[SINGING GOSPEL SONG]
[NEWSREEL NARRATOR] THIS 1916 PORTRAIT SHOWS US TY COBB
IN HIS DETROIT TIGERS UNIFORM.
THE GEORGIA PEACH.
NOTE THE SMUG EXPRESSION
AND THE HAUNTING SET OF EYES.
THESE DISTURBING EYES CAN BE SEEN
IN THE EARLIEST PHOTO EVER TAKEN OF YOUNG TY.
HERE WE SEE THE FAMOUS SWING OF THE GREAT TY COBB.
TURN THE CLOCK BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY
WHEN AMERICA FIRST EMBRACED BASEBALL
AND THE EXCHANGING OF THE GROUND RULES
BECAME A PREGAME RITUAL THAT SURVIVES TO THIS DAY.
AT THAT TIME,
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL WAS A CASUAL GAME,
WITH A CIRCUS ATMOSPHERE.
BASEBALL PLAYERS WERE OFTEN CLOWNS,
AND PREGAME ANTICS TOOK ON THE FLAVOR OF VAUDEVILLE.
BUT YOUNG TY COBB WOULD HAVE NONE OF THAT.
HE TURNED THE GAME INTO WAR,
AND IN THE PROCESS, INVENTED THE MODERN GAME AS WE KNOW IT.
HERE WE SEE HIM RUNNING OVER A FIRST SACKER
ON A DRAG BUNT,
A PLAY HE PERFECTED.
THE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKING GAME
WAS VIRTUALLY COBB'S INVENTION.
INFIELDERS AND CATCHERS OFTEN BLED FROM HIS SPIKES.
COBB WOULD FIGHT ANY MAN, ON OR OFF THE FIELD,
AT THE DROP OF A HAT.
BATTING CHAMPION 12 TIMES,
HE AVERAGED OVER .300 FOR 23 CONSECUTIVE YEARS
AND AVERAGED OVER .400 FOR A FIVE-YEAR STRETCH.
HIS LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE OF .367
HAS NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY APPROACHED.
THE FIRST CELEBRITY ATHLETE IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
MOVIE STARS AND PRESIDENTS ALL SOUGHT HIS COMPANY.
HERE COBB POSES WITH HIS GREAT ARCHRIVAL,
THE LEGENDARY BABE RUTH.
HERE WE SEE COBB WITH ONE OF HIS FIVE CHILDREN,
HIS LITTLE DAUGHTER SHIRLEY.
HERE HE POSES WITH SOME KIDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND HERE HE SHOWS HIS SON
HIS CURIOUS HANDS-APART GRIP,
THOUGH HE WAS UNABLE TO TEACH
HIS FLAMING COMPETITIVE HEART.
CHARGED WITH FIXING GAMES IN 1926,
COBB WAS ROUNDLY SUPPORTED BY THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA,
WHO CAME TO THE GREAT BATSMAN'S DEFENSE.
THE SUPPOSED SCANDAL
PROVED TO BE MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
WHEN BASEBALL COMMISSIONER JUDGE LANDIS
FULLY ACQUITTED THE GEORGIA PEACH OF ALL WRONGDOING.
...THAT IS THE VERY BACKBONE OF AMERICA ITSELF.
NEAR THE END OF HIS CAREER,
COBB JOINED THE PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS,
AND, AT THE AGE OF 41,
HE BATTED .323
AND RETIRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER,
TELLING THE WORLD, "IF A MAN CAN'T HIT BETTER THAN THAT,
HE OUGHT TO QUIT."
TY COBB DOMINATED THE GAME
AS NO MAN EVER HAS.
YES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WHAT A BALL PLAYER.
[THEME FROM A SUMMER PLACE PLAYS]
HEY, STUMP.
STUMPY!
GENTLEMEN.
GET OVER HERE! WE GOT TO SETTLE THIS.
CONGRATS, AL.
FOUR PIECES IN NATIONAL MAGAZINES THIS MONTH.
FIVE.
OH, WELL...
YOU'RE THE MAN, STUMPY.
STUMPY, 3:45. YOU'RE LATE.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
STUMPY, BEST FIGHTER, POUND FOR POUND?
JOE LOUIS.
CHAMP 11 YEARS.
WALKER SMITH JR.,
BETTER KNOWN TO YOU DILETTANTES AS SUGAR RAY ROBINSON.
THE ROCK-- RETIRED UNDEFEATED, 49 AND ZIP.
HENRY ARMSTRONG HELD THREE TITLES AT THE SAME TIME.
NO OTHER FIGHTER...
