRESSEN HAS THE MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD FOR STEALING SIGNS - INCLUDING SIGNAL RELAY TEAMS ON TV, BOX SEATS, AND EVEN FROM CENTER FIELD WITH BINOCULARS. MAYBE HE’LL GET CAUGHT -AND GET THROWN OUT OF BASEBALL. HE IS TRUE BUM.
DAD
HECK JAKE, THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND CONSIDERED LEGAL UNTIL YOU ARE CAUGHT - BUT IT’S DIFFICULT TO PROVE. AND THE BUMS ARE USING FARM PLAYERS FROM MONTREAL. THE TIMES, SPORTING NEWS, HERALD TRIBUNE, BROOKLYN EAGLE, ALL OF NEW YORK CITY, AND EVERYONE THINKS THE PENNANT RACE IS OVER
stairway as it appears today
9
AND DONE. BUT I WARN YOU - THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT RACE HAS JUST BEGUN. BROOKLYN DOES NOT HAVE, NOR WILL HAVE THE PENNANT.
JAKE
OK DAD ! CHILL A BIT ! TOMORROW IS WES WESTRUM DAY - THE GIANTS GREAT CATCHER - AT THE POLO GROUNDS OR AS YOU CALL IT COOGAN’S BLUFF. WHY THE HECK DO THEY CALL IT COOGAN’S BLUFF ANYWAY ?
DAD
WELL, COOGAN WAS A B0ROUGH MAYOR IN THE LATE 1800S WHO RAN FOR MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY TWICE AND LOST. HE WAS A VERY GOOD PERSON WHO DID AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL GOOD FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Roy campAnella, dodger catcher
JAKE
SO COOGAN WAS A GOODY TWO SHOES - AND GETS A BLUFF NAMED AFTER HIM. WOW ! DAD, I BET GOODY TWO SHOES COOGAN HIMSELF WOULD WONDER IF THE GIANTS AND DUROCHER CAN PULL THIS THING OUT. HECK, THE GIANTS HAVE SAL MAGLIE, THE BARBER, PITCHING TOMORROW IN THE DOUBLEHEADER. ACCORDING TO THE TIMES AND EVERYONE ELSE SAL IS SHAVING THE BATTERS REAL CLOSE THIS YEAR AND MAY WIN 20 GAMES DESPITE THE GIANTS POOR PLAY.
DAD
WELL IF ANYONE CAN DO IT, “THE LIP”, MR. DUROCHER, CERTAINLY CAN. HE HATES LOSING MORE THAN ANYONE I KNOW. SAL MAGLIE IS THE GREATEST - BUT HE’LL NEVER COME CLOSE TO THE MULTIPLE 30 GAME SEASON WINS OF CY YOUNG - OR THE 40 WIN SEASONS OF SATCHEL PAIGE IN THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE.
JAKE
WELL I’M EXHAUSTED AFTER TODAY. I’M OFF TO BED. NIGHT.
DAD
GOOD-NIGHT. 13 GAMES OUT !
AUGUST 12, 1951 polo grounds home plate location plaque as it appears today
10
JAKE
IT WAS SO RAINY TODAY. I HEARD THE GIANTS WON THE FIRST GAME AND THE SECOND MAY BE CALLED DUE TO RAIN.
DAD
YES, MR. CONVERSATION WIZARD, THE BARBER WON THE FIRST GAME CONVINCINGLY - REAL ICE ON THE MOUND.
JAKE
WOW, THE RAIN HELD OFF, BUT WE STILL WON. IN FACT IF IT HAD RAINED, IT ONLY REQUIRES 6 INNINGS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES FOR A GAME TO GO IN THE BOOKS ACCORDING TO ERNIE HARWELL, THE GIANTS RADIO ANNOUNCER. THEN THEY CAN CALL A GAME IF THE WEATHER REPORT IS FOR FURTHER RAIN AFTER 30 MINUTES - AT THEIR DISCRETION - AS IF THE UMP IS A WEATHER PROPHET. THAT ACTUALLY COULD DECIDE A PENNANT.
