Act II - “dead man running” 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
Gil hodges, Dodger first baseman
AUGUST 19, 1951 JAKE
PLEASE DAD TELL ME ABOUT MOM TONIGHT. PLEASE !
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DAD
OK, I’LL TRY TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THIS, BUT YOU’LL LEARN A FEW THINGS - SOME OF WHICH AIN’T PRETTY. OK, GO.
JAKE DAD
WELL, YOUR MOM AND I MET WHILE I WAS IN BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP MCCOY. SHE WAS FROM A SMALL TOWN IN WISCONSIN, AND NEVER WANTED TO LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY.
JAKE
WHY NOT - WITH ALL THE BASEBALL AND EVERYTHING ELSE - WHY LOTS OF GIRLS LIKE NEW YORK AND ALL ITS EXCITEMENT AND ATTRACTIONS - AND NEVER WANT TO LEAVE.
SOME OF THE GIANTS PLAYERS FROM THE GAME
DAD
NEW YORK WAS SO FAR AWAY FROM MOM’S FAMILY, IT WASN’T EVEN A QUESTION THAT WE WOULDN’T LIVE IN WISCONSIN FOR MANY REASONS - MOSTLY FAMILY.
JAKE
SO WE WOULD HAVE LIVED IN WISCONSIN HAD MOM LIVED ? YES, NO DOUBT !
DAD JAKE
SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED.
DAD
WELL I RECEIVED MY ORDERS FROM CALIFORNIA TO SHIP OUT ABOUT THE TIME YOUR MOM WAS DUE WITH OUR 3RD CHILD.
JAKE
YOU MEAN YOU COULDN’T STAY WITH MOM FOR THE DELIVERY ?
DAD
UNFORTUNATELY WAR DEPARTMENT POLICY. THE ARMY NEEDED AS MANY QUALIFIED MEN AS POSSIBLE TO INVADE A PLACE CALLED IWO JIMA NEAR JAPAN - THE VERY LAST LAND INVASION BEFORE THE ULTIMATE TOKYO INVASION.
Bobby Thomson, author of the Shot
JAKE
GO ON. YOU STILL HAVEN’T TOLD ME MUCH YET. 3
DAD
MOM WENT INTO LABOR ON THE DAY THE US MARINES - ME INCLUDED - WERE INVADING IWO JIMA AND ........... AND WHAT ?
JAKE DAD
AND SHE RECEIVED A SADDLE BLOCK FOR LABOR PAIN RELIEF AND .......
JAKE
AND WHAT ? WHAT’S A SADDLE BLOCK ? SOUNDS WEIRD ! clint Hartung, NY Giants pitcher
DAD
IT’S A LOW SPINAL BLOCK FOR PAIN CONTROL. VERY COMMON PROCEDURE. MOST WOMEN RECEIVE THIS TREATMENT DURING CHILDBIRTH.
JAKE
SO THEN WHAT ? SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED WITH THIS SADDLE BLOCK.
DAD
WELL SHE LOST HER BLOOD PRESSURE AND CIRCULATION........THEN SHE STARTED HEMORRHAGING.... AND THEN SHE UNDERWENT EMERGENCY SURGERY TO TRY TO SAVE THE BABY AND HER AND.....
JAKE
AND THEN SHE DIDN’T MAKE IT, AND BABY RACHEL WAS STILL BORN...... OR BORN DEAD.
DAD
YOU ARE RIGHT. WHERE DID YOU HEAR THIS ?
JAKE
AUNT MARTHA WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE EVENING.
DAD
WELL YOU CERTAINLY PICKED UP ON THIS ALRIGHT.
JAKE
SO WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS DAD ? The polo grounds in the 50’s
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DAD
I DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL I AWOKE A FEW DAYS LATER AT PEARL HARBOR HOSPITAL IN HAWAII - HAVING BEEN DRAGGED OUT OF IWO JIMA BY MY CHILDHOOD BUDDY WILLIE REYNOLDS.
WHERE IS WILLIE NOW ?
JAKE DAD
WELL AFTER SECURING THE ISLAND THE AMERICANS FOUND WILLIE DEAD - AFTER HE HAD APPARENTLY THROWN ME INTO A RESCUE BOAT - AFTER I WAS SEVERELY INJURED. I ONLY REMEMBER GETTING HIT IN THE CHEST, RECEIVING A HUGE BLAST, AND THEN BEGINNING A ROSARY. WE BOTH HIT THE WATER WITH 60 POUND PACKS AND I WENT STRAIGHT DOWN. WILLIE TOOK OFF HIS PACK AND WENT UNDERWATER TO KNIFE MY PACK LOOSE, AND THEN DRAGGED ME ONTO A NEARBY BOAT. WILLIE RECEIVED MULTIPLE MILITARY AWARDS - INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS ACTIONS WHILE UNDER ATTACK BY AN ENEMY FORCE.
A game underway in the polo grounds
JAKE
WHAT HAPPENED TO WILLIE’S FAMILY ?
DAD
INTERESTING THAT A 13 YEAR OLD SHOULD ASK SUCH A QUESTION.
JAKE
I’M ADVANCED FOR MY YEARS. THAT IS VERY DEBATABLE.
DAD DAD
BUT ANYWAY, WILLIE AND HIS WIFE WERE BOTH GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE AS YOUTH IN HARLEM. THEY JUST HAD TRIPLETS. WE ALWAYS SAID WE’D RETURN HERE AND RAISE FAMILIES AND ROOT FOR THE GIANTS. WILLIE AND SUSIE WERE BIG GIANTS FANS - AND WILLIE HAD A BIG COLLECTION OF GIANTS MEMORABILIA.
JAKE
BUT YOU WOULD HAVE LIVED IN WISCONSIN.
