- Hey, Bobby. - Hey, Nikki. The usual.
- Alrighty. - Hey, Bob.
You guys wanna play pool?
- What a waste of space. - What do you mean?
He hit a bad patch. We all hit bad patches, don't we?
- You never hit a bad patch? - No, this is my dream job.
- I'm gonna talk to him. - Please, man.
These guys come to relax. You bug them, they're gonna stop coming here.
I know him. I've talked to him on the phone.
Hey, Bob.
Can I talk to you for a second?
- Sure. You wanna talk to me? - Maybe we can go someplace.
- Let me finish the game. - Okay.
Primo, it's late, man. All right?
- Tell me what it is you want. - I want nothing.
You don't understand how things work here.
Because it's different from where you come from.
What's different?
Look, when a player like me comes into a team like this...
...hey, man, shit gets worked out.
Right? You don't... What is the problem with that?
What kind of uniforms do you have down there?
- Just uniforms. - Like these pussy pants you're wearing?
- What...? What colour? - Blue.
- What number is on the backof yours? - Eleven.
Primo, what is your price?
No price. You already had a chance, baby. Okay?
- What's your fucking price? - Go fuck yourself.
- Hey, don't walk away from me, man. - Fuck you.
Motherfucker. What?
- Break it up! - Get off of him.
- I want my fucking number, man. - Chill out.
What are we talking about Juan Primo for...
...when we've got Bobby Rayburn where we want him, up close and exclusive.
Are you ready for your next caller?
- Let's get another caller. - Bobby.
- You guys are getting a kickout of this. - What are you talking about?
I'm talking about my season is like a bad freeway accident.
And you guys, you're just slowing down to watch.
I thought I'd enjoy this, but the fact is, I feel for you.
I didn't know it'd be so rough.
Who we talking to? On the car phone, we are talking to Gil.
Hey, is that our old buddy Gil? Mr. Magical-Conjunction himself.
- Is this Jewel? - You're on the air. Go ahead.
{y:i}You're getting break-up {y:i}on the line here.
- I heard what you said about Primo. - What's your question for Bobby?
Is Bobby listening? Bobby? Hey, Bob?
Yeah, Gil, I'm here, man. How you doing?
I wanna tell you that I know exactly what you're going through...
...more than you'll ever understand. This number 11 thing is a fucking joke.
You're the greatest player this city's ever had...
...and you got some hot-dogger like Primo...
...giving you a hard time about your number.
There's a reason you're paid 40 million.
The owners aren't doing what they should be.
They should be protecting their investment.
{y:i}Pay him. Give him what he wants.
If he wants a million, give it to him.
If he doesn't want it and doesn't want to give up his number, fuck him.
Get him out. What's the difference? Just get you hitting again.
- Lf that's what it's gonna take. - They say fans don't know...
...what they're talking about. The public and the owners should listen to you.
Bobby, why isn't this guy on your payroll?
Thanks, Gil. Maybe I should have you try and talk some sense into Primo.
{y:i}God knows I need {y:i}all the help I can get.
{y:i}They say fans don't know {y:i}what they're talking about.
{y:i}The public and the owners {y:i}should listen to you.
{y:i}Bobby, why isn't this guy {y:i}on your payroll?
{y:i}Maybe I should have you try {y:i}and talk some sense into Primo.
{y:i}The owners should listen to you. Bobby, {y:i}why isn't this guy on your payroll?
{y:i}Maybe I should have you try {y:i}and talk some sense into Primo.
{y:i}God knows I need all the help {y:i}I can get.
Primo. Primo, lots of luck.
Primo.
Mr. Primo?
- Yeah? - Can I just say...?
Did you ever think how one man who's doing well...
...might throw off the rest of the team?
I'm saying, you have to thinkof what's best for the team, right?
You might have to lay down a sacrifice.
I'm talking about Bobby Rayburn's number.
I don't know if you understand how much he needs that number.
- Number 11. - I am number 11.
I know, but he needs it more than you.
Are you with the press?
You with the hotel?
Then get out of here.
Go.
Get the fuckout of here.
{y:i}It's a sad night here at the Stick {y:i}as the Giants tak e the field...
