Get your heads in the game!
You're gonna let him kill the kid?
Check out Sugar.
He put on 20 pounds, and now he's going for 20 more.
All muscle, dude. Rock solid.
Right... solid bones!
Eat slowly, kid. lt's not going anywhere!
lf you hustled as hard as him, you'd be hungry too.
Sugar, show him your curve.
Give him the ball.
Throw it!
-Have a good weekend. -You too.
Sugar! Give me a ball!
Hey, what's up?
-l got one! -l got one!
-Hi, Sis. -Hello.
-Any news about the States? -ls that all you want to hear about?
Hi, Grandma. Looking beautiful today.
What's up? How's the TV?
Erica won't let me watch baseball.
Not during American IdoI.
Hello, Miguel. Do you have any good news for your mother?
Yes...
You're going to the States?
Not yet, Mom.
But l learned how to throw a spike curve.
A spike curve...
What's that?
l'm still working out the mechanics!
When are you going to finish this?
Soon. lt's just hard to find the time.
lt's pretty.
l'm trying to match the chairs my dad made, but l can't get it right.
l think it's perfect.
When l'm done, l'll make you one just like it.
And the rest of the house? When will it be done?
A month, maybe two...
Do you know we just did it where my mom's kitchen is gonna be?
Don't tell me that!
Why not? Next time we can do it in Grandma's bedroom.
Or we could do it on the roof?
l hope you make it to the States.
You hope? Baby, there's nobody better than me.
Okay, then...
how about...
l know you'll make it.
Now we're talking.
And the first thing l'm going to do when l get there...
l'm going to buy a Cadillac.
And l'll drive it through the ocean and bring you back with me.
You can't drive a Cadillac on water.
Sure you can. ln the U.S. they build all kinds of cars.
Ones that drive on water.
You're crazy.
l can take you to New York.
There's snow there in Yankee Stadium.
Want to see me play in Yankee Stadium?
lt doesn't snow during the baseball season, silly.
So we'll go for Christmas.
Promise?
Sure. Next Christmas...
we'll cross the sea in my Cadillac car-boat. Done.
You really are crazy.
She was hot. But l liked my hair too much.
l liked it too, Javi.
lf you liked your hair so much, why did you cut it?
l wanted a different look.
Or a different girl.
Hey, stop playing...
This arm is worth a million dollars.
He's right! That arm's worth money.
May God bless the golden arm!
You call that flabby rubber band an arm?
Oh, Miguel!
Dude, this arm throws a 95. What does yours throw?
Well, l threw 98 in Double-A in Portland.
-98? -That's right.
Then why are you at the streetlights...
selling cell phone chargers?
And the one you sold me doesn't even work.
Many of you are thinking about your famiIies.
Your girIfriends.
Your sibIings.
Your grandparents.
I know a Iot of you are feeIing the pressure.
But Im going to teII you something `very important.
Forget about it aII.
The onIy thing you`ve got to think about is yourseI`ves.
Put aII your energy into your game...
into your de`veIopment as a baIIpIayer.
Forget about e`verything eIse.
And just play.
You want to succeed?
You've got to be like a racehorse, focused on your final goal.
Because everything...
absolutely everything depends on you.
Berroa. When you finish, go to Alvarez's office.
Hey, Sugar, they made me an offer.
Congratulations. What did they offer you?
A hundred fifteen.
But my agent takes like forty of it.
How much did you sign for?
Oh, you know. About the same.
Did you get any other offers?
The Yankees and Seattle, but not as much.
Well, just don't get cocky. Nobody likes a dickhead on the team.
Welcome to the team.
So, why do they call you Sugar?
Well, l'm sweet with the ladies.
But mostly l've got the sweetest knuckle curve there is.
Bullshit! You just learned that the other day.
They call him Sugar because he eats so much dessert!
He's just jealous.
Dude, we got you a little going away present.
You should go to the Dodgers.
l heard they're looking for first basemen.
To hell with that shit.
The coaches are even tougher over there.
No more curfews.
No more trainers telling me what to do and how to do it.
l feel good like this, man.
Forget about it.
''No hats inside the building, son!''