DAD
YES, I AGREE, AND TODAY THOMSON, IRVIN, AND WILLIAMS CAME THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH - WITH BIG HITS AT JUST THE PERFECT TIME. THE BRAT, STANKY, IS BACK AND LEADING OFF - WHICH HAS PROVIDED SOME REALLY GREAT EXCITEMENT TO THE GIANTS LINE UP ALSO. IN FACT, EDDIE STANKY’S VIGOR FOR THE GAME AND LEADERSHIP COULD CARRY THE GIANTS TO THE “ HARD TO GET “ PENNANT. STANKY WILL LEAD THE COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS BACK INTO THE PENNANT RACE.
sal maglie, giants pitcher
JAKE
BUT WE ONLY GAINED A HALF GAME ON THE BUMS TODAY BECAUSE ROY CAMPANELLA BLASTED A 3 RUN SHOT. THE LEAGUE AND SPORTS WRITERS SHOULD JUST GIVE HIM THE 1951 MVP AWARD. HE IS TRULY SUPERB IN BOTH FIELDING AND HITTING. HOW CAN THE GIANTS EVER HOPE TO CATCH THESE GUYS ?
DAD
WE WILL, THOUGH IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT. BUT WE WILL. WE’RE ONLY 12 AND A HALF OUT NOW. AND CLIMBING. WHEW !
JAKE DAD
I’M SURE YOU’VE HEARD GENERAL MACARTHUR WILL BE AT EBBETTS FIELD TOMORROW FOR THE BUMS GAME. THE BROOKS ALWAYS LOSE WHEN MACARTHUR IS IN THE STANDS. ALWAYS.
JAKE
OFF TO BED - BUT ONE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR MY BASEBALL GENIUS DAD WHO KNOWS THE GAME ESPECIALLY THE RULES. IS A BASE RUNNER OUT IF HE FAILS TO TAG THE BASES IN REVERSE ORDER AFTER A HIT FLY IS
scene at home plate following walk off home run by thomson
11
CAUGHT, AND DOES IT MATTER IF THE FLY CAUGHT IS FAIR OR FOUL ?
DAD
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THE CATCH IS FAIR OR FOUL AS THE BATTER IS OUT IF HE DOESN’T TAG THE BASES IN EXACT REVERSE ORDER FROM WHERE HE STARTED IN ORDER TO ADVANCE. GOODNIGHT - 12 AND HALF OUT AND CLIMBING. NIGHT !
JAKE
AUGUST 13, 1951 JAKE
DAD, JANSEN IS PITCHING FOR THE GIANTS TODAY. WE SHOULD WIN. LARRY JANSEN IS TRULY ANOTHER GREAT GIANTS PLAYER.
DAD
THE VERY BEST MANAGER IN LEO DUROCHER COMBINED WITH PITCHERS LIKE JANSEN WILL GET US TO THE PENNANT. JANSEN IS CLEARLY AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE -ALONG WITH ROBIN ROBERTS OF THE PHILS, WARREN SPAHN OF BOSTON, NEWCOMBE, PREACHER ROE - THE ARKANSAS CORNSTALK, AND BRANCA OF THE DODGERS.
JAKE
AND THE ALMIGHTY BARBER OF THE GIANTS. I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU’RE RIGHT ABOUT THE GIANTS DAD, AS I WILL BE TOTALLY EMBARRASSED WALKING INTO CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL UNLESS THE GIANTS ARE IN THE PENNANT RACE AS EVERYONE KNOWS AND TALKS ABOUT MY CRAZY RABID GIANTS FAN DAD.
DAD
Example of an iron lung
JAKE, YOU WILL SEE DUROCHER TAKING CALCULATED CHANCES LIKE THE ST. LOUIS GAS HOUSE GANGS OF THE 30S. I KNOW STANKY, JANSEN, AND MAYS - MR. SAY HEY KID, WERE ALL CUT DOWN STEALING LAST NIGHT - BUT LEO WILL GET CRAFTIER WITH BUNTS, STEALS, HIT AND RUNS, SUBSTITUTIONS, AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO WIN. SOON THE LEAD WILL BE IN SINGLE DIGITS.
JAKE
BUT THE BUMS WON YESTERDAY SO WE ARE NOW 12 AND A HALF BACK. I’M LOSING FAITH DAD. HOW ARE THE GIANTS ABLE TO WIN THE PENNANT GOING BACKWARDS ? I FEEL THIS NEGATIVE POPULARITY HITTING ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES AND LASTING ALL YEAR. I’LL BE SO 12
EMBARRASSED OVER MY DAD. I’LL BE A TOTALLY UNCOOL ICE CUBE GUY.
DAD
CALM DOWN, WE ARE COMING BACK. I GUARANTEE THE PENNANT. THERE WILL BE A TRUE CHASE FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT.
JAKE
YES I UNDERSTAND YOUR FERVOR DAD, BUT AGAIN - BE REAL. THERE IS NO WAY THE NEW YORK GIANTS CAN COME BACK FROM THIS MONSTER DOUBLE DIGIT DEFICIT - ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE BROOKLYN DODGERS. TIME IS RUNNING OUT !