DAD
ACTUALLY SUSIE WAS TO WORK ON MOM TO CONVINCE HER TO MOVE NEAR THE GIANTS STADIUM ON TOP OF COOGAN’S BLUFF, BUT WE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO CHANGE MOM’S MIND. WE WOULD HAVE ALL BEEN TOGETHER THEN - FRIENDS FOR LIFE.
the polo grounds as it was in 1904
5
JAKE
WELL DAD, HAVE YOU TALKED TO SUSIE REYNOLDS MUCH, OR DONE ANYTHING FOR HER FAMILY SINCE WILLIE SAVED YOU ?
DAD
I WAS SO ILL FOR SO LONG, I FINALLY CALLED SUSIE WHEN I RETURNED TO NEW YORK CITY, BUT SUSIE REYNOLDS DIDN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WAR OR ANYTHING REMOTELY RELATED TO THE WAR. SHE THANKED ME FOR THE PHONE CALL, AND I ASKED THAT SHE CALL ME IF SHE NEEDED ANYTHING. I’VE NOT SEEN HER PRIOR TO WILLIE’S DEATH AT IWO. WILLIE WAS BURIED AT ARLINGTON. I WAS AT PEARL HARBOR HOSPITAL JUST TRYING TO LIVE - I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW UNTIL A MONTH LATER THAT WILLIE HAD DIED SAVING ME. I FELT IF HE COULD SAVE ME, THEN I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAVE HIM.
JAKE
DAD, PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT WILLIE’S BASEBALL COLLECTION.
DAD
WILLIE HAD EVERY THING GIANTS - BASEBALLS, AUTOGRAPHS, JERSEYS, AND EVERYTHING FROM JOHN MCGRAW, CHRISTY MATHEWSON, BILL TERRY, AND MEL OTT.
JAKE
WELL MAYBE WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR SUSIE AND THE TRIPLETS.
DAD
YOU’RE RIGHT, BUT WE HAVE A TIME JUST TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILY. SOME DAY WE’LL DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR WILLIE’S FAMILY.
JAKE
I KNOW YOU’RE THINKING THAT I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WAR ANY MORE SO I WON’T. THANKS DAD. BUT ONE BASEBALL RULE QUESTION BEFORE BED TIME. IF TWO PLAYERS OCCUPY A BASE, CAN YOU TAG OUT THE SECOND RUNNER WHO COMES ONTO THE BASE ?
DAD
YES, ALWAYS. TWO PLAYERS CANNOT OCCUPY A BASE AND BOTH AVOID TAGS. STILL 8 AND A HALF OUT. GOOD-NIGHT ! BUT CLIMBING. NIGHT.
6
JAKE
AUGUST 20, 1951 DAD
WELL CINCINNATI IS FACING THE HOTTEST TEAM IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TODAY - THE GIANTS.
JAKE
YES I’D AGREE. THE GIANTS WITH DUROCHER AS MANAGER MAY BREAK THEIR OWN MCGRAW TEAM AND MAJOR LEAGUE WINNING STREAK OF 26 GAMES IN 1916 IF THIS KEEPS UP - BUT THEY WON’T CATCH BROOKLYN.
DAD
THE FABULOUS PLAY OF STANKY, WESTRUM, AND LOCKMAN CONTINUES. WE MAY SWEEP CINCY.
JAKE
Alvin Dark, NY giants
YES, JONES PITCHED WELL AGAINST THE RED LEGS.
DAD
WELL I HAVE BEEN READING THE BROOKLYN EAGLE WHICH QUOTES PEE WEE REESE AS SAYING THE DODGER FANS ARE GETTING EDGY.
JAKE
YES, AND IT ALSO STATES REESE SAYS THE TEAM WINS WHEN IT COUNTS.
DAD
A TON OF BASEBALL LEFT SON. WE WILL SEE IF THE BUMS CAN WIN DOWN THE STRETCH.
JAKE
WELL THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE DODGER FANS ARE BEGINNING TO LINE UP ON THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE WAITING FOR THEIR BIG CHANCE TO JUMP AND END THE SEASON.
DAD
THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY SCARES ME ABOUT BROOKLYN’S TEAM IS KING FROM THE BULLPEN, AND THOMPSON, SNIDER, ROBINSON, AND PAFCO ARE REALLY BEGINNING TO HIT. TRUST ME, AS MUCH AS I DISLIKE THE BUMS, THEY ARE A GOOD TEAM AND I HIGHLY RESPECT THEM AS A BASEBALL CLUB.
JAKE
BUT THE DODGERS HAVE WON THE LAST 2 GAMES IN THE TENTH INNING. THEY ARE VERY LUCKY BUMS.
First pitch of fateful 3rd playoff game
7
DAD
NO JAKE, THEY ARE JUST A GOOD BASEBALL TEAM - AND WILL BE FOR A LONG TIME.
JAKE
WELL “ THE LIP “ DUROCHER HAS ANTS IN HIS PANTS BECAUSE HE HASN’T CHANGED THEM SINCE THE GIANTS WIN STREAK BEGAN.
DAD
LEO’S BEEN GIVEN RABBIT’S FEET, COINS, ROSARIES, STAR OF DAVID, EARTH STONES, AND EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD TO KEEP THIS WIN STREAK GOING. approx location where willie mays made “the Catch”
JAKE
WELL I’M BEGINNING TO CHANGE AS THE GIANTS INCH CLOSER. DIDN’T GRANDPA SAY THE TRUE MEASURE OF A SPORT IS WHEN THE FANS HAVE MORE FUN THAN THE PLAYERS - AND THAT IS WHAT IS NOW HAPPENING WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN NEW YORK CITY - WITH 3 OF THE VERY BEST TEAMS.
DAD
YES, GRANDPA SAW MOST OF THE GIANT’S 13 PENNANTS.
JAKE
KONIKOWSKI HAS BEEN CALLED UP FROM OTTAWA TO PITCH - NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT SAY THE GIANTS COACHES.