LOOK AT US. LOOK AT US.
WE CALL OURSELVES WRITERS,
AND ALL WE DO IS WATCH BALLGAMES,
ARGUE, AND GET DRUNK.
YOU CALL THAT WRITING?
YEAH.
BESIDES, ALAN HERE
IS WRITING A SERIOUS NOVEL, AREN'T YOU?
YEAH, WELL, I HAVEN'T STARTED YET, BUT I'M GOING TO.
BY THE END OF THIS CENTURY.
YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD PAGES.
YOU'RE PATHETIC. THE ONLY REASON YOU WRITE IS FOR A PAYCHECK.
BESIDES, GREATEST FIGHTER-- HARRY GREB.
294 FIGHTS--NO CONTEST. GUY KILLED EVERYBODY.
HARRY GREB, MY ASS. HE COULDN'T BEAT HARRY BELAFONTE.
HARRY GRABBED YOUR ASS?
BEST SINGER, MALE-- ELVIS.
PERRY COMO.
THREE WORDS--
FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA.
WHAT ABOUT NAT KING COLE?
BEST KING--
HENRY VIII. STARTED A NEW RELIGION, HAD SIX WIVES.
KING JAMES HAD A BIBLE NAMED AFTER HIM.
STUMP! PHONE.
KING TUT.
KING DAVID.
KING DAVID--BEST JEW...
BEST KING--
KING KONG.
THAT'S THE BEST MONKEY.
MONKEY BUSINESS...
ALL THE TARZAN MOVIES--
ALL THE TARZAN MOVIES...
YES.
CHEETAH WAS THE FAVORITE.
WHO?
SAY, WHO?
[MOUTHING WORD]
YES, SIR, I CERTAINLY WOULD.
YES, SIR.
YES, SIR, I CAN. YE--
YES, SIR. FINE. THANK YOU.
[MOUTHING WORD]
COBB WANTS TO SEE ME.
COBB WHO?
TY COBB. HOW MANY COBBS DO YOU KNOW?
COBB? BUT COBB IS DEAD.
NOT YET HE AIN'T.
HE WANTS TO TELL ME THE REAL STORY OF HIS LIFE BEFORE HE CROAKS.
THAT WAS TY COBB ON THE PHONE?
I HEARD HE KILLED A MAN.
STUMPY, HE'S CRAZY. HE'S MESHUGA.
STUMPY, LISTEN TO ME. YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL WITH COBB.
HE'S OVER 70. WHAT'S HE GOING TO DO, WHEEZE ON ME?
I THINK I CAN HANDLE HIM.
BESIDES, HE WANTS TO SEE ME.
COBB WANTS TO SEE ME!
GREATEST BALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME?
TY COBB. TY COBB.
I LIKE RUTH.
RUTH? RUTH? RUTH?
[MUD] BABE RUTH. EVER HEARD OF HIM?
[ALL ARGUING]
COBB OWNED PROPERTY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
BUT IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN STAYING AT HIS HUNTING LODGE
AT LAKE TAHOE IN THE SIERRA NEVADAS.
THE STORIES OF COBB SHARPENING HIS SPIKES BEFORE A GAME
WERE AS FAMILIAR AS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS CHERRY TREE
OR TEDDY ROOSEVELT CHARGING UP SAN JUAN HILL.
I ALSO KNEW HIS REPUTATION
FOR BEING DIFFICULT AT BEST,
PSYCHOTIC AT WORST.
BY HIS OWN ADMISSION,
HE SET OUT TO HURT HIS OPPONENTS.
IN ONE SEASON ALONE, HE SENT 12 MEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
BULLSHIT! GO AHEAD AND QUIT, THEN, WILLIE!
[GLASS BREAKS]
GO AHEAD AND QUIT!
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!
NOW, MR. COBB, FUCK YOU!
YOU AIN'T NO GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN THE WORLD.
MY ASS PLAYS BETTER BASEBALL THAN YOU.
I'M OUT OF HERE.
NOW, FUCK YOU, MR. COBBS.
I'VE GOT TOO MUCH DIGNITY
TO SPEND ANOTHER MOMENT WITH YOU.
I HOPE YOU DIE BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP,
AND MAY YOU ROT IN HELL.
EXCUSE ME. WHO ARE YOU?
I'M THE WRITER.
HE ACTUALLY FOUND SOMEONE TO TAKE THE JOB?
WRITER, YOU GOT IT.
HE MAKES SOMEBODY DANCE YANKEE DOODLE DANDY ON HIS ASS.