{y:i}... for the first time since the murder {y:i}of hitting sensation Juan Primo.
Rayburn will take his place in the lineup batting cleanup.
{y:i}There's bound to be questions {y:i}about that, Jewel.
Now we all get to wear the number, man.
Come on, let's play ball!
{y:i}Now batting fourth, number 33, {y:i}Bobby Rayburn.
Bobby! Come on, Bobby!
Fuck you.
Come on, Bob!
That's it.
Come on, Bob!
Attaway. You're back to your old self.
Fuck you.
This is the last place I'll look. Then I'll quit.
Yeah, no, I've had it. I'm tired. I mean, he's not here.
There he is. I found my man. I'll talk to you later.
Is this how you celebrate going four for four, huh?
What happened to pouring champagne over your head...
...and banging some groupies, huh?
Bobby. Bobby, talk to me.
If the cops worry you, they're not interested in you.
It's just an ongoing investigation. Let it go.
I didn't ask for this, man.
You talking about Primo? Come on, I know that's shit.
I thought about it a lot, but I didn't ask for this.
You know, Bobsy...
...I wish five people dead on my drive to work.
Five people. But wishing it doesn't make it so.
You're not God, lifetime average withstanding.
Yeah? Well...
...why do I feel so bad then, huh?
I don't know.
I don't...
This is gonna blow the hell out of my shithead theory...
...but I think you feel guilty.
Jesus-hairy-Christ.
I've been wrong about you.
You're not a shithead at all. I'm flabbergasted.
Come on, let's go, man. I got a game tomorrow.
{y:i}Number 33, Bobby Rayburn.
Go, Bobby! Bobby!
Safe.
{y:i}Bobby Rayburn.
{y:i}You're coming off {y:i}the worst slump in your career.
{y:i}All of a sudden, you're hitting well over {y:i}.400, 11 home runs, 30 RBIs last month.
{y:i}How do you explain this?
{y:i}I wish I knew.
That's it? You wish you knew?
A "thank you" would've been nice.
Sean!
Be careful!
Don't go too far!
Sean, don't go too far, darling.
Bradley!
Bradley, come here!
Bradley, come back.
Go back, Bradley. Go back.
Sean!
Mr. Rayburn!
Shit.
Mr. Rayburn!
Sean!
- Thank God for Mark Spitz over here. - Jeez.
Okay. Just relax. Go on. That's right, blow it out.
It's gonna be all right.
Are you all right, man?
- Just relax. - He swallowed some water.
Jesus. You scared me half to death.
Where did you come from?
I was just walking on the beach, I saw him in the water, and I went in.
Thank God, man. You all right?
Sean, you gotta promise me, no matter what...
...not a word to your mother, understand?
Next time you're looking for attention, be more dramatic.
- Let's get some dry clothes. - Play in traffic like the other kids.
- That little bonehead. - Oh, shit.
- What did you say your name was? - My friends call me Curly.
Curly. Well, come on, Curly, let's go inside.
Elvira will get you some dry clothes, all right?
Thank you.
- What do I say? - Well, you know, I was just there.
You would've done the same thing.
If I lose this guy, man, I don't know what I would do.
Looks good on you.
I don't know about them pants, though.
They're yours.
- Can I get you anything? - A beer.
Yeah, all right. I could swear... Have I seen you before?
I get that all the time. I got one of those faces, I guess.
You like baseball?
I'm not obsessed with it or anything. Are you a player?
Yeah.
- You are? - Yeah.
Barry Bonds?
No. No. I'm Bobby Rayburn.
- Right. - Yeah.
- I was just kidding you. - It's okay.
At least you're not one of them die- hard baseball fans who...
Why is that?
Because those guys are losers.
Aren't the fans what it's all about?
Shit. Tell you something, man.
The fans are like women. When you're hitting, they love you.
And when you're not, they'd as soon spit on you as look at you.
Why is that?
Because they don't understand that you're the same person hitting or not.
You know?
Only person you should play for is yourself.
Hey, you wanna shoot some pool?
Yeah, sure.
- All right. Bring the beer. - Sure.
Curly, Curly"..."