''Cut your meat with the knife, but eat it with the fork!''
''Never put the meat in your mouth with the knife!''
''Or you'll chop off your tongue!''
''Ten o'clock! Lights out!''
Have fun last night?
Feel better now?
Here we go, here we go!
Okay, Sugar, let's do this!
Hey, wipe that smile off your face.
Salvador, warm up. You're pitching the next inning.
Let's go.
Just when l was starting to like you.
You go and do something stupid.
What have you got to say for yourselves?
Alfonso was with us too.
Don't give me excuses.
Your behavior is unacceptable.
You need to understand. You've still got a long way to go.
First, you've got to make it to the minor leagues.
Rookie ball. Single-A, Double-A...
Triple-A.
All that before you even set foot in the majors.
So you had better watch what you do.
Because nobody's going to take this shit...
from a pair of Dominican rookies...
when you get to the U.S.
You've been invited to spring training.
Congratulations.
You've got a call. He says it's important.
This was your father's. l want you to take it with you.
God has given you a marvelous gift.
And God willing, you'll do great things with it.
Miguelito! Don't ever forget your Uncle Angel.
Lupe! Your cousin Lupe!
l'm Omayra.
Your cousin. Lupe.
Lola! Your Aunt Lola!
Remember we went skinny-dipping at the Malecón...
When?
You were like eight and terrified of goats.
My nephew.
Your neighbor Ana.
You cried and cried... You were such a baby, man.
What's your name again?
l'm Omayra. Your cousin.
Your Uncle Jefe!
Uncle Angel.
l grew up around here.
Don't give me any shit. l taught you everything you know, hear?
Hey, Frank, what's up?
l'm proud of you, kid. Your father would be, too.
Thanks. l owe it all to you.
Not all of it.
Just forty percent.
l spent the best years of my life playing in the U.S.
Remember... Life gives you lots of opportunities.
Baseball only gives you one.
When it comes, take advantage of it as much as you can. Enjoy it.
How's the new curve?
lt's sweet.
Here.
What's this for?
For your autograph.
l'm kidding, you arrogant prick.
That's so you'll write to your family.
And to me, too, if you feel like it.
So where's that boyfriend of yours?
Which one?
That ugly kid you've got.
Fernando!
He's out there dancing with Sofia.
With who?
With Sofia.
You know, Sis... l'm very proud of you.
l know you're going to do great things, too.
We all know it.
l'm going to miss you.
Come on. Let's go dance.
No, you go. l'll come later.
And tell Fernando to watch it with my girl...
unless he wants problems with me, okay?
Check this out.
Did you look in the fridge?
To the States.
To the States. We've arrived!
To the States!
What's up, Jorge!
Never, never, never drink from the hotel minibar.
That stuff is really expensive.
You want beer? Buy it at the store.
You want to see titties?
There are magazines for that.
Don't use the pay-per-view in the hotel.
Brad Johnson.
Just out of college. They signed him for a million dollars.
There's a lot of guys like that. Don't let it intimidate you.
Everyone knows Dominicans rule the game.
What's this about Dominicans ruling the game?
l think he was talking about the Venezuelans.
Are these your brothers?
Are you telling me all Dominicans look the same?
Exactly.
Miguel and Marcos. Up from Boca Chica.
Ed and Orlando.
l left these fools behind when l moved up to Double-A.
-But you couldn't hang in Wichita. -l hurt my knee, asshole.
But l'm healthy now. You'll see.
Fifty bucks you're back in lowa next month.
Fifty bucks that next month...
you're still an asshole.
Today I pitched to Gus Leonard.
You strike him out?
Yes...
Liar.
-You don't believe me? -No.
OK, but... l got one strike at least.
So, do you like it there?
Its different.
The food here is really sweet.
But l thought you liked sweet things.
All the players are really good.
But not Iike you.
No, of course not.
But they're pretty good.
l miss you.
l miss you, too.
That's it right there!
Let's go! One more!
They're sending Antonio back.
And you guys?
We're staying here. Rookie ball.
Go take a look at the list.
We're not together?
Straight to Single-A with Jorge.
Congratulations.