DAD
BUT UNDERSTAND JAKE, WE’VE GOT SOME REAL BREAKS OCCURRING. PREACHER ROE, THE ARKANSAS CORNSTALK - THE VERY BEST BROOKLYN PITCHER, IS OUT WITH A SORE ARM - GIVEN REST FOR THE GIANTS/DODGER SERIES THIS WEEKEND.
don mueller baseball card, NY giants
JAKE
AND BOTH JACKIE ROBINSON AND PEE WEE REESE AT SECOND AND SHORT ARE HOBBLED BY NAGGING INJURIES. THE GIANTS COULD SWEEP THIS UPCOMING SERIES AND THEN....
DAD
AND THEN THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE TRULY IN THE THICK OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT RACE - WITH BROOKLYN HAVING ONLY A SINGLE DIGIT LEAD.
JAKE
BUT DAD, A SINGLE DIGIT LEAD OF SAY 9 GAMES IS STILL IMMENSE.
DAD
TRUST ME. BROOKLYN KNOWS HOW TO FOLD. DON’T FORGET BROOKLYN LOST THE PENNANT ON THE LAST GAME LAST YEAR.
JAKE
WELL, WE CAN GO TO BED EVERY NIGHT AND JUST PRAY FOR THE GIANTS.
DAD
“The shot heard ‘round the world”
YOU BET. GOOD-NIGHT. I JUST HEARD SOME GOOD NEWS THE GIANTS ARE ONLY 11 AND A HALF OUT. ANY BUM LOSS OR GIANTS WIN AND I’M ON MY WAY TO HEAVEN WHILE ON EARTH.
13
JAKE
ONE MORE BASEBALL QUESTION DAD. WHAT IS THE RULING REGARDING TAGGING A PLAYER OFF BASE WITH JUST THE GLOVE - AND THE BALL DOESN’T COME IN CONTACT WITH THE BASE RUNNER ? AND THEN NIGHT !
DAD
THE GLOVE IS PART OF THE BALL AS LONG AS IT IS NOT BOBBLING OR COMING OUT OF THE GLOVE AS THE TAG IS APPLIED. THE RUNNER IS OUT UNLESS IN CONTACT WITH A LEGAL BASE. GOOD QUESTION. GOOD-NIGHT.
AUGUST 14, 1951 Andy pafko, Brooklyn Dodgers
JAKE
DAD, THE GIANTS DID IT ! WILLIE MAYS MADE WHAT THEY ARE NOW ALREADY CALLING “ THE PLAY “. HE DOVE AND CAUGHT FURILLO’S FLY IN CENTER FIELD, WHIRLED ON A PIVOT, AND THREW A STRIKE TO HOME PLATE - TAGGING OUT COX. HECK, THE MEDIA IS TALKING ABOUT THAT AREA IN CENTER FIELD AS NOW SACRED - IN THAT NO ONE HAS OR EVER WILL DO THAT ATHLETIC FEAT AGAIN.
DAD
BUT ACCORDING TO HARWELL = THE GIANTS ANNOUNCER - THIS DOESN’T COMPARE TO THE THROW IN PITTSBURGH - WHERE HE ACROBATICALLY BARE HANDED A LINE DRIVE FOR A CRUCIAL OUT.
JAKE
THANK GOD FOR FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA AND WILLIE MAYS. THANK GOD THAT THOMSON STRUGGLED IN MAY - GIVING THE “ SAY HEY KID “ A CHANCE. WHAT A ROOKIE !
DAD
YES ERNIE HARWELL SAYS WILLIE IS THE VERY BEST ROOKIE HE’S EVER SEEN IN BASEBALL. HE SAYS WILLIE IS ALMOST AS GOOD AS JACKIE ROBINSON IN RUNNING THE BASES - IN ADDITION TO HIS FIELDING AND BATTING TALENTS.
JAKE
Ralph Branca, Losing pitcher in game
14
I HEARD A RUMOR THAT THE DODGERS HAD A CHANCE WITH WILLIE, BUT THEY ALREADY HAD REAL AFRICAN AMERICAN TALENT WITH ROY CAMPANELLA - THE VERY BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL THIS YEAR – ALONG WITH THE BIG RIGHT HANDER DON NEWCOMBE, BANKHEAD AND JACKIE ROBINSON. THE GENERAL MANAGER, BRANCH RICKEY, AND THE OWNERS, THE O’MALLEYS, REALLY WANTED
INTEGRATION, OPPORTUNITY, AND IMPROVED COMPETITION TO COME TO ALL OF BASEBALL, NOT JUST THE DODGERS. A GIANTS SCOUT HEARD ABOUT WILLIE IN FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA AND SIGNED HIM.