Curly Otis?
- Yeah, that's my old man. - No shit.
I was in bigs for a cup of coffee myself until my arm went south.
Man, tough break.
It's like my old catcher Coop used to say:
"Enjoy it while you got it, then move on."
Yeah.
That's a good philosophy, brother. Good philosophy.
- Are all those hats yours? - Yep, my pride and joy.
- Could I try one on? - Yeah, sure. Sure.
Fits.
Looks good on you.
Hey, Bobby...
...did you mean it? You'd do something for me?
Yeah, sure. I mean, within reason, you know.
Don't be getting no ideas.
- Let me pitch to you. - What?
Let me show you what I got. I got a couple innings left in me.
Come on, Bobby, let me show you what I got.
Bradley's gonna catch for us.
Must feel good to be hitting again, huh?
Brother, you have no idea.
- How did you get out of that slump? - Say what?
Got any idea what got you out of that slump?
You know, Curly...
...I just stopped caring, man.
- What? - I just stopped caring.
You stopped caring?
What do you mean?
All my life I've been working to be the best.
You know? Trying to be a perfectionist.
And I thought about it. That's probably where I made my mistake.
And when Juan Primo died, man, that completely changed the perspective.
I mean"..."
I mean, come on, let's be real here.
What are we doing? We're not curing cancer, you know?
We're playing a game.
That's all it is. It's just a game.
So I stopped caring and relaxed...
...and I started hitting.
Stopped caring.
So that's your fucking insight into life?
Just stop caring.
- You're pretty loose now, aren't you? - Yeah.
All I'm saying is that there's more to life than just baseball.
Like what? Like your house?
Like your bigass car? Like your 40-fucking-million?
I mean, what the fuck do you care about?
I care about my son. That's what I care about.
I'm sorry. I just hate that attitude, you stopped caring. I'm sorry.
What, do you have a better theory?
Yeah.
You got your number back.
Curly, my number didn't have anything to do with it.
It looks good on you.
Thanks.
- That's great. - I still haven't given you my best pitch.
- Sure you have. - No.
Okay.
Look, Curly, I really want to thank you for what you did for my son.
You know, what do you say? Let's call it a night?
All right.
Come on, admit it. We're alone.
Admit what?
Admit you're hitting because Primo's not around.
That's a bunch of bullshit. Come on.
It doesn't hurt he's not around.
Come on, level with me.
Level with me.
Come on, I saved your kid. You wanna pay me back?
Be honest with me and tell me you're a little happy that he's dead.
- Hey. - No, no. I'm not happy that he's dead.
Come on.
Curly. Curly, I already told you no.
No, I am not happy that he's dead. Okay?
Okay? Can I have my hand back now?
Thanks.
I'm really tired. Really. I'm going to sleep. Take care.
Simple "thank you" would have been nic"e..."
...for a teammate who lays down a sacrifice.
Hey, look, you need a ride or anything?
I got my own wheels. Thanks, Bob.
Good. Bradley, let's go.
If you need anything, just call me, all right?
And I'll get back to you. Okay, bye.
Take care. Come on, Bradley.
Hey, Bob?
Bobby. What about the glove, Bob?
Keep it!
I remember when Mick recorded this. December '77.
We drove home at dawn.
Who's Mick?
A great friend of mine.
- Where we going? - We're going fishing.
- Why can't my dad come? - Your dad could come.
But he has a big game tomorrow, and we gotta pick up Coop.
Why are we fishing at night?
Night fishing is best. No boats to scare the fish away.
We'll sucker them in with a flashlight, cut them up with this.
Go ahead, take it. It's yours.
- You sure? - Yeah, it's yours. Take it.
- Well, thanks. - Just don't cut yourself.
- Hello. - Hey, Curly.
Hey, Bobby. Hey.
Say hello to your father. He's on the phone.
Hi, Dad. We're going fishing.
That's great. That's great, Sean.
Listen, Curly, could you pick up the handset so we could talk?
Sure thing, slugger.
- Yeah. - Curly, is it raining where you are?
- No, I'm far from the beach. - Didn't know you'd take the car.