Where's l-A?
''Soup.''
The bathroom.
E`veryone is so proud, MigueIito. Its aII we taIk about.
Did you get the money?
Of course.
And Victor, can he start construction of the house again?
III be sending money e`very two weeks now.
We just paid him. He's coming next week.
Did you get something for yourself like l said?
Me? What do I need?
-Don't say that, Mom... -Why?
You didn't get anything?
Well, maybe a pair of shoes, but l am not telling.
Good for you, Mom.
l have to go, Mom. The lady's calling me.
Smells like dinner.
Don't forget who your real mother is.
Are you going to prefer her cooking to mine now?
ImpossibIe, Mom.
We love you. We miss you. Strike one out for me, okay?
l love you. Bye.
C'mon, let's find you a suit.
l can't afford a suit.
l didn't say buy a suit. l said find a suit.
So when you make it to the big leagues, you'll know what looks good.
Like it?
Hot damn! That's what's up, bro!
lt's cool?
Man, you look like an all-star.
What about you? You try one.
Me? Nah... l'm all washed up.
C'mon, man. Don't say that.
Dude, you have no idea. Just wait till we go to Big Muddy's.
Big Muddy's?
You have to be 21 to drink there.
This is my old license. They won't know the difference.
Are you crazy?
Who's going to believe l'm this ugly fool?
You wish you were this good-looking.
Believe me. They won't know the difference.
Relax, take it easy!
Relax, Sugar.
lt's the same game we played back home.
That's all it is. So relax. Let's have some fun, okay?
See? Just like home.
Good game, Sugar.
But that wasn't my fault. l can go longer.
Take it easy. lt's your first game.
You think they know how to salsa?
Go for it.
But remember...
just because they dance with you doesn't mean they want anything else.
Not from you, anyway.
What's up?!
Hey, Slim!
C'mon, let's go for it.
Let's do it.
Who is your...favorite player?
When did you realize you were going to be a good pitcher?
l knew since l was very young l would be a good pitcher.
Ten, eleven years old, around then.
Thanks to God, l've had the opportunity to develop my talents.
No, it's not good.
Because l haven't been playing well.
Well, l'm working hard, but...
l don't know. They might.
Listen, let's talk about this later.
Yeah, so... Tell me about...
What happened?
lt's over.
Why?
You know the drill.
l'm not playing well, so they'll bring up someone who is.
But your knee... You're recovering. You just need more time.
Sugar...
When do you leave?
They want me to fly back tonight.
Tonight?
But l'm not going back.
l've got a cousin in New York.
You're going to New York?
Where else?
There's no work back home.
And my bonus won't last forever.
Relax, Sugar.
l'll see you there at Yankee Stadium some day.
When the Knights come to town.
l'll be in the front row, getting drunk.
Cheering like a maniac.
Not for you, though.
Yankee fans are crazy.
You worry too much, Sugar.
l'll be okay.
lt's just a game, right?
Howd you pIay today?
Good, good.
I bet you ha`ve Iots of groupies
waiting for you after your games.
I ha`ve a few.
-A few? -Just kidding.
l mean, l would, but...
None of these white girls speak Spanish.
Marcos plays in Arizona. Lots of Mexicans.
Everyone speaks Spanish.
He has Iike fifteen girIfriends.
-Shut up! -He's probably lying.
I bet hes Iying.
Jorge went to New York.
To the Yankees?
No. Our team cut him loose.
He's got a cousin there. l don't know what he's going to do.
He got injured pIaying for them.
They owe him something. Another chance.
He's worked too hard.
l mean...
He's not a horse.
But dont Iet it get to you.
Just keep pIaying weII and things wiII be okay.
We waIked around the Superdome and we started to sing...
This LittIe Light of Mine.
And it was powerfuI, because it was a sad time.
You didnt know what was going to happen.
But you had faith in God.
And we marched around the Dome...
and peopIe were coming from inside.
Yo, Sugar!
Holy shit! How'd you get here?
On an airplane, dummy.
What did he say?
Don't worry about it. Man, it's good to see you.
Good to see you, too. But l'm a little nervous.
lt's the same game we played back home.