DAD
YES, IT HAS WORKED OUT WELL - MONTE IRVIN AND STANKY HAVE MADE WILLIE FEEL AT HOME AT THE POLO GROUNDS.
JAKE
I’VE HEARD STANKY IS A SUPERB GUY OFF THE FIELD.
DAD
BUT ON THE FIELD EDDIE STANKY IS PURE TERROR, AND A TRUE COMPETITOR. AND MONTE IRVIN IS THE ULTIMATE CLASS ACT OF A PERSON - THE ULTIMATE NEW YORK GIANT.
JAKE
WELL, IF WE WIN TODAY THE GIANTS ARE 10 AND A HALF OUT.
DAD
AND CLIMBING. A SWEEP OF THE BUMS THIS WEEK AND WE’LL BE 9 AND A HALF OUT. WE’RE GETTING IT DONE BIG TIME.
JAKE
OK DAD, THE QUESTION TONIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON OUR HARLEM LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM THIS YEAR - AND THE BUM PITCHERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF THIS ALL YEAR - IF A PITCHER WETS A BASEBALL IN A FASHION WHILE IN THE 18 FOOT CIRCLE PITCHER’S MOUND, WHAT IS THE PENALTY ?
DAD
ANY DEFACING OR WETTING OF THE BALL IN ANY WAY IS ILLEGAL. THE UMPIRE AT HIS DISCRETION GENERALLY GIVES A DIRECT WARNING UPON THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF BALL DEFACING OR WETTING. THE SECOND DEFACING OR WETTING INFRACTION RESULTS IN THE PITCHER’S EJECTION. NIGHT DAD !
JAKE DAD
GOOD NIGHT. 10 AND A HALF OUT.
AUGUST 15, 1951 JAKE
THE GIANTS REALLY DID IT DAD - A COMPLETE 3 GAME SWEEP OF THE DODGERS.
15
DAD
YES, I HEARD THAT ON THE SUBWAY COMING HOME WITH THE FANS TRANSISTOR RADIOS GLUED TO THEIR EARS. MORE NEW YORKERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE PENNANT RACE NOW.
JAKE
DAD, IT IS REALLY NOT A PENNANT RACE YET. THE GIANTS ARE 9 AND A HALF BACK AGAINST BROOKLYN - WHO IS JUST RESTING PLAYERS FOR THE WORLD SERIES.
DAD
THERE YOU GO AGAIN JAKE. BROOKLYN WILL REGRET EVERY SECOND THEIR STARTING PLAYERS WERE NOT ON THE FIELD. THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE NOW ON A 6 GAME WINNING STREAK, THE BARBER LEADS THE LEAGUE WITH 17 WINS AND ..........
JAKE
YES DAD, I CAN TELL YOU ARE IN HEAVEN, VINDICATED, A TRUE FUTURE PREDICTOR OF EVENTS TO COME, AND......
DAD
JAKE WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE BIGGEST COMEBACK IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY. I KNOW THE BROOKLYN DODGERS ARE FEELING ECHOES OF 1950 AND GALLOPING HORSE HOOVES BEHIND THEM THIS YEAR. YES, THE BROOKS WILL BE DEFINITELY LOOKING BACK OVER THEIR SHOULDERS.
JAKE
I’M STILL EMBARRASSED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT - BUT WE’VE BEEN SO INVOLVED WITH BASEBALL, WE HAVEN’T TALKED ABOUT OUR KATIE GIRL WHO WILL BE HOME FROM THE CATSKILLS IN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS. REMEMBER DAD - YOUR OTHER OFFSPRING MY 14 YEAR OLD SIBLING SISTER.
DAD
YES, WE’VE BEEN LOST IN BASEBALL. WE NEED TO GET KATIE GIRL HOME AS MANY OF HER FRIENDS HAVE BEEN CALLING - ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ROTHBERGS HAVEN’T BEEN ON THE PARTY PHONE LINE. EVERYONE MISSES HER SO MUCH. SHE IS THE LIFE OF OUR HOUSE, SCHOOL, NEIGHBORHOOD, AND CHURCH. SHE IS YOUR MOTHER IN EVERY WAY.
JAKE
DAD, CAN’T WE SPLURGE AND GET A PRIVATE LINE ? THEY HAVE THOSE NOW. PRIVATE LINES ARE ACTUALLY IN – YOU
16
KNOW –COOL. THE THING TO HAVE. KATIE GIRL’S FRIENDS WILL HAVE BETTER ACCESS.