GO ON IN THERE.
YOU'LL NEVER LAST A DAY WITH THAT OLD BASTARD.
YOU GOING TO WRITE THAT SHIT?
TALKING ABOUT HE'S THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME.
MY ASS PLAYS BETTER BASEBALL THAN HIM.
I AIN'T NEVER WORKING FOR YOU NO MORE.
I'M FREE, AND I'M GLAD TO BE OUT OF HERE.
THIS IS AMERICA, YOU OLD MOTHERFUCKER.
FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
THIS IS THE LAND OF "O SAY CAN YOU SEE."
KISS MY ASS WITH A STRAW!
[GLASS BREAKS]
MR. COBB?
WHERE'S THAT SPORTSWRITER AT?
MR. COBB?
[VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS]
MR. COBB?
HELLO, MR. COBB.
[GUNSHOT]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. COBB,
BUT I DON'T NEED THIS JOB THAT BAD.
[GUNSHOT]
YES, MR. STUMP,
YOU DO NEED THIS JOB THAT BAD.
NOW, COME ON IN HERE AND MEET THE GREAT TY COBB!
The old man's nuts. He's nuts.
O.K., now.
Don't let him get you.
I WON'T HURT YOU.
COME ON IN HERE.
[VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS]
ON THE VIOLIN'S FRITZ KREISLER.
I'M A GREAT ADMIRER OF HIS.
I'M ALSO A GREAT ADMIRER OF YOURS.
THANK YOU.
YOU ARE A HOPELESS ROMANTIC
AND ONLY A MODERATE SUCCESS, HOWEVER.
SIR, I AM THE HIGHEST-PAID SPORTSWRITER IN AMERICA
AND NOT MERELY A "MODERATE SUCCESS."
OF COURSE.
[COUGHS]
HAND ME THOSE GREEN AND WHITE PILLS RIGHT THERE, PLEASE.
[COUGHS]
RIGHT THERE.
[COUGHING AND WHEEZING]
[COUGHING]
THAT IS AN INVITATION TO A TESTIMONIAL DINNER
AT THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK.
YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE ME THERE.
[LABORED BREATHING]
WHEN IS IT?
A FEW WEEKS.
ALL THE GREAT ONES ARE GOING TO BE THERE--
THE GREAT MICKEY COCHRANE WILL BE THERE,
WAHOO SAM CRAWFORD, JIMMIE FOXX,
ROGERS HORNSBY, THE WANER BOYS.
GODDAMN, WE USED TO HAVE SOME PARTIES, STUMP,
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU.
[SIGHS]
WE CAN'T FORGET.
I WON'T FORGET.
[PUSHES NEEDLE OFF RECORD]
LOOK AT ME CLOSELY, AL.
LIE AFTER LIE HAS BEEN TOLD ABOUT ME.
MY ENTIRE LIFE I'VE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD.
YOU ARE THE VERY FORTUNATE YOUNG SPORTSWRITER
WHO HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO TELL THE TRUE STORY...
OF TY COBB.
GREAT. WHAT'S THE TRUE STORY?
THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE.
THERE'S TWO KINDS OF WRITERS IN THIS LIFE--
THE KIND THAT SPIN ENDLESS YARNS ABOUT TINY LITTLE SUBJECTS--
THAT'S YOU--
AND THE KIND WITH ONE BIG SUBJECT THAT CONSUMES THEM--
THAT COULD BE YOU,
BECAUSE I AM THAT SUBJECT.
YOU O.K.?
JAMESON!
JAMESON, GET YOUR ASS UP HERE.
SIR?
[GRUNTS]
SSST! SSST! SSST!
SSST! SSST! SSST! SSST!
SSST!
SSST! SSST! SSST!
JAMESON, THERE'S A LITTLE OIL COMPANY UP IN BAKERSFIELD
ON THE ELK HILLS RESERVE
CALLED HONOLULU OIL COMPANY.
BUY ALL THE STOCK YOU CAN.
IT'S EXPANDING, LOOKING FOR LITTLE COMPANIES LIKE THAT.
I GOT A HUNCH.
STUMPY, COME OVER HERE.
I THINK I CAN TAKE THAT BUCK. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WITH THAT PISTOL? I DON'T BELIEVE--
SHH!
SO.
THERE'S A BOARD MEETING AT COCA-COLA IN ATLANTA NEXT WEEK.
TELL THEM I CAN'T MAKE IT FOR MEDICAL REASONS-- PERSONAL REASONS.
AND YOU SELL EVERYTHING I'VE GOT IN 3M.