DAD
KONIKOWSKI HAS HAD 5 RECENT SHUTOUTS IN OTTAWA, SO HE BELONGS AT THE POLO GROUNDS DOWN THE STRETCH. I THINK WE’RE BOTH GETTING TIRED JAKE.
JAKE
OK, BUT THIS IS A TOUGH RULES QUESTION DAD. I’M CERTAIN YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT MINOR LEAGUE GAME IN JERSEY WHERE THE RUNNER COLLAPSED AND DIED ON THIRD BASE - AND THEN THE RUNNER BEHIND HIM PUSHED HIM TO HOME PLATE WHERE 2 RUNS SCORED.IS THAT LEGAL DAD ? plaque unveiled noting location of home plate in the polo grounds after studium was razed.
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DAD
IT DEPENDS. THE UMP CAN CALL TIME AT ANY POINT IN THE GAME - FOR PLAYER INCAPACITY OR SUBSTITUTE - AND IT’S A DEAD BALL. EVERYTHING THEN STOPS. APPARENTLY IN JERSEY HOWEVER, IT REQUIRES MORE THAN DEATH TO STOP A BASEBALL GAME.
JAKE
WELL I’M HEADING TO BED AS I’VE GOT THE EARLY TIMES ROUTE TOMORROW AND MASS SERVING AT CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH. NIGHT.
DAD
GOOD-NIGHT. THE GIANTS ARE RIGHT THERE - 9 OUT.
AUGUST 21, 1951 JAKE
WE’RE INCHING CLOSER TO THE LABOR DAY SERIES BETWEEN THE BUMS AND GIANTS.
DAD
HOPEFULLY WE’LL BE WITHIN 5 BY THAT DATE.
dedication stone noting stairway to polo grounds
JAKE
DID YOU SEE THAT THE BUMS STARTED PLAY TODAY, BUT WERE RAINED OUT AND RESCHEDULED FOR A DAY/NIGHT DOUBLEHEADER. NEWCOMBE WAS BEHIND 1 LOVE BEFORE THE RAIN HIT.
DAD
YES, IT’S A BREAK FOR THE BUMS AS THE CARDS INDEED MAY HAVE BEATEN BROOKLYN. BUT OUR ALMIGHTY GIANTS HAVE CONTINUED TO WIN, AND THE WIN STREAK ROLLS ON.
JAKE
YES, THE GIANTS CREAMED CINCY. STANKY, WESTRUM, AND LOCKMAN ALL HOMERED AFTER BEING DOWN 4 -1. GREAT COMEBACK I MUST SAY FROM AN ADMITTED FAIR WEATHER FAN.
DAD
LEO JUST KNOWS HOW TO WIN. HE’S THINKING PENNANT ALL THE WAY - AND IT SHOWS IN THE PLAYERS.
JAKE
WILL WE GO TO THE GAME LABOR DAY WEEKEND OR PICK UP KATIE GIRL OR BOTH ?
DAD
WE’LL PROBABLY JUST PICK UP OUR KATIE GIRL, AS I HAVE TO GET HER DOWN TO MACYS FOR SOME SCHOOL CLOTHES. THAT WILL TAKE TIME.
stairway as it appears today
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JAKE
WELL, AS THE RACE GETS CLOSER DAD, CAN I GO OVER TO THE TOP OF COOGAN’S BLUFF AND WATCH THE GAMES FOR FREE AFTER SCHOOL ? YOU CAN SEE NEARLY EVERYTHING FROM ABOVE RIGHT FIELD.
DAD
I’LL THINK ABOUT IT. I’M CONCERNED ABOUT SCHOOL, HOMEWORK, AND THE TIMES ROUTE GETTING DONE. I DON’T WANT PHONE CALLS NOW AFTER FANS SEE YOU AT COOGAN’S BLUFF - LIKE THE ONES I RECEIVED WHEN YOU WERE PLAYING BALL AT RUCKERS PARK.
JAKE
Roy campAnella, dodger catcher
MY TIMES CUSTOMERS SAY LEO’S CLOTHES ARE ROTTING WITH THE WIN STREAK AT 12 GAMES. A FIELDER’S CHOICE DECIDED THE GAME LATE FOR THE GIANTS.
DAD
BIG BASEBALL TERM FOR A 13 YEAR OLD. DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT A FIELDER’S CHOICE IS ?
JAKE
YES, IT IS WHEN A FIELDER MAKES A CHOICE TO GET A BASE RUNNER INSTEAD OF THE BATTER. THOUGH THE BATTER GETS ON BASE, HE DOESN’T GET CREDIT FOR A VALID HIT BECAUSE HE COULD’VE BEEN THROWN OUT HIMSELF.
DAD
EXACTLY CORRECT. IT’S A DIFFICULT BASEBALL CONCEPT, BUT FAIR.
JAKE
I’M GETTING UP EARLY TOMORROW SO I’M HEADING TO BED. NIGHT DAD.
DAD
GOOD-NIGHT. 8 OUT AND STILL MOVING FORWARD.
AUGUST 22, 1951 JAKE
polo grounds home plate location plaque as it appears today
10
HEY DAD, I KNOW THEY CALL EBBETTS FIELD FLATBUSH, BUT WHY AREN’T THE DODGER FANS TURNING OUT IN DROVES SINCE IT APPEARS WE HAVE A REAL PENNANT CHASE ?
DAD
OH, THOSE DARN SEATS AT EBBETTS ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE WITH POOR VIEWS OF THE FIELD. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW GOOD SEATS TAKEN FOR YEARS BY DODGER FAITHFUL. THERE ARE CONTINUING HINTS THAT THE O’MALLEYS MAY ULTIMATELY MOVE IF THE BUM FANS DON’T OFFER MORE SUPPORT. AND THE CITY OF BROOKLYN NEEDS TO ACT ON A NEW BASEBALL STADIUM.