- I thought the kid, he'd like to get away. {y:i}- Listen, Curly...
...before you do anything stupid, I don't think this is a good idea.
You don't think. You're a lucky idiot.
I'm not fucking with you.
- All right. - Don't get angry at me, Bob.
- Curly? - Bob?
I just want my son back.
- Bob? - What?
- Bobby. - What?!
Listen to you. You're hanging on every word I say. This is really something.
Curly, what do you want? What do you want from me?
Don't talk back. You show me some respect.
Without people like me, you're nothing.
We're the ones that get you your 40 million.
- Look, what do you want? - What do I want?
I want when they thinkof you, they thinkof me.
Curly, I don't know what the fuck I did to you to piss you off...
...but my son has nothing to do with this.
Oh, Bobby, it's not what you did to me, it's what I did for you, number 11.
- You owe me. - I owe you what?
Check your freezer.
I'll hang on.
- There's a surprise. - What the f...? Curly.
- Go ahead, check your freezer. - All right, I'll check the freezer.
Curly, don't hang up this phone.
You hear me?
Oh, my God!
He finally figures it out, ladies and gentlemen.
It's really true what they say about sluggers.
They are really, really stupid.
Well, I'm a pitcher, Bobby. Pitchers use their brains.
Come on, Bradley.
We'll play a joke on him, so you just play along.
- All right. - Okay?
Hey, Coop.
Gil.
- Gil Renard. - Yeah.
Gil Renard.
Yeah, long time no see, Gil.
- This is my son. - Hi.
Come on in, fellas.
Go ahead.
Man, that is a kick-ass car. You done good for yourself.
You never see nothing like that in the Bronx.
I always thought you'd be managing by now.
- Managing? - Yeah, in the majors.
Nobody calls me Coop anymore, you sick son of a bitch.
How'd you find me anyway?
I looked you up.
Whose kid is that, really?
- You really want to know? - Yeah.
- Bobby Rayburn's. - Jesus fuck.
Same old fucking Gil. Come on.
Really?
He'll be on in a minute.
You'll recognize his voice.
All right, incoming call. Notify incoming call. Turn off all radios.
Okay, this is it.
Bob.
- Yeah. - Hey, Bobby, you still up?
- Bad time to be calling, huh? - I'm up.
Hey, I hope I'm not calling at a bad time. Probably got some people over, huh?
I can't hear you. You'll have to turn the music down.
Oh, I'm sorry, slugger.
Curly, I want to talk to Sean.
Sean, he's asleep now, but he's doing fine. Don't worry about him. He's fine.
- Curly, what do you want? - "I've been thinking it over."
You know, in life, life just...
...comes down to one single action.
What do you want?
I want you to hit a home run for me, Bob.
Are you serious?
{y:i}Remember that kid in chemo...
...whose life was unfair to him?
That's how I'm feeling. My life has been unfair to me.
{y:i}The only difference is, I'll be able to see {y:i}you hit that home run tomorrow.
{y:i}And I got a photo here.
I'm gonna get it to you. And I want you to put it on the Jumbotron, okay?
- Yeah. - Then I want you to stand up and tell...
...the 50 million viewers...
...that this home run is dedicated to Gil, a true fan.
- What do you think? - I can't believe you're serious.
I'm serious as a heart attack, Bobby.
That's pretty serious, isn't it?
There comes a time in everybody's life when you have to stand for something.
Otherwise, you're just passing on through.
So, Bobby, I'm watching you.
If that pitcher goes easy on you, I'll kill your fucking kid.
Surprise, surprise.
Hey, Bobby.
I'm still here.
Now do you care?
You get in some serious shit for that.
Cops are gonna be all over us.
Boy, all of a sudden, you lost your sense of humour.
- Did you get it? - Couldn't get him.
He's calling from Rayburn's car. We should be able to nail him to the district.
You're not gonna believe this kid. Just like old times, huh, Coop?
- You know, that's not my real dad. - It's okay, kid.
Come on, I'm waiting.
I'm waiting. The signals.
What happened? Did you forget everything? Come on, Coop.
Hang in there, kid.
Bring the bat up, slugger.
Come on, look like a hitter. Bring it up.