GOT HIM! LIKE HELL YOU DID!
I SHOT HIS DAMN THROAT OUT!
YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT.
MR. COBB SAID HE GOT HIM.
THEN YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT, TOO.
YOU HAVE NO GODDAMN VISION.
A WRITER WITH NO VISION IS A WASTE OF MY TIME.
I'VE HIRED THE WRONG SON OF A BITCH.
I'D BETTER HEAD BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO BEFORE THE STORM HITS.
I'LL TAKE CARE OF THESE TRANSACTIONS, MR. COBB.
AND I'LL BE LEAVING, TOO, SIR,
SINCE YOU THINK I'M THE WRONG MAN FOR THE JOB.
WE BOTH KNOW I'M YOUR MEAL TICKET.
I BEG YOUR PARDON?
WE NEED EACH OTHER.
WE'LL START IN THE MORNING.
NO!
OH, YEAH. BRIGHT AND EARLY.
[NEEDLE SCRATCHES RECORD]
[VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS]
MR. COBB, I DON'T THINK I MADE MYSELF PERFECTLY CLEAR.
MR.--MR. COBB--
MR.--
[SNORING]
[STUMP] READY.
CHAPTER ONE, PAGE ONE.
READY!
[SIGHS]
KNOW YE THAT A PRINCE AND A GREAT MAN HAS FALLEN THIS DAY.
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
THAT IS WHAT ROBERT LEE SAID
OVER THE GRAVE OF MY GRANDFATHER AT FREDERICKSBURG.
SO I'M TAKING NOTES?
NO, IT'S THE FIRST LINE OF MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
I'M NOT WRITING THAT.
WHY NOT?
IT'S HORSESHIT.
IT'S A THIRD-PERSON COMMENT
ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO'S ALREADY DEAD.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY HAS TO BE IN THE FIRST PERSON,
PLUS IT CAN'T COME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GODDAMN GRAVE.
MY STORY CAN COME FROM ANYPLACE I WANT IT TO.
NOT TO MENTION THE FACT,
YOU CAN'T CALL YOURSELF A PRINCE AND A GREAT MAN.
THAT'S FOR THE WORLD--
WHAT KIND OF GODDAMN WRITER ARE YOU?
WHAT'S THE POINT IF YOU CAN'T SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY?
YOU'RE TREATING ME LIKE A STENOGRAPHER.
"THAT A PRINCE AND A GREAT MAN
HAS FALLEN THIS DAY."
HAS A CERTAIN RING TO IT.
IT CERTAINLY DOES.
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.
IT'S YOURS. IT'S A GIFT.
FROM ME.
COBB...
[TYPING]
A PRINCE AMONG MEN...
MISUNDERSTOOD IN HIS GENIUS...
[TYPING]
AS GENIUS ALWAYS IS...
COME ON.
THAT'S THE SECOND LINE OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE
THE GREATEST BIOGRAPHY OF A GREAT MAN EVER WRITTEN.
TYPE THE DAMN THING UP!
[TICKER TAPE MACHINE STARTS UP]
[COUGHING]
BETHLEHEM STEEL'S GOING IN THE TOILET.
I'LL BE A STRIPED-ASS APE.
[COUGHING]
JAMESON, BETHLEHEM STEEL'S GOING IN THE TOILET.
DUMP IT ALL RIGHT NOW.
[COUGHING AND WHEEZING]
YOU GOT A STOCK TIP FOR ME?
BUY COCA-COLA. WE'RE ABOUT TO GO OUT IN CANS.
COKE IN CANS?
I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
[COUGHING AND WHEEZING]
[COUGHING]
YOU KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH TY COBB?
I GOT EVERY GODDAMN DISEASE KNOWN TO MAN,
BUT THEY AIN'T NEVER GOING TO GET ME IN A HOSPITAL.
MY HEART LEAKS.
MY DOCTORS, NOTHING BUT GODDAMN HACKSAWERS,
GIVE ME DIOXIN TO KEEP IT PUMPING.
THEY GIVE ME DARVON FOR THE CANCER IN MY BACK.
THEY GIVE ME TACE
FOR SOMETHING EATING UP MY STOMACH.
THEY GIVE ME FLEETS COMPOUND
FOR AN INFECTION IN MY BOWELS.
THEY GIVE ME LIBRIUM...
FOR MY TENSION.
THEY GIVE ME INSULIN FOR DIABETES.
BUT THIS STUFF...
THIS STUFF, STUMPY...
WILL FUCKIN' KILL YOU.
OHH!