DAD
NO PRIVATE LINE. WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. WE’RE BARELY MAKING IT NOW. YOUR AUNT MARTHA WAS NICE ENOUGH TO TAKE KATIE TO A SUMMER CAMP - WHICH SAVED US CONSIDERABLE MONEY. BUT WE WILL MAKE IT, SOME WAY, SOME HOW. I ONLY WISH I COULD WORK A FULL TIME JOB.
JAKE
OK, LET’S NOT GO INTO “ THE SHOCK TRAUMA SYNDROME “ OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU SUFFERED ON IWO JIMA DAD. YOU JUST GET SO DEPRESSED TALKING ABOUT THAT WAR STUFF - LIKE IT WON’T LEAVE YOUR SYSTEM. LET’S GO BACK TO BASEBALL AS WE DON’T WANT YOU SO DEPRESSED OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. I KNOW WE BOTH MISS KATIE GIRL A TON.
DAD
Destruction of the polo grounds
OK, JAKE, DID YOU SEE THE TRIBUTE TODAY AT COOGAN’S BLUFF TO BABE RUTH ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH FROM CANCER ?
JAKE
I HEARD ALL ABOUT IT. IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE, AS RUTH PLAYED IN COOGAN’S BLUFF, OR AS THE WEALTHY CALL IT - THE POLO GROUNDS - PRIOR TO YANKEE STADIUM BEING BUILT. IT WAS NICE FOR THE GIANTS TO HONOR RUTH - EVEN THOUGH THEY MENTIONED IN THE PAPERS THAT THE YANKEES ACTUALLY GOT THE BOOT OUT OF THE POLO GROUNDS IN 1922.
DAD
THE REAL HISTORY IS THAT THE NEW YORK GOTHAMS ACTUALLY PLAYED IN THE FIRST POLO GROUNDS IN 1884, FOLLOWED BY A NOW DISBANDED METS TEAM. THEN THE GIANTS AND YANKEES PLAYED IN THE NEW POLO GROUNDS AFTER IT WAS REBUILT AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY - AT COOGAN’S BLUFF FOR POLO AND BASEBALL.
JAKE
THANK GOD THE BUMS DIDN’T PLAY THERE ALSO. NOW NEW YORK FOOTBALL IS BEGINNING TO BE PLAYED ALSO AT THE POLO GROUNDS. THERE ARE LINES EVERYWHERE IN THAT STADIUM NOW. WHY DON’T THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS JUST BUILD THEIR OWN STADIUM INSTEAD OF MOOCHING OFF THE GIANTS BASEBALL TEAM ? AND I’M ALSO GLAD THE GIANTS KICKED THE UPPITY YANKEES OVER TO THE BRONX WERE THEY BELONG. YANKEE FANS ARE SO UTTERLY OBNOXIOUS !
First pitch, Game 3
17
DAD
YES, YANKEE STADIUM WAS “ THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT “. THE RIGHT FIELD PORCH WAS ONLY 294 FEET. BUT I AGREE THERE IS A CULTURAL DIVIDE BETWEEN COOGAN’S BLUFF AND THE BRONX IN MANY WAYS. BUT THE YANKS, WELL YOU HAVE TO HAND IT TO THEM - THEY ARE DAMN GOOD, AND WILL DO ANYTHING BORDERLINE LEGAL TO WIN A GAME AT ANY COST.
JAKE
WELL I DARE SAY NO ONE WILL EVER HIT 714 MAJOR LEAGUE HOME RUNS AGAIN, THE BABE’S RECORD.
DAD
Jackie robinson and dodger manager, charlie dressen
YOU’RE PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT, BUT DID YOU KNOW THE CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS HAD A HOMER FENCE OF 150 FEET AT LAKE FRONT PARK IN THE 1880S. BUT NOW THE RULE IS 250 FEET MINIMUM IN ALL FIELDS FOR A HOMER, AND A BOUNCE INTO FAIR STANDS IS A TWO BAGGER. OLD BASEBALL RULES ALLOWED ANY FAIR BALL GOING INTO THE STANDS - WHETHER HIT, BOUNCED, THROWN, OR OFF A MITT TO COUNT AS A HOMER.
JAKE
BEFORE BED DAD, WHAT IS REALLY “ THE CURSE “ ?
DAD
IT REFERS TO THE BIG BABE RUTH TRADE FOR MONEY IN 1919 FROM THE BOSTON RED SOX TO THE YANKEES. THE CURSE IS THAT THE RED SOX WILL NEVER WIN A WORLD SERIES AFTER THIS TRADE.
JAKE
DO YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN “ THE CURSE “ DAD ?