Bring it up. Come on.
Come on! Come on, slugger, bring the fucking bat up.
Come on.
That's my boy.
It's all right, kid, hang in there, now. Hang in there.
Coop, you dickhead!
Come on, kid. Come on.
Go. Go. Up the fence. Come on.
Come on, push. Push. Go.
Go. Go on. Go, kid, go.
Coop, what are you doing?
Why did you do that? We could've been teammates.
We were teammates. We could've made it to the bigs.
It was Little League. We were 12 years old.
Come on.
That's my boy.
{y:i}Ladies and gentlemen, {y:i}leading off the second inning...
{y:i}... Giants centre fielder, number 33, {y:i}Bobby Rayburn.
{y:i}Well, the forecast is for rain tonight.
There's a mist falling as Rayburn steps towards the box.
He's been more aggressive the last month of the season.
Who do we have on line two?
- Just a fan. - Hey, Mr. Fan, how you doing?
Wanna say you're lucky to be in the stadium tonight.
Really? Why's that?
- Is that a Giants watch I hear playing? - Yes, it is.
- Is that my buddy Gil? - Maybe.
This'll be one of the most amazing nights in the game's history.
- "It'll be incredible." - Really? Why's that, Gil?
I'm telling you, the Kirk Gibson homer...
...Ripken breaking Gehrig's record, peanuts compared to tonight.
{y:i}You're talking about classic moments {y:i}in baseball history.
What's happening tonight that could top those?
Let's just say Bobby Rayburn's...
- "... in for the night of his life." - Why, Gil?
Well, some people are ungrateful. They should be taught a lesson.
Strike!
Are you calling from inside the stadium?
- Wouldn't you like to know? - "Well..."
You got good seats? Are you behind first base? Can you see me?
Can I see you?
{y:i}Yeah, you're waving right at me. {y:i}Have a nice night.
Gil, wait. Before you hang up, I wanted to ask you a question.
- Trying to trace the call, Jewel? - What? What was that, Gil?
You'll never find me.
- Strike! - Have a nice night.
Gil. Fuck!
Come on, man, go get him!
Play!
Yes!
Shit.
{y:i}Now batting, number 10, Brad Tjader.
- Did you feel that raindrop? - What?
I felt rain.
- The guy's not gonna be crazy enough... - He's here! The guy's here.
- He could've been near a radio. - He's in the stadium.
Look at that. That is one fine piece of craftsmanship.
- What? - The knife.
It's a first edition. See how it says "prototype?
That means it's a collector's piece.
"Renard & Garrity." It's a local firm, isn't it? Gilbert Renard?
What are you waiting for, a clue, an invite?
This guy is gonna kill Bobby's kid if you don't find him in nine innings.
{y:i}Ladies and gentlemen, leading off {y:i}the bottom of the eighth...
{y:i}... number 33, Bobby Rayburn.
Bobby's as safe as Kennedy was in Dallas. What are you looking for?
Play!
Ball one.
- What, are you walking me? - Consider it a compliment, dickhead.
Fuck! Do you know what you're doing to me?!
- They're giving him first base. - Throw the pitch!
Fuck!
{y:i}Fuck.
Oh, man, the ump's gonna call the game. Oh, my... Fuck.
Oh, God, please don't do this. I'm begging you.
Don't... Throw the pitch.
For God's sake, listen to me! Throw the pitch!
Throw the fucking pitch!
- Do you know what you're doing to me? - "The umpire has decided..."
{y:i}... to send both teams {y:i}into the dugouts.
It looks like we've got a rain delay.
{y:i}Ladies and gentlemen, the umpire {y:i}has called for a rain delay...
{y:i}... with the Padres {y:i}leading the Giants 2 to 1.
Do you and your dad have a special place he and you like to go?
Stadium in the Sky's our Little League park.
{y:i}My dad used to play there {y:i}when he was a kid.
Is my daddy in trouble?
{y:i}Ladies and gentlemen...
{y:i}... we resume play with the Giants {y:i}batting in the bottom of the eighth.
{y:i}Proceed to Little League park {y:i}Stadium in the Sky, 24th and Sanchez.