Same rules, different place.
Just have fun, it's only a game.
Just do me a favor.
Don't give it away to the first white girl you meet.
l don't understand. You speak too fast.
l don't understand you.
Did you hear l made player of the week?
You told me last night.
Slow it down.
Just throw me strikes.
These guys can't touch you, okay?
Let's go. Throw strikes.
What's up, Sugar?
l forgot something in the clubhouse. l'll be right back.
Here, l'll load your bag.
Where's he going?
The bathroom.
Talk to me.
ls Jorge working today?
Jorge?
Jorge Ramirez.
Jorge, the baseball player.
Oh, the baseball player. He left about two weeks ago.
l think he drives a car now.
Do you have his number? His old number isn't working.
No, sorry.
But l think he was staying with some people...
up in Concourse Village. Around 156th Street.
Sometimes he still comes by to eat.
Are you the owner here?
Yes. How can l help you?
l like your work.
Thanks.
What are you looking for?
Oh, no. l mean... l don't know. l was passing by...
And l thought you might need help.
l know how to make furniture and...
No, l don't need anyone. l'm not looking now.
-Thanks for your time. -No problem.
Carpenter and assistant.
3 years experience and dri`vers Iicense necessary.
Whats going on?
Frank caIIed Iast night. Where are you?
l'm in New York.
Oh, my God. What are you doing in New York?
I dont understand. Your teams Iooking for you.
l can't play anymore.
Are you hurt? What do you mean you cant pIay?
No, l'm fine. lt's just...
We`ve been working for this your whoIe Iife, MigueIito.
My God! When youre so cIose.
Don't worry, Mom.
l have some money. Everything will be all right.
You ha`ve to go back. Listen to me, my sweet Sugar.
CaII Frank. TheyII take you back.
l can't go back.
Did I raise you Iike this?
Did I raise you to gi`ve up?
l didn't give up. l...
l'm starting something new here.
MigueI, where are you staying?
MigueI!
Listen, Mom, l have to go. The card's almost out of minutes.
MigueI, Iisten to me, pIease.
Don't worry. l'm staying with a friend.
l have a job. Everything's all right. l'll send money tomorrow.
Listen to me. You ha`ve to go back.
l love you. l'm sorry.
l was here the other day.
Did you find your friend?
No... Actually, l'm looking for a job.
Fernando!
Tell him you like his shirt.
When you have them here...
you just have to make sure you get all the scraps off.
Because the machine won't wash that off.
A little splash of water...
You raise this up here...
put them inside.
And that's it.
How long have you been working here?
Two years.
Do you have family here?
No. My wife and kids are in Mexico.
My family is in the Dominican.
-Remember me? -Yes.
But sorry, l still don't have a job for you.
That's okay. l already found one.
Actually, l'm trying to make a table...
And l'd like to buy some wood and supplies.
l don't really sell raw materials.
l just moved here...
and l don't have a space to work. So l was wondering if...
lf l could use your workshop.
l could work for you in exchange. Help you clean up...
Whatever you need.
You don't have to pay me.
Somebody paying you for the table?
No. lt's a gift for my mom.
Something l like to do.
How old are you?
Twenty.
Who taught you to make tables?
My dad. He was a carpenter in San Pedro.
l've got a few guys from there working here.
l'm Puerto Rican.
What are you doing in New York?
l came to work. l used to play baseball.
The whole world plays baseball.
My son's sixteen.
Won't touch a piece of wood that's not a baseball bat.
l never cared for the game, myself. Too slow.
Your mom still in San Pedro?
Yeah. With my sister and brother.
So, let's see...
You're telling me that you want to make a table for your mom...
then mail it back to her in the Dominican Republic?
Yes.
What's your name?
Miguel.
Osvaldo.
ls Sofia there?
Yes, it's Miguel again.
Could you tell her...
Just tell her l called.
So you never liked baseball? Not even as a kid?
Sometimes during the play-offs l'll watch a game or two.
Who's your favorite player?
l don't know enough to have a favorite.
C'mon, everybody has a favorite player.
Fine.
José Canseco.
That's the best you can do?
lt's all the same to me. What about you?