DAD
YES JAKE, IT IS ACTUALLY TRUE. RUTH HELD PITCHING RECORDS FOR THE BOSTON RED SOX WHEN HE WAS TRADED FOR A NOMINAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.
JAKE
BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS ONLY A BIG HITTER ?
DAD
Gil hodges, Dodger first baseman
JANUARY 6, 1919 IS THE MOST FAMOUS PLAYER TRANSFER OF ALL TIME, AS HARRY FRAZEE, THE RED SOX OWNER, LET RUTH GO - WHERE HE WENT ON AND HIT 54 HOMERS FOR THE YANKEES THAT YEAR.
JAKE
THIS MUST HAVE BURIED THE WHITE SOX SCANDAL. 18
DAD
YES, THE MEMORY OF THE WHITE SOX THROWING THE SERIES AND BANNING SHOELESS JOE JACKSON FOR A LIFETIME WAS OVERCOME BY RUTH’S HITTING. THE PUBLIC WANTED BASEBALL BACK AND CLEAN.
JAKE
TIRED DAD - BUT ONE MORE BASEBALL QUESTION - IF THERE ARE NO BASE RUNNERS, HOW LONG DOES A PITCHER HAVE TO LEGALLY PITCH ? I MISS KATIE GIRL. NIGHT.
DAD
20 SECONDS. GOOD NIGHT. 9 AND A HALF OUT.
SOME OF THE GIANTS PLAYERS FROM THE GAME
AUGUST 16, 1951 JAKE
WOW, THE GIANTS WON 7 STRAIGHT, AND HOPEFULLY THEY ARE CLIMBING BACK INTO A PENNANT RACE SO AS TO LESSEN MY UPCOMING EMBARRASSMENT AT CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL THIS YEAR.
DAD
NO CLIMBING TODAY BECAUSE THE DODGERS WON. BUT ANYWAY, IT WAS LIKE A GOOD OLD GAME OF WORK UP FOR OUR GIANTS. SHORTSTOP ALVIN DARK WAS SUPERB - 4 FOR 5. WESTRUM AND SPENCER WERE FABULOUS IN RELIEF. THE PHILS AT SHIBE PARK LOST AGAIN TO OUR GIANTS.
JAKE
INTERESTINGLY, PRESENTLY IN NEW YORK CITY WITH 3 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS, WE HAVE THE 3 VERY BEST BASEBALL PLAYERS AT SPECIFIC POSITIONS ON ALL 3 TEAMS.
DAD
OBVIOUSLY AT SHORT IT IS DARK FOR THE GIANTS, PEE WEE REESE FOR THE BUMS, AND “ THE SCOOTER “ PHIL RIZZUTO FOR THE DREADED BRONX BOMBERS.
JAKE
WELL I WAS ALSO THINKING ABOUT CATCHERS WITH CAMPY IN BROOKLYN, WESTRUM HERE WITH “ THE COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS “, AND THE FAMOUS YOGI BERRA OF THE YANKS.
Bobby Thomson, author of the Shot
19
DAD
YOU COULD ALMOST SAY THAT ABOUT EVERY POSITION - BECAUSE NOW WE CLEARLY HAVE THE VERY BEST IN BASEBALL IN NEW YORK CITY. HOW LONG IT WILL LAST NO ONE KNOWS.
JAKE
DAD, I KEEP HEARING THAT THE BUMS AND GIANTS BOTH MAY MOVE. I COULDN’T IMAGINE THAT.
DAD
WELL THE CALIFORNIA MARKETS MAY OFFER SOMETHING NEW YORK CANNOT.
JAKE
clint Hartung, NY Giants pitcher
IT ISN’T PRESTIGE, CHARM, SPIRIT, OR HISTORY. IT MUST BE CLEARLY MONEY. WHY DON’T THEY JUST START THEIR OWN TEAMS - YOU KNOW - EXPANSION. WHY STEAL OUR TEAMS ?
DAD
WELL THE PLAYER SALARIES KEEP CLIMBING, AND THOSE 25 CENT OUTFIELD SEATS WON’T CUT IT MUCH LONGER FOR THE OWNERS. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.
JAKE
AND THEY NOW WANT 50 CENTS FOR A HOT DOG AT THE GAME. DESPITE THE HOT DOG BEING CREATED FOR BASEBALL AT THE POLO GROUNDS, WHO CAN AFFORD THAT ? THE PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA MUST BE SWEATING MONEY.
DAD
WELL IF THE BUMS FALTER, THEY MAY MOVE IN A YEAR OR TWO.