[MOANING]
[SYRINGE DROPS TO FLOOR]
AAH...
AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH,
IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I GOT MY PECKER UP IN THE AIR.
THE SOUTH MAY NOT RISE AGAIN, YOUNG MAN,
BUT MY DICK WILL.
I SOON DISCOVERED
I COULDN'T BE AROUND THE MAN FOR LONG
WITHOUT NEEDING A BREAK,
WHICH HIS PAINKILLERS GRACEFULLY PROVIDED.
MY SANITY WOULD SOON DEPEND UPON A FREQUENT BREATH OF FRESH AIR,
A WALK IN THE WOODS, ANY ESCAPE,
FROM WHAT ONE SPORTSWRITER HAD CALLED,
"COBB'S BROODING SOUL THAT BUBBLED WITH VIOLENCE."
MY GOD.
[WIND HOWLING]
[PANTING]
[COBB LAUGHS]
GOOD NEWS, STUMPY. WE'RE GOING TO RENO. I'M HORNY.
THERE'S A BLIZZARD OUT THERE.
WHEN A MAN WANTS A WOMAN, A MAN WANTS A WOMAN!
LET'S JUST PUT UP SOME SOUP.
WE'LL BUILD A FIRE, WORK ON THE BOOK.
HOW COZY.
THERE'S $25,000 IN CASH, NEGOTIABLE SECURITIES.
DON'T LET IT OUT OF YOUR SIGHT.
YOU'RE NUTS! THOSE ROADS ARE IMPASSABLE!
YOU LEAD, I'LL FOLLOW.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. I NEED A WOMAN.
[HONKING]
GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!
JESUS!
[HONKING]
YOU CALL THAT DRIVING, ALICE?
MY SISTER CAN DRIVE BETTER THAN THAT.
STEP ON IT! LET'S GO! LET'S GO!
THEM GALS IS GONNA DIE OF OLD AGE BEFORE WE GET DOWN THERE!
ARE YOU NUTS?
AHH!
[HONKING]
GET OFF MY ASS!
ALL RIGHT, LITTLE GIRL, I'LL TAKE YOU TO SCHOOL.
OH! OH!
THAT'S YOUR FIRST DRIVING LESSON, ALICE.
COULDN'T TAKE IT, HUH?
TOO BAD.
[HONKING]
SHIT!
GOD!
AH HA HA HA!
DRIVING LESSON NUMBER TWO!
STEP ON IT, WILL YA?
ALL RIGHT, YOUNG MAN,
FOLLOW THE LEADER! WE'RE GONNA GET LAID!
GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD.
JUST GO. GO.
GO. GO.
FUCK YOU.
"GOOD NEWS, STUMPY. I'M HORNY."
BETTER NEWS, COBB. YOU'RE FUCKIN' CRAZY.
OH, NO.
OH, BOY.
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
OH, GOD.
HE'S DEAD.
TY COBB BOUGHT THE FARM.
COBB!
COBB?
IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME YOU GOT HERE.
YOU'RE ALIVE?
I WOULDN'T CALL IT LIVING,
BUT IT'LL DO.
HELP ME OUT OF THIS SON OF A BITCH.
GIVE ME YOUR HAND. THERE'S BLOOD.
OF COURSE. I JUST PUT MY HEAD
THROUGH THE GODDAMN WINDSHIELD!
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT-- "OH, MY GOD! I'M MAIMED"?
SHUT THE FUCK UP, AND GET IN THE CAR!
LOOKING LIKE JEFF FUCKING CHANDLER!
GET IN THE FUCKING CAR!
STUPID BASTARD. COME ON. LET'S GO.
GET ME OUT OF HERE.
JUST HOLD ONTO ME.
PULL YOU DOWN.
COME ON. COME ON!
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
COME ON!
STUMP, LEAD ON.
COME ON!
RUINED A PAIR OF GLOVES. SHIT!
LOOK AT THAT!
NO GODDAMN GUARDRAIL!
I'M GOING TO SUE THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNOR.
I'M SUING EVERY-GODDAMN-BODY!
I COULD'VE BEEN HURT!
YOU COULD'VE BEEN HURT? GET IN THE FUCKING CAR!
I'M DRIVING. I'M DRIVING!
YOU KNOW THE WAY TO RENO?
HELL, NO. I'M DRIVING.
OVER MY DEAD BODY!
THAT'S YOUR CALL, YOUNG MAN.
NOW, NO SUDDEN MOVES.
YOU MISERABLE SON OF A BITCH!
YOU FRIGHTENED, DESPERATE, PATHETIC OLD MAN!