JAKE
DO YOU MEAN DAD, A MOVE TO LOS ANGELES AS THE BROOKLYN EAGLE MENTIONED ?
DAD
IT WOULD BE VERY VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO IMAGINE BROOKLYN NOT HAVING THE DODGERS.
JAKE
sal maglie, giants pitcher
YES, THE GREAT DODGERS-GIANTS RIVALRY WOULD END.
DAD
ON TOP OF THAT, RECENTLY THIS GOOD BUT NOT GREAT DODGER TEAM HAS BEEN PULLING GAMES OUT OF NOWHERE - WITH KING IN RELIEF.
JAKE
DO YOU THINK TV WILL DRAG FANS AWAY FROM FLATBUSH ?
DAD
IF I WERE A BUM FAN, I WOULD GO EVERYDAY - AS I WOULD GO TO EVERY GAME AT THE POLO GROUNDS IF WE HAD THE MONEY.
JAKE
WE’LL HAVE MONEY SOME DAY AND YOU WILL GET WELL. MAYBE YOU SHOULD REMARRY DAD - AND THE NEW WIFE WOULD ALSO WORK - THAT WOULD HELP. NOT ALL WOMEN HAVE TO HANG CLOTHES ALL DAY - YOU KNOW THAT IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE “BEAT GENERATION” - NEW WAYS OF LIVING - NONCONVENTIONAL STUFF.
DAD
COMING FROM A 13 YEAR OLD WITH TONS OF LIFE EXPERIENCES, THIS NEW “IN OR BEAT GENERATION” STUFF REALLY SOUNDS LIKE WHAT I NEED. I’D BE HANGING THE WASH WHILE MY NEW BEAT GENERATION WIFE HAD WORK MEETINGS.
scene at home plate following walk off home run by thomson
JAKE
IT MAY MAKE MORE SENSE THAN YOU REALIZE. AUNT MARTHA SAYS YOU’D BE BETTER IF YOU REMARRIED. 11
DAD
OK, I’LL REMARRY IF THAT IS WHAT EVERYONE IN OUR FAMILY DECIDES. BUT FIRST I MUST GET MY STRENGTH BACK AND FIND A CURE FOR STRESS TRAUMA SYNDROME OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT GIVES ME ZERO STRENGTH. I’M SO AWFULLY SICK OF THIS STUFF. IT NEVER ENDS. I CAN’T SLEEP SO I’M WIPED ALL DAY. I WAKE UP IN SWEATS THINKING THE JAPANESE ARE POUNDING ME INTO SUBMISSION, AND WANTING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION BEFORE THEY TORTURE ME TO DEATH. THE WORST NIGHTMARES EVER. JUST AWFUL. THE NIGHT TERRORS WON’T GO AWAY LIKE THE PSYCHIATRISTS SAID THEY WOULD WITH TIME. I NEED MUCH BETTER DRUGS. AND THEN I THINK OF MOM AND RACHEL DYING.... AND I JUST LOSE IT. I CAN’T CONCENTRATE ON ANY PRODUCTIVE WORK. MAYBE I SHOULDN’T LIVE.
JAKE
THERE YOU ARE GOING OFF AGAIN DAD. IT’S GOOD TO VENT, BUT IT’S BEEN 6 YEARS. WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THIS. MOM, RACHEL AND WILLIE AREN’T COMING BACK. EVEN I KNOW THAT. THEY’RE IN HEAVEN. NONE OF THEM WOULD WANT YOU BROODING ABOUT THEM THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. ALL THE COUNSELORS, DRUGS, BASEBALL GAMES - NOTHING WILL BRING THESE PEOPLE BACK. IT’S OVER. WE HAVE EACH OTHER....AND THAT IS CONSIDERABLE....AND I’M NO MOM, WILLIE OR RACHEL...BUT I’M OK. WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS THING TOGETHER.
DAD
WELL YOU’RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT DATING WAR WIDOWS - WELL I’VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU. WAR WIDOWS DON’T DATE. THEY BEGIN TO PLAN MARRIAGE IF THE GUY JUST SMILES ON THE FIRST ENCOUNTER - I KNOW THIS SINCE MANY OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MARRIED WAR WIDOWS - AND THESE GALS ALL HAVE THEIR PROBLEMS TOO - SOME OF THEM NEVER GET OVER THEIR REAL LOVE OR REAL FIRST HUSBAND’S DEATH FROM THE WAR. IT’S NOT THAT EASY. I DON’T NEED ANYMORE BAGGAGE. I’VE GOT ENOUGH OF MY OWN. IT’S HARD FOR ME TO WALK OUT THE DOOR.
JAKE
Example of an iron lung
12
WELL THEN - DON’T MARRY A WAR WIDOW DAD. MARRY SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS NOT A WAR WIDOW - OR BETTER YET LIVE WITH SOMEONE - LIKE THE “BEAT GENERATION” DOES. I’LL MOVE TO AUNT MARTHA’S IN THE CATSKILLS. IT WILL WORK.
DAD
I THINK WE BOTH BETTER CALM DOWN BEFORE WE TURN COMMUNIST OR LIBERTARIAN.
JAKE
OK THEN DAD, AND BEFORE I’M OFF TO BED, IF A BATTER STANDS OUT OF THE BATTER’S BOX AND DELAYS THE GAME, WHAT HAPPENS ?
DAD
A WARNING TO BAT, AND IF NO RESPONSE BY THE BATTER, 3 PITCHES ANYWHERE -BALL OR STRIKE - AND THE BATTER IS OUT.
JAKE
WELL I’M TIRED AGAIN SO NIGHT.