JAKE
WELL I READ THE TIMES WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON MY ROUTE, AND TODAY DRESSEN SAYS HE ISN’T WORRIED ABOUT THE COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS - OUR NEIGHBORHOOD GIANTS. DRESSEN ALSO SAYS THE BUMS WILL PEAK IN OCTOBER, AND THEY ARE NOT HITTING BECAUSE OF THE BIG LEAD. The polo grounds in the 50’s
DAD
JAKE, I THINK YOU’LL ONLY BECOME A TRUE GIANTS FAN WHEN LEO’S BOYS GET TO WITHIN SAY 5 GAMES.
JAKE
DAD, YOU ARE THE BIGGEST DREAMER. THE GIANTS ARE NEARLY 10 GAMES OUT! THEY HAVE PLAYED TERRIBLE THIS YEAR UP UNTIL THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
20
BUT WE ARE CLIMBING.
DAD JAKE
OK, WHEN THE GIANTS INCH A LITTLE CLOSER I’LL WARM UP TO THE GIANTS MORE - SINCE THEY ARE OUR TRUE BOROUGH TEAM.
DAD
REMEMBER WHAT I SAID ABOUT A TRUE BLUE FAN - ALWAYS THERE THROUGH THICK AND THIN - GOOD AND BAD TIMES.
JAKE
WELL I DON’T GET THE FEELING IN GIANTS LAND LIKE THEY DO IN BROOKLYN WITH THE DODGERS - AT LEAST NOT THIS YEAR.
DAD
WELL THE GIANTS FAN IS A BIT MORE SOPHISTICATED. THE BROOKLYN FAN IS TRULY IN LOVE WITH THE TEAM AND PLAYERS. EVERYONE KNOWS BOTH PLAYERS AND FANS. YOU CAN ACTUALLY WALK DOWN THE STREETS OF BROOKLYN AND TALK TO PLAYERS AND COACHES AS IF THEY WERE YOUR NEIGHBORS ON A FIRST NAME BASIS. IT’S THAT CLOSE A COMMUNITY !
A game underway in the polo grounds
JAKE
BUT BROOKLYN IS 3 MILLION PEOPLE !
DAD
DOESN’T MATTER - THE BROOKS ARE STILL THAT CLOSE. AND A LITTLE KNOWN FACT IS THAT BROOKLYN SUPPLIED MORE VETERANS THAN 38 OTHER STATES COMBINED IN WORLD WAR II.
JAKE
MORE WAR STUFF. THAT WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU DAD. WELL I GUESS BROOKLYN ISN’T BROOKLYN WITHOUT THE DODGERS.
DAD
YES, AND I HOPE THEY NEVER MOVE. THE BUMS SUCCESS IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON THEIR FANS. EBBETTS FIELD ON FLATBUSH AVENUE IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.
JAKE
the polo grounds as it was in 1904
ONE MORE BASEBALL AND SPORTS QUESTION DAD. WHO ARE THE 4 ATHLETES THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE WHEATIES BOX - AND THEN NIGHT.
21
DAD
EASY. BOB LEMON, OTTO GRAHAM, JOHNNY LUJACK, AND THE PITTSBURGH SLUGGER, RALPH KINER. GOOD NIGHT. 9 AND HALF OUT AND CLIMBING.
AUGUST 17, 1951 JAKE
TODAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. I’M SO TIRED, BUT THE GIANTS UNBELIEVABLY HAVE REJUVENATED ME.
DAD
YOU’RE FEELING GREAT BECAUSE LARRY JANSEN BEAT ROBIN ROBERTS - WHO IS AN AUTOMATIC CINCH FOR BASEBALL’S HALL OF FAME. ROBIN REPEATEDLY BREAKS RECORDS FOR PHILLY AND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.
JAKE
AND THE GIANTS ARE WINNING IN THE NIGHT CAP WITH MAYS ALREADY HAVING 2 HITS. LEO IS LETTING IT ALL OUT AGAINST THE PHILS.
DAD
YES, LEO DUROCHER DOESN’T HAVE A “ KOOL AID “ PERSONALITY BY ANY MEANS. HIS HIGH HAUGHTY ACTRESS WIFE, LARAINE DAY, KEEPS LEO A BIT ON HIS TOES.
JAKE
BOY, YOU SHOULD READ THE SPORTING NEWS AND THE TIMES TODAY. LEO IS SENDING SLOW GUYS TO STEAL ANYBODY THAT CAN WALK IS GIVEN THE GO SIGN FOR BASE STEALS - EXACTLY LIKE THE CARDINALS’ GAS HOUSE GANG OF THE 1930S.