Roberto Clemente.
What do you know about Clemente?
l read something where he said...
''lf you have the opportunity...
''to help someone, and you don't, then you're wasting your life.''
Besides...
He was a carpenter, too.
Get out of here.
For real. He used to make furniture during the off-season.
Are you messing with me?
Because you know l can google this fool right now.
-Google? -Yeah, the lnternet.
Don't worry. l'll teach you someday.
When did you get released?
l didn't get released.
l left a few weeks before the season ended.
You left?
When was that?
About two weeks ago.
Who are you staying with?
Oh, you know, with a friend.
But if you know somebody who needs a roommate...
Why'd you leave?
Do you have any family here?
But l'm okay.
l have some money saved, a couple friends.
l'll go home to visit soon.
Frank... it's Miguel.
My God, MigueI. What the heII happened?
Sorry for calling late.
l'm in New York.
I heard. Youre making me Iook bad.
What the heII are you doing there?
l got a job, but... l don't know if l'm going to stay.
Where you gonna go?
The seasons o`ver. Your `visas expired.
l know, but...
l thought maybe l could...
I can taIk to AI`varez.
But I dont know what to teII you.
Theyre not happy about this.
l know.
l'm sorry.
Hey, look who's here.
Well, down to work.
l've got nowhere to go.
So, Miguel...
l did some research, and now l've got a favorite player.
Who is it, then?
Vic Power. You know him?
You ought to.
One of the best first basemen ever.
He was Puerto Rican. But that's not why he's my favorite.
When he first arrived in the States, around '51, '52...
he was playing in the minors. Little Rock, Arkansas.
And he stopped into this diner for lunch.
Now, Vic knew very little English.
Didn't even notice the sign hanging in the window that said...
''Whites only.''
And Vic was black. l mean black like you.
So what happens?
He comes in and sits down at the counter.
And this little waitress comes up to him and says...
So Vic leans close to the waitress and he says...
Understand?
She says, ''We don't serve blacks.''
And he says, ''That's okay, l don't eat black people.''
He's my favorite!
l called the Higgins to give you my new number.
But they said you split.
l couldn't believe it, man. l had no idea.
Things got ugly after you left.
We all go through slumps. You know how it is.
Yeah, but it wasn't just a slump.
What was it, then?
l don't know, but l wasn't gonna wait for them to throw me out.
-l'm just saying... -Whatever, man
You wouldn't be saying that stuff if you made it.
Maybe.
Sugar! Rafi needs you in the kitchen.
They call you Sugar?
What can l say? The name sticks.
They got all kinds in this league...
Fat cats in their 40s, kids like you and me...
Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, even some white boys.
l got this 50-year-old catcher on my team.
Used to play for the Dodgers.
Can't run for shit, but he's out there every week.
Belly out to here.
But he can still go deep.
You ever hear from that kid Brad?
l got the photo you sent, but you have to send me more.
Okay, Mom, but...
it would be easier if you got an e-mail account.
An e-maiI account? I can bareIy use the TV!
l'm making you a new table.
Its going to be reaI nice.
l'm sure l'll love it. Thank you.
How's Erica?
She's good. She got a job at the factory.
But just part-time, so she can keep up with schooI.
And Luis?
He's pitching now. You should see him.
He's got his brother's arm.
Sure, but can he throw a knuckle curve?
I miss you, Mom. Im working hard.
l'll be home soon.
Give everyone a hug for me.
I Io`ve you, Sugar.
l love you, too.
Caballo!
How you doing?
This is Miguel, from San Pedro.
The new guy. You ready to pitch?
l think so.
lt's been a while, no?
Don't worry. He's ready.
That's what l like!
José, meet Miguel. They call him Sugar.
What's up, Sugar?
José played for the Padres Triple-A team.
Hit a dinger off Pedro once.
-Twice. -Twice.
l played for the Yankees.
Milwaukee Brewers.
Kansas City.
Me too. l played in Bridgetown.
Bridgetown. l was there in 2001 . l lived on a big farm.
-With the Higgins! -Yeah, with the Higgins!
This isn't soccer, you can use your hands!