DAD
GOOD NIGHT. 8 GAMES OUT.
don mueller baseball card, NY giants
AUGUST 23, 1951 JAKE
THE CARDS REALLY SOCKED IT TO BROOKLYN TODAY DAD. THAT’LL GET YOUR STRENGTH UP I HOPE. YES IT DOES - A TON.
DAD JAKE
YOU CAN’T WAIT UNTIL DRESSEN GETS BEAT.
DAD
DRESSEN IS THE MOST POMPOUS IRRITATING MANAGER FOR THAT MATTER - MOST POMPOUS IRRITATING PERSON IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
JAKE
I SEE YOU HAVE CALM FEELINGS ABOUT CHARLIE DRESSEN. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FEEL WHEN CHARLIE WALKS INTO THE PENNANT - RESTING HIS FAMED INTEGRATED TEAM ?
DAD
WELL DRESSEN AND THE REST OF THE BUMS AT FLATBUSH WILL FIGHT TO STAY ALIVE AND INCUR A THROAT GASHING BY THE COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS - OUR FAMED GIANTS.
“The shot heard ‘round the world”
13
JAKE
I STRONGLY GET THE POINT DAD. EVER THINK ABOUT TAKING A WAR WIDOW TO THE GREAT CARUSO OR SHOWBOAT ?
DAD
NOW I’M CHARGED MAXIMALLY. I’LL NEVER GET TO BED. YOU WON’T QUIT JAKE ! WATCH THE 3 STOOGES, TOM AND JERRY, OR DENNIS THE MENACE LIKE THE REST OF YOUR GENERATION. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A REMEDIAL ADULT PSYCHIATRIST.
JAKE
OK, SINCE YOU CAN’T SLEEP, IS A BATTER REQUIRED TO HAVE A BAT IN THE BATTER’S BOX ? Andy pafko, Brooklyn Dodgers
DAD
NO BAT REQUIRED - AND IT HAS BEEN DONE IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL JUST TO FRUSTRATE A PITCHER. LIKE THE MIDGETS ?
JAKE DAD
WELL THE MIDGETS ARE NOW OUTLAWED IN BASEBALL AS THE 3 FOOT ONE INCH GUY FROM CLEVELAND BROWNS, EDDIE GAEDEL, ENDED HIS CAREER BY A COMMISSIONER RULING SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED. ESSENTIALLY NO STRIKE ZONE. UNFAIR. NO MIDGETS BATTING IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. NIGHT.
JAKE DAD
GOOD NIGHT. 7 AND A HALF OUT TODAY WITH THE BUM LOSS.
AUGUST 24, 1951 JAKE
DO YOU BELIEVE THEY HAD THOUSANDS OF WOMEN FOR LADIES DAY AT EBBETTS TODAY DAD ? THIS WOULD’VE BEEN YOUR CHANCE DAD! Ralph Branca, Losing pitcher in game
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DAD
THE O’MALLEY’S WILL DO ANYTHING FOR FANS - AS MOST PEOPLE FEEL BROOKLYN HAS THE PENNANT WRAPPED UP. AND I’D JUMP OFF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE MYSELF BEFORE
I’D DATE A WOMAN HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DODGERS.
JAKE
BUT BRANCA GOT THE WIN TODAY. AND IF YOU WENT DAD, YOU MAY HAVE FOUND A LADY WHO REALLY WASN’T INTO THE BROOKLYN DODGERS AND ALL THE HOOPLA SURROUNDING THIS TEAM WITH THE BIG LEAD.
DAD
YES, BRANCA IS QUITE GOOD, BUT HE IS JUST LIKE ALL THE REST OF THE BUMS - ONE BIG FAMILY TOTALLY OVER CONFIDENT...AND I’M NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT RALPH’S UPCOMING MARRIAGE TO A DODGER BRASS’S DAUGHTER. THESE ARE BUMS MARRYING BUMS - TOTAL INBREEDING... AND THEIR KIDS WILL GROW UP TO BE BUMS ALSO...IT WILL NEVER END. GO NEW YORK GIANTS.
JAKE
YOU MEAN DRESSEN WILL GET OUT MANAGED DOWN THE STRETCH.
DAD
YOU BET ! THE LIP IS THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. YOU SAW WHAT THE GIANTS DID TODAY IN THE LAST INNING - TOTALLY AMAZING. LOCKMAN, MAYS, THOMSON, DARK, AND IRVIN WERE TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WIN STREAK - GREAT TEAM CHEMISTRY. WE WILL GET TO THE NL PENNANT.
JAKE
EARLY MORNING TIMES ROUTE. NIGHT.
DAD
GOOD-NIGHT. WITH A WIN STREAK OF 12 GAMES AND WE ARE NOW 6 AND A HALF BACK. TAKE THAT - NEW YORK TIMES, SPORTING NEWS, AND BROOKLYN EAGLE.
AUGUST 25, 1951 JAKE
DAD, WHEN WILL KATIE GIRL GET HOME ? THE MONDAY EVENING OF LABOR DAY WEEKEND ?
DAD
SHE’LL BE HOME LATE AFTERNOON LABOR DAY WITH AUNT MARTHA. WE’LL PICK HER UP AT PENN STATION.
JAKE
HAVE YOU BOUGHT HER NEW SCHOOL CLOTHES FROM MACYS YET ? 15
DAD
NO, I HAVE NOT SINCE I WAS INTENDING TO ASK AUNT MARTHA TO STAY A COUPLE EXTRA DAYS SO SHE COULD ASSIST KATIE GIRL WITH BUYING NEW CLOTHES.
JAKE
YES DAD, THAT IS ONE AREA WHERE WE BOTH WOULD FALL DOWN - BUYING CLOTHES FOR KATIE GIRL - AS SHE IS FAST BECOMING OF THE AGE WHERE WE CANNOT JUST PUT ON HAND ME DOWNS AND GET AWAY WITH IT. SHE TOLD ME THAT IN A LETTER THIS SUMMER.