DAD
LEO KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING; AND TOMORROW IF WE SWEEP PHILADELPHIA, AND IF BOSTON CAN TAME THE BUMS WITH SPAHN PITCHING.........
JAKE
AND IF THE DODGERS LOSE ALMOST EVERY GAME UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE GIANTS WIN ALL THEIR GAMES, THE COOGAN BLUFF BOYS ARE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING ? NOT TOO LIKELY DAD.
DAD
YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT !
22
JAKE
IT WILL NOT HAPPEN DAD. THE ODDS ARE REMOTE. DODGERS ARE TOO GOOD AND THE GIANTS, WELL - THEY AREN’T THAT GOOD ON THE FIELD - BUT ON PAPER THEY ARE GREAT.
DAD
THE GIANTS WILL GET THE JOB DONE. YOU’LL JUST SEE HOW REALLY GREAT OUR GIANTS TEAM IS. AND HOW ABOUT OUR KATIE GIRL COMING HOME SOON FROM AUNT MARTHA’S PLACE AND CATHOLIC CHURCH CAMP IN THE CATSKILLS.
Alvin Dark, NY giants
JAKE
I’M GOING TO BED. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE KATIE GIRL. WHY SHE’LL HAVE GROWN AN INCH THIS SUMMER I BET. NIGHT ! BUT ONE MORE QUESTION - IF A BATTING TEAM HAS A PLAYER ON THIRD, HE SLIDES HOME BUT MISSES THE BAG AND WALKS TOWARDS THE DUGOUT WITHOUT MAKING A MOTION TO TOUCH HOME PLATE, IS HE OUT ?
DAD
YES DEFINITELY - EVEN IF THE CATCHER DOESN’T TAG HIM. GOOD NIGHT ! 8 AND A HALF GAMES OUT - AND DEFINITELY CLIMBING.
AUGUST 18, 1951 JAKE
HEY DAD - I THINK I’M OLD ENOUGH NOW TO HANDLE WHY MOM DIED. I’VE ONLY HEARD RUMORS. PLEASE TELL ME EVEN IF IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE. PLEASE! I NEED TO KNOW STUFF ABOUT MOM.
DAD
WELL THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME - AS IS WORLD WAR II TALKING. MOST OF US SUFFERED FROM SOME SORT OF SHELL SHOCK OR STRESS TRAUMA SYNDROME.
JAKE
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH MOM DYING ? DID SHE DIE WHILE HAVING A BABY ? I’VE HEARD RUMORS DAD. TELL ME. I NEED TO KNOW.
DAD
First pitch of fateful 3rd playoff game
WE ARE IN WHAT WILL BE THE GIANTS BIGGEST WIN STREAK OF ALL TIME AND YOU WANT ME TO TALK ABOUT MOM’S DEATH ? NO, I MUST COME TO MY SENSES AND DEAL WITH THIS....AND I GUESS SOMETIME YOU ACTUALLY MUST KNOW 23
AND UNDERSTAND. YOU KNOW I’M NOT CRAZY ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THIS STUFF - BECAUSE IT RELATES BACK TO THE WAR - FROM WHICH I’VE NEVER RECOVERED.
JAKE
DAD, PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ME. I FLAT OUT NEED TO KNOW YOU KNEW HOW YOUR PARENTS DIED. WHY CAN’T I KNOW ? WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ?
DAD
WELL I WILL THINK ABOUT IT AND MAYBE TOMORROW GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF EVENTS FROM THE WAR AND MOM’S DEATH.
JAKE
I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY - I THINK. THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT SUPPER – I LOVE CONEYS AND FRIES. I BET MOM WAS A GREAT COOK - BUT I HAVE MY DAD WHO IS BOTH A MOM AND DAD. EVER THINK ABOUT GETTING MARRIED DAD, SO I CAN HAVE A REAL MOM AND YOU CAN HAVE A REAL WIFE AGAIN ? NIGHT.
DAD
WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. IT’S A NO GO - NOT EVEN A WAR WIDOW - AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF THEM IN OUR AREA. NO ONE WOULD WANT ME AS A PARTNER. AND I’D PROBABLY RUN INTO A WOMAN WHO’S A BROOKLYN DODGER FAN WITH MY LUCK. GOOD NIGHT - 9 GAMES OUT BUT MY GIANTS ARE STILL CLIMBING.
JAKE
OK DAD BEFORE BED, IF A MANAGER GOES TO THE MOUND 2 TIMES IN ONE INNING, WHAT MUST HAPPEN - AND THEN NIGHT ?
DAD
A PITCHING CHANGE! GOOD - NIGHT.
END – ACT I – SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD Example of an iron lung
24