GET OUT OF HERE!
YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THAT GUN,
AND IT DOESN'T IMPRESS ME
WHEN YOU KEEP WAVING IT AROUND.
YOU WON'T SHOOT ME. YOU NEED ME WORSE THAN I NEED YOU!
I KILLED A MAN.
THEN SHOOT ME AND PUT ME OUT OF MY FUCKING MISERY
BECAUSE I'M FREEZING!
THAT'S GOOD. I LIKE A MAN THAT STANDS UP TO ME.
STUMPY, THAT'S GOOD, SON!
COME ON. LET'S GO.
I'M DRIVING.
IT'S ONLY AN HOUR-- PLENTY OF TIME TO TELL MY STORY
BEFORE WE GET TO THOSE WOMEN.
WOMEN PLURAL?
SOME FOR ME, SOME FOR YOU.
I BET THEM GIRLS LINING UP NOW FOR US.
CONCENTRATE ON THE ROAD.
MY PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLY THIS--
LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE DIPLOMATIC.
A MAN'S FRIENDS SHOULDN'T CARE WHAT HE DOES.
THOSE WHO AREN'T HIS FRIENDS-- TO HELL WITH THEM.
YOU PROBABLY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD.
FINE, BUT FORGET THIS "KNOW YE THAT A PRINCE HAS FALLEN" STUFF.
I WAS BORN IN A SMALL TOWN IN NORTH GEORGIA.
MY DAUGHTER LIVES THERE.
STARTED PLAYING BASEBALL WHEN I WAS A KID,
BUT I WAS BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.
WATCH IT!
STARTED PLAYING FOR MONEY WHEN I WAS 17.
FATHER DIDN'T APPROVE.
FATHERS ARE LIKE THAT. WATCH THE ROAD.
FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN.
[OLD-TIME MUSIC PLAYS]
[APPLAUSE]
HE WAS ALSO A LEARNED MAN--
A PROFESSOR.
AND HE WAS BEING GROOMED FOR GOVERNOR
FROM THE DAY IN 1900 HE WAS ELECTED MAYOR.
FRANKLIN COUNTY POLITICS, AND I WILL DELIVER.
I PROMISED THAT CITY HALL WOULD BE RUTHLESSLY HONEST...
HE WAS THE PILLAR OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
HEAD DEACON IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
MY FATHER WAS EVERYTHING.
* DRAWN FROM *
* EMMANUEL'S VEINS *
* AND SINNERS PLUNGED *
* INTO THAT FLOOD *
* LOSE ALL THEIR GUILTY STAINS **
MY MOTHER WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE COUNTY.
SHE MARRIED MY FATHER WHEN SHE WAS 12,
WHICH WAS HOW THEY USED TO DO IT.
SHE TAUGHT ME TO BELIEVE IN THE HYMNS WE SANG.
I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE BLOODY ONES.
"AND THE SINNERS PLUNGED BENEATH THAT FLOOD,
LOSE ALL THEIR GUILTY STAINS."
HA HA!
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER...
THE SON...
AND THE HOLY GHOST!
I WAS BAPTIZED! THEN A SHORT TIME LATER,
WALKING HOME WITH MY PALS,
FEELING VERY CHRISTIAN,
READY TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE...
MY FATHER DIDN'T DRINK, SMOKE, GAMBLE, OR CHASE WOMEN,
AND I WASN'T GOING TO EITHER.
THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN...
[WHISTLING]
THERE WAS A TRAIN COMING AT US
ON THE SOUTHBOUND TRACK.
THERE I WAS--
A NEWLY BAPTIZED CHILD OF GOD.
HADN'T HARDLY SINNED, AND I WAS GOING TO DIE.
I FELT STRANGELY CALM,
AND AS THE TRAIN GOT CLOSER,
I JUST STOOD THERE
AND STOOD...
AND STOOD.
HELL, I KNEW WHEN TO JUMP.
IT WAS THE GREATEST THRILL OF MY LIFE--
NOT COUNTING THE FIRST TIME I SAW A WOMAN NAKED.
I FELT PROTECTED...
BY MY FATHER,
BY MY MOTHER,
THE BAPTISM. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
I KNEW I COULD NOT BE HURT.
[BOY LAUGHING]
FATHER DIED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, YOU KNOW.
NO, I DIDN'T.
MY FATHER WAS MURDERED.
ISN'T THAT THE KIND OF THING YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
[GUNSHOT]
YOUR FATHER WAS MURDERED?
HAPPENED WHEN I WAS 17,
ABOUT THREE, FOUR DAYS BEFORE DETROIT CALLED ME UP.