DAD
WELL IF YOUR MOTHER WERE HERE, THIS WOULD’VE ALREADY BEEN DONE.
JAKE
MANY THINGS IN OUR LIFE WOULD BE ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT IF MOM WERE HERE; SO THAT IS WHY YOU SHOULD GET REMARRIED DAD.
DAD
HERE WE GO AGAIN - MY 13 YEAR OLD RUNNING MY LIFE. WELL IT’S NOT LIKE I GO OUT AND PROCLAIM I’M IN THE MARKET FOR MARRIAGE.
JAKE
YES YOU DO DAD. IN FACT YOU’VE MADE YOURSELF THE LEAST AVAILABLE GUY IN NEW YORK CITY. IN FACT I JUST READ IN THE TIMES THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC OF WAR WIDOWS AND OTHER WOMEN BECAUSE OF WORLD WAR II AND NOW KOREA. THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR.
DAD
JAKE, THAT’S ALL I NEED IS A WAR WIDOW - SOMEONE GRIEVING ON TOP OF MY GRIEF. AGAIN BAGGAGE ON TOP OF BAGGAGE. WOULDN’T THAT BE FUN TO BE AROUND ?!
JAKE
I KNOW YOU’RE GRIEVING DAD, BUT THINK IF YOU HAD A GIRL WHO WAS A TRUE GIANTS FAN - WOULDN’T THAT BE HEAVEN ?
DAD
NOT THAT MANY GIRLS REALLY LIKE BASEBALL. IT’S KIND OF A GUY’S GAME. THE GALS SAY IT IS TOO SLOW. BORING. THEY HATE IT WHEN PITCHERS CHANGE, OR THE MANAGER OR CATCHER GOES TO THE MOUND. IN FACT IT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY PROPOSED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE TO LIMIT PITCHING CHANGES TO END OF INNINGS - BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN’T PASSED. THERE ARE NO LIMITS 16
ON PLAYERS AND MANAGERS COMING TO THE MOUND HOWEVER WITH REPEATED VISITS, DELAYS WILL BE CALLED BY THE UMPS, AND BASES AWARDED.
JAKE
I CAN SEE MOST GALS WOULD GET FRUSTRATED WITH 2 OR 3 PITCHING CHANGES IN AN INNING.
DAD
WELL, MANY GIRLS WILL FAKE IT AND SAY THEY LIKE BASEBALL - AND THEN THAT WOULD BE A REAL FUN MARRIAGE. BUT I GUESS YOU WOULDN’T GET MARRIED BASED ON BASEBALL.
JAKE
YOU MIGHT BE A GUY WHO ACTUALLY DEMANDED HIS WIFE BE AN AVID GIANTS FAN IN THICK AND THIN. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THOSE AROUND - GIRLS WHO WOULD SIT UP AT NIGHT - EVERY NIGHT - AND TALK NONSTOP BASEBALL. GOOD LUCK DAD.
Destruction of the polo grounds
DAD
YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT ON THIS ONE, BUT I DON’T KNOW ABOUT GETTING MARRIED JAKE. IT’S JUST NOT THAT EASY. THE HARDEST THING A GUY HAS TO DO HIS ENTIRE LIFE IS TO ASK A GIRL TO MARRY HIM. NOTHING MORE DIFFICULT. AND I’M NEARLY TOTALLY TRASHED FROM IWO JIMA. WHO WOULD EVEN WANT ME ? SUSIE REYNOLDS.
JAKE DAD
WHAT ? WILLIE WAS MY BEST FRIEND. I COULDN’T GO NEAR HIS WIFE - AT LEAST NOT IN THAT WAY. THERE IS RESPECT AND..........
JAKE
DAD, WILLIE IS DEAD. HE IS IN HEAVEN. WILLIE WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD EVEN TALK TO HIS WIFE - YET YOU’VE IGNORED HER FOR WELL........... 6 YEARS.
DAD
THAT’S NOT FAIR. I ACTUALLY CALLED HER OUT OF RESPECT FOR WILLIE; AND GOT A COLD SHOULDER. SHE WASN’T INTERESTED IN ANYTHING. I WAS JUST TRYING TO BE SUPPORTIVE. WILLIE AND I LIVED OUR ENTIRE LIVES TOGETHER.
First pitch, Game 3
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JAKE
WELL DAD IT MAY BE DIFFICULT, BUT IT IS HIGH TIME FOR YOU TO GET THROUGH SOME OF THESE ISSUES PLAGUING YOU. HECK, EVEN I KNOW MOST GIRLS CAN BE MOODY. PERHAPS YOU CAUGHT HER ON A BAD DAY.
DAD
OK I’LL GET UP THE GUMPTION TO GIVE HER A CALL IF THE TALK-FOREVER-ROTHBERG’S EVER GET OFF OUR PARTY LINE. BUT PROMISE ME JAKE - LET’S QUIT TALKING ABOUT MY NEED FOR A WOMAN IN MY LIFE. I’M OK AND SO ARE YOU WITHOUT THIS. IF IT HAPPENS, OK - BUT LET IT GO.
JAKE
SORRY, I GUESS WE TALK ABOUT IT EVEN WHEN WE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT. I JUST WANT A REAL MOM - THAT’S ALL. Jackie robinson and dodger manager, charlie dressen
DAD
SOUNDS GOOD. LET NATURE, GOD, AND TIME PLAY OUT.
JAKE
AND IT IS HIGH TIME WE GET A PRIVATE LINE. THAT IS WHAT IS IN - IN NEW YORK CITY. I’M SO SICK OF THAT LITTLE ROTHBERG GIRL LISTENING TO ME WHEN I CALL MY FRIENDS NOW THAT YOU’VE REMINDED ME OF OUR PARTY PHONE LINE WITH YOUR UPCOMING CALL TO SUSIE. A PRIVATE LINE WON’T HAPPEN WITH NATURE OR TIME - BUT MAYBE WITH A GOD GIVEN MIRACLE.