We pick it up in the eighth inning...
...on what might be Rayburn's last at-bat.
They'll play on this wet field.
The cold night air is getting to everybody. Look at Rayburn.
He's going to the mound to have a chat with Martinez.
- Oh, shit. - I don't give a fuck what he tells you.
Throw the ball over the plate, or I'll break your head in.
- Fuck you. - You hear me?
{y:i}This may go back to when Martinez {y:i}pitched for Pittsburgh.
{y:i}He drilled Rayburn in his back {y:i}with a fastball.
{y:i}We are seeing it all tonight, Rick.
- Let's go, gentlemen. - First pitch is at your head, buddy.
Come on, man, do this! Do this!
{y:i}A critical at-bat for Rayburn, {y:i}the $40 million San Francisco Giant.
{y:i}Probably his last chance {y:i}to get the Giants even.
{y:i}Here in the bottom of the eighth, {y:i}the Giants trail 2 to 1.
- "Swung on. Strik e one." - Strike!
All right, come on! Come on, Bobby!
{y:i}Swung on and missed. Strik e two. {y:i}Rayburn in the hole.
{y:i}One strik e left {y:i}for Bobby Rayburn tonight.
Jesus Christ, man.
{y:i}Air Seven copy. Proceeding {y:i}to Stadium in the Sky. Over.
- Man. - They're gonna call the game.
They're gonna call this fucking game.
{y:i}Two and two. Two balls, two strik es.
{y:i}And Rayburn down to his last strik e.
{y:i}Bobby knows he's had {y:i}two pitches to drive there.
Now at 2-2, you're not gonna get another good pitch to hit.
{y:i}Maybe, since it's damp, he's having {y:i}trouble holding the ball.
This game could be called at any second.
Play ball!
{y:i}San Diego protecting {y:i}its one-run lead.
{y:i}Martinez readies, steadies {y:i}and delivers to...
{y:i}Rayburn drives it deep {y:i}to right centre field!
- Yes! - Yes! Go!
- Run! - Home run!
It's off the wall. Rayburn could get three if he hustles.
{y:i}Robinson having trouble {y:i}just getting to the ball.
{y:i}Rayburn, rounding second, {y:i}headed for third.
{y:i}He ran through the stop sign. It could {y:i}be an inside-the-park home run!
{y:i}The relay from Park er! {y:i}Rayburn slides, headfirst!
{y:i}And he is...
{y:i}... in there!
Yes!
You're out!
What is that?
Bad fucking call, man!
- You're out! Sit down! - No, no, no.
I beat it by a fucking mile!
You're out. You're questioning my call? Sit down! You're out! Sit down!
You're the fucking guy! He's the fucking guy!
It's the umpire!
What the fuck is that?
This way! Break it open!
- Shit. - What the hell's going on?
Okay, okay. I just want my kid back.
Batter up, Bobby. I waited a long time for this.
No, no, no, wait. No. Okay, look.
- Where's Sean? - Where do you think he is?
Come on, where is my son?
Where's...? Bobby, where's my home run?
What?! Curly. Curly. Where's my son?!
Where is he? I don't know.
I guess he's in that big stadium in the sky.
I'm telling you, Curly, if you hurt my fucking kid...
...I swear to God I'll kill you! - Bobby. Bobby. Be nice, Bob.
What do you want from me?
I don't want anything. I just want you to...
- I never showed you my best pitch. - Curly!
Curly!
Freeze!
No, no, don't shoot! He's got my son.
Now do you care?
Bobby, now do you care?
Just a little bit?
Curly, don't!
Curly, where's my son?
Where's Sean, Curly? Where's my son?
A simple "thank you" would have been nice.
Where's my son?
Curly, where's my son?!
There she is, site of the old stadium.
Sean!
- Are you all right? - Yeah.
- I love you, Sean. - I love you, Dad.
I got him!
{y:i}What you are seeing here {y:i}is a sad turn of events indeed.
{y:i}Gil Renard, an unemployed {y:i}knife salesman...
{y:i}... was shot to death by the police {y:i}during tonight's game.
{y:i}Here's how it happened. {y:i}Bobby Rayburn...