WAS THE KILLER CAUGHT?
THERE WAS AN ARREST, TRIAL, AN ACQUITTAL.
NEVER A CONVICTION.
JESUS CHRIST. I'M SORRY.
DON'T GIVE ME THAT SOB-SISTER CRAP.
ALL THAT MATTERS IN LIFE IS A MAN'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AND IN ALL HUMILITY,
IN ALL HUMILITY,
I'M THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME.
NOBODY EVEN COME A CLOSE SECOND.
THEY SAY I USED TO SHARPEN MY SPIKES.
GEORGIA PEACH, YOU SON OF A BITCH.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET HURT TODAY,
YOU PECKER-NECK SON OF A BITCH.
YOU WANT IT NOW OR OUT THERE?
BUT I ASK YOU,
CAN YOU HURT A MAN WORSE BY CUTTING HIM UP
WITH DULL, RUSTY STEEL
OR A FINELY HONED RAZOR-SHARP EDGE?
YOU COULD VIEW MY EFFORTS AS HUMANITARIAN, AL.
DOUBLE TO LEFT, STEAL THIRD, STEAL HOME!
8 TO 1.
BULLSHIT.
10 TO 1.
$100. LEROY, HOLD THIS MAN'S MONEY.
IT WON'T BE FOR VERY LONG.
[CROWD CHEERING]
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
WHERE'D ALL THESE NEWSPAPERS COME FROM?
WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO READ?
GET YOUR HEAD IN THE BALLGAME.
HELLO! HELLO TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!
YOU OLD BASTARD!
GET OUT OF THE WAY. YOU'RE A HAS-BEEN!
ALL RIGHT.
STRIKE! YOU'RE OUT!
WHO SIGNED YOU?
GO TO HELL, COBB.
YES, INDEED. EXCELLENT DAY FOR A GAME OF BALL.
HOW DO YOU DO, CYCLOPS?
SHUT UP, COBB.
YOU'RE MISSING AN EXCELLENT BALLGAME. BY THE WAY...
YOUR WIFE LEFT THESE
IN MY AUTOMOBILE LAST NIGHT.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETURN THEM TO HER.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE HAVE ON THE MOUND TODAY.
COME ALONG.
STRIKE ONE!
IS THAT ALL YOUR BOY HAS?
THIS MUST BE A HOMETOWN BOY.
CHECK YOUR WIFE. ONE OF THE BALL PLAYERS ARE MISSING.
COME ON, BOY.
YOU'RE GOING DOWN, COBB.
WHOA!
IS THAT THE FASTEST YOU CAN THROW?
IF THAT WERE MY BEST, I'D WEAR A GODDAMN DRESS!
IT'S TOUGH HITTING FROM YOUR BACK.
THAT'S THE WAY YOUR MOTHER ALWAYS LIKED IT.
PLAY BALL!
WATCH IT!
HE'S OUT.
YOU SHOULD'VE TRIED TO KILL ME.
I HEAR YOU'RE FROM GEORGIA,
WHERE MEN ARE MEN AND SHEEP ARE NERVOUS.
GET BACK ON THAT HILL, RAG-ARM.
I'M GOING TO STEAL THIRD ON YOU.
I'M COMING DOWN THERE!
LET'S GO, UMP!
COME ON, UMP!
THAT'S ENOUGH!
HEY, HEY. COME ON, COBB!
HEY, YOU WANT IN ON THE ACTION?
MY GRANDMOTHER THROWS BETTER THAN THAT!
COMING DOWN TO KICK YOUR DAGO ASS!
COME ON! COME ON!
SHOULD'VE STUCK IT IN THAT BASTARD'S EAR
WHEN I HAD A CHANCE.
HE'S GOING! HE'S GOING!
HE'S GOING!
SAFE!
HEY, COBB, I'M READY IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT.
TAKE THAT, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
COME ON, YOU GUYS, PLAY BALL!
YOU SON OF A BITCH!
THROW HIM OUT!
IN THOSE DAYS, YOU DIDN'T HOLD HANDS
AND DANCE WITH YOUR OPPONENTS.
THEY WERE THE ENEMY, AND YOU FOUGHT WITH THEM.
AND I WAS THE MOST HATED MAN IN BASEBALL.
YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE BOOED LIKE THAT?
IT FEELS WONDERFUL!
THEY COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT ME!
THEY CAME TO THE BALLPARK TO SEE ME!
50,000 FANS TRYING TO KILL ME EVERYWHERE I WENT.