DAD
BACK TO BASEBALL. THANK GOD FOR THE RAIN - AS THE GIANTS WERE RAINED OUT IN THE THIRD, BUT THE DODGER’S GAME WAS CALLED SHORT BECAUSE OF RAIN AND THEY LOST TO THE CUBS. REMEMBER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RULES ONLY REQUIRE 5 AND A HALF INNINGS FOR A HOME TEAM TO WIN - 6 FOR A ROAD TEAM IF THEY ARE AHEAD.
JAKE
I’M TIRED, AND I’M NOT CHARGING COUNSELING FEES. IS THE INFIELD FLY RULE WHEN A POP FLY IS MUFFED BY A FIELDER AND HE GOES FOR A DOUBLE PLAY - AND THE UMP ALLOWS ONLY ONE OUT ? NIGHT.
DAD
Gil hodges, Dodger first baseman
YES, CORRECT AT THE UMP’S DISCRETION. GOOD NIGHT. 7 OUT.
AUGUST 26, 1951 18
JAKE
WHAT A DAY FOR THE BIG APPLE ! 3 DOUBLEHEADERS IN NEW YORK CITY TODAY.
DAD
A HUGE DECISIVE DAY IN ALL OF BASEBALL. EVERYONE WILL HAVE TRANSISTOR RADIOS ON AND WATCHING THE SCOREBOARDS - AVIDLY WATCHING THE SCORE OF THE OTHER BASEBALL CONTESTS.
JAKE
WELL HARWELL JUST SAID THAT MAYS STOLE HOME - AND ON THE OTHER RADIO NETWORK VIN SCULLY AND RED BARBER WERE SAYING THAT WILLIE WAS AN AMAZING PLAYER - EVEN IF HE WAS A GIANT.
SOME OF THE GIANTS PLAYERS FROM THE GAME
DAD
UNBELIEVABLE - THE STREAK IS AT 14 WITH THESE 2 WINS V CHICAGO, LEO HASN’T CHANGED HIS CLOTHES YET, AND WE’RE APPROACHING THE 26 GAME WIN STREAK RECORD OF THOSE 1916 JOHN MCGRAW GIANTS.
JAKE
ALL THE PAPERS SAY “ THE LIP “ ISN’T TALKING UNTIL THE STREAK IS OVER - IF EVER. TWO WINS OVER THE CUBS WILL MAKE THINGS INTERESTING; BUT DAD THE GIANTS STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, AND THE BUMS REALLY NEED TO FOLD. THAT SIMPLE.
DAD
WELL I JUST HEARD THE DODGERS SPLIT AGAINST PITTSBURGH - WITH THE ARKANSAS CORNSTALK, PREACHER ROE, WINNING, AND NEWCOMBE LOSING. ROBBIE HIT A HOMER. THE PREACHER IS NOW 17 AND 2. THAT IS AN AMAZING RECORD. HE HAS KILLED THE GIANTS THIS YEAR.
JAKE
WELL THAT WILL GIVE RALPH BRANCA, THE BUMS SINGING PITCHER, SOMETHING TO HUM TO.
DAD
BUT WE STILL GAINED GROUND TODAY.
JAKE
I’LL GIVE YOU THAT. I’M TIRED AND ON MY WAY TO BED. NIGHT.
Bobby Thomson, author of the Shot
DAD
GOOD-NIGHT. 6 AND A HALF OUT.
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AUGUST 27, 1951 JAKE
WOW, DAD. TODAY AGAIN IS A BASEBALL FEAST - BIG TIME.
DAD
YES, THE COOGAN’S BLUFFS BOYS AGAIN BEAT UP ON THE CUBS - WINNING 2. THE BRAT STANKY WAS A BIG HERO.
JAKE
YES, THOSE NEW PORTABLE TRANSISTOR RADIOS WILL BE BLARING IN THE STANDS - MAINLY LISTENING TO OPPONENTS GAMES.
clint Hartung, NY Giants pitcher
DAD
AND THE BUMS SPLIT WITH PITTSBURGH. MORE GROUND GAINED ! NO RAINOUTS FOR THE GIANTS TODAY - SO WE WON’T HAVE ANOTHER HOMER OF BOBBY THOMSON’S OFF THE BOOKS.
JAKE
OH, YOU’RE REFERRING TO THE OTHER DAY WHEN THE UMP PLAYED PROPHET AND SENT BOTH TEAMS HOME BEFORE THE 6TH INNING RULE - AND THOMSON’S HOMER WAS A NULLITY.
DAD
YES, THE UMP HAS COMPLETE DISCRETION OVER THE DECISION TO CALL A GAME - HE IS A TRUE PROPHET OVER THE FUTURE WEATHER - REMEMBER 30 MINUTES AND A BAD WEATHER REPORT IS ALL IT TAKES TO CALL A GAME.
JAKE
AND CLYDE KING, THE RELIEVER, GOT A BIG CONTRACT FROM THE O’MALLEYS TODAY.
DAD
BUT THANK GOD FOR CLYDE MCCULLOUGH - DESCRIBED BY “ THE BROOKLYN EAGLE “ AS THE VILLAIN WHO WOULD KILL HIS MOTHER IN LAW AFTER KNOCKING IN 4 RUNS - WITH A DOUBLE AND HOMER AGAINST THE CUBS. The polo grounds in the 50’s
JAKE
BUT RAIN OR NO RAIN WE ARE ONE DAY CLOSER TO OUR KATIE GIRL GETTING HOME. HAVE YOU HEARD HOW SHE IS DOING IN THE CATSKILLS ?
DAD
OH, KATIE GIRL IS JUST SWIMMING, EATING, DANCING, SUNBATHING, READING, AND ENJOYING RELATIVES ESPECIALLY AUNT MARTHA. 20
JAKE
SOUNDS TOUGH, BUT I REALLY MISS HER - AND IT’S ONLY ABOUT A WEEK AND SHE’LL BE BACK HOME. AND FINALLY, WHAT ABOUT PLAYER INTERFERENCE DAD ? IS A RUNNER OUT IF HE INTERFERES WITH A THROW AND BECOMES SAFE IN SO DOING ?
DAD
ABSOLUTELY. NO INTENTIONAL USE OF THE RUNNER’S BODY IN ANY WAY TO CAUSE INTERFERENCE ALONG THE PATH OF A THROW AT THE DISCRETION OF THE UMP - AND LIKEWISE A FIELDER CANNOT IMPEDE A RUNNER IN HIS NATURAL PATH TO THE BASE OR THE RUNNER WILL BE CALLED SAFE. I’M ACTUALLY TIRED. GOOD-NIGHT. 6 0UT. NIGHT.
JAKE
A game underway in the polo grounds
AUGUST 28, 1951 DAD
NO MORE 3 STOOGES TV. AND FOR THAT MATTER YOU CAN HOLD OFF WATCHING POPEYE, TOM AND JERRY, AND........
JAKE
WAIT A SECOND, DAD. I DIDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE HEARING.
DAD
I’VE HEARD ENOUGH. FATHER MURPHY SAID YOU DIDN’T SHOW UP FOR MASS SERVING TODAY, AND YOU KNOW HOW WE’VE AGREED THAT SERVING IS VITAL.
JAKE
OK, I’M NOT ARGUING. NOT AT ALL. I UNDERSTAND - BUT I ACTUALLY GOT INTO A MAJOR ARGUMENT WITH ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS TODAY – THIS GUY SAID ANYONE WHO THINKS BROOKLYN WILL FOLD IS CRAZY - A DREAM - AS RED SMITH, OF THE HERALD TRIBUNE, STATED.
DAD
NO EXCUSES, WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. AND JUST BECAUSE THE GIANTS WINNING STREAK IS BROKEN DOESN’T THROW US OUT OF THE RACE. YOU SERVE MASS PERIOD.
the polo grounds as it was in 1904
JAKE
BUT DAD, THE STANKY BOBBLE LET THE BUCS WIN AGAINST THE GIANTS TODAY. THE STREAK IS OVER ! CAN THE COOGAN’S BLUFF BOYS START ANOTHER ONE ? 21
DAD
YES ANOTHER STREAK WILL BEGIN - BUT TODAY WAS A GREAT PERFORMANCE ON THE MOUND BY THE BUCS HOWIE PULLER - WHO WAS 4 - 14 I MIGHT ADD.
JAKE
WELL I’M GOING TO BED. THE BUMS BEAT CINCY. NOT LOOKING GOOD DAD. ANDY PAFCO, BROOKLYN’S LEFT FIELDER, SAID IT IS OVER FOR THE GIANTS. NOT ENOUGH TIME. GREAT MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY. NIGHT.
DAD
NIGHT. 7 OUT - BUT WE’RE STILL THERE.
AUGUST 29, 1951
HMMMM.... DAD.
JAKE DAD
OK, WHAT DO YOU WANT - ROCK AND ROLL RECORDS ?
JAKE
OH JUST A COUPLE - JOHNNY RAYS’S CRY AND BILL HALEY’S ROCKET OF 88 ON 33S.
DAD
WELL THE 45S ARE ON THE WAY SO I’D HOLD OFF ON BUYING THE 33S. BUT YOU SHOULD BE BUYING DINAH SHORE, NAT KING COLE, PERRY COMO, TOMMY DORSEY AND...
JAKE
COME ON DAD. THE NEW STUFF HAS A REAL BEAT. YOUR GENERATION WAS FAR TOO SLOW. THE NEW BEAT WILL OVERTAKE ALL THIS MELLOW SLOW STUFF. REMEMBER THE “BEAT GENERATION” DAD.
DAD
YES I KNOW TIMES ARE CHANGING. AND YOU’RE DEFINITELY THE “ BEAT “ OR “IN” GENERATION. I GIVE UP. WHERE WILL YOUR GENERATION TAKE US ?
JAKE
WELL, THE BEAT GENERATION WILL PROBABLY RID OURSELVES OF COMMUNISM - WHICH ACCORDING TO SENATOR MCCARTHY - YOUR WAR GENERATION HASN’T BEEN ABLE TO DO. 22
DAD
AND THEN I’LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE NEW SHOWINGS OF THE GREAT CARUSO AND SHOWBOAT - WITH A WAR WIDOW ! THAT’LL MAKE OUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPY I’M SURE.
JAKE
THAT IS REALLY ADULT UPTOWN STUFFY HOKEY FLUFFY MUSICAL MANHATTAN STUFF. BUT IF YOU DO GO, YOU DEFINITELY NEED SOMEONE TO GO WITH DAD - AND IT AIN’T ME. REMEMBER - WE’VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE. I’LL TAKE A BASEBALL GAME ANYTIME. AND IF THE WAR WIDOW REALLY LIKES YOU, SHE’LL FAKE LIKING BASEBALL AND GO THERE WITH YOU ANYWAY.
Alvin Dark, NY giants
DAD
OK, DID YOU SEE JIM HEARN WON TODAY FOR THE GIANTS ??
JAKE
WON’T WORK DAD - STILL 6 AND A HALF OUT.
DAD
TIRED AGAIN. GOOD-NIGHT - BUT ONLY 6 AND A HALF OUT NOT 13 JUST 3 WEEKS AGO.
JAKE
NOT A CHANCE DAD. SUPER FRIES TONIGHT. NIGHT. END – ACT II- SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD
END – ACT II – SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD
First pitch of fateful 3rd playoff game
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