I HAD SO MANY DEATH THREATS AT ONE TIME,
THE COPS HAD TO PATROL THE OUTFIELD AND THE STANDS
LOOKING FOR SNIPERS. I LOVED IT!
HEY, COBB, YOU STAY OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD!
ONLY GREAT MEN ARE BOOED.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY,
PRESIDENTS. I KNEW THEM ALL.
IT WAS A FACT IN THOSE DAYS
THAT WOODROW WILSON HAD THE BEST SCOTCH
AND USED TO INVITE ME TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO TRY IT OUT.
IT WAS ALSO A FACT THAT WARREN HARDING
HAD THE BEST BROADS AND THREW THE BEST PARTIES,
AND CALVIN COOLIDGE AND HIS STUPID CAT
WEREN'T ANY DAMN FUN AT ALL.
AFTER WORLD WAR II, GENERAL GEORGE PATTON
ASKED ME FOR MY AUTOGRAPH.
SAID HE'D PATTERNED HIMSELF AFTER ME.
YOU GETTING ALL THIS?
I'LL REMEMBER.
WHY DON'T YOU WRITE IT DOWN?
I'M PREPARING TO DIE. I'M NOT READY.
I'M NOT EITHER. WE'RE GOING TO RENO TO GET LAID!
MAYBE I DON'T WANT TO GET LAID.
YOU QUEER?
I'M MARRIED.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE DIVORCED.
NO. WE'RE HAVING A PROBLEM,
BUT WE'RE TALKING IT OUT.
QUIT HANGING ON. GET A DIVORCE.
IS THAT WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO GET LAID,
YOU'RE FEELING LOYAL TO A WOMAN YOU'RE DIVORCING?
THAT'S STUPID.
I'M NOT GETTING A DIVORCE. I'M BEING LOYAL.
THAT'S WHY YOU TOOK OUT THAT BRUNETTE
WHO WORKED ACROSS THE COURTYARD IN SANTA BARBARA.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
I DO MY HOMEWORK.
IT DIDN'T LAST LONG.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF.
WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN, I'M A SHIT.
BUT I KNOW IT.
NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE BRUNETTE!
IT'S OUR LITTLE SECRET.
AND MY BEING A SHIT AIN'T GOING IN THE BOOK.
YOUR FAMILY GOES IN MY BOOK.
IT'S MY BOOK!
NOTHING ABOUT MY EX-WIVES OR CHILDREN IS GOING IN IT.
MY BOOK'S ABOUT BASEBALL!
MINE IS ABOUT COBB.
COBB IS BASEBALL!
OH, LOOK.
WHAT IS THAT? WHAT IS THAT?
THAT'S A MAN!
FUCK HIM.
STOP THE CAR!
WHOEVER IT IS GOT TO BE PRETTY STUPID
TO BE OUT IN THIS SHIT.
WHY? WE'RE OUT IN THIS SHIT.
HEY, COME ON!
GET IN THE CAR!
WHAT THE HELL YOU DOING OUT HERE?
IT'S YOU!
IT'S THE WRITER!
GET IN THE DAMN CAR!
OH, THANK YOU. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU FOUND ME.
I TOLD YOU YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY WITH THAT BASTARD.
[HONK HONK HONK]
COBB'S IN THE CAR. HE'S DRIVING.
MR. COBB'S IN THE CAR?
I AIN'T GETTING IN THE CAR WITH THAT SON OF A BITCH.
HE HATES COLORED PEOPLE.
HE HATES ALL FUCKING PEOPLE!
YOU'D GIVE HIM THE SATISFACTION OF DYING OUT HERE?
IF DYING OUT HERE GIVES HIM PLEASURE,
THEN I WON'T DIE HERE!
GET IN THE CAR!
[HONK]
IT'S WILLIE. WE'LL GIVE HIM A LIFT INTO TOWN.
BULLSHIT. I AIN'T TAKING THAT NIGGER ANYWHERE.
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GIVE HIM A LIFT!
YOU AIN'T GOING TO SHOOT ME, STUMPY.
NO, I WON'T!
BUT I'M SURE WILLIE HERE WILL TAKE GREAT SATISFACTION IN IT.
WILLIE, ARE YOU A BASEBALL FAN?
YES, SIR.
WHO'S THE GREATEST BALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME, IN YOUR OPINION?
WILLIE MAYS. NO DOUBT.
THAT NIGGER COULD NOT HOLD MY JOCKEY STRAP.
EXCUSE ME. THE MAN IS SPEAKING.
AND I'D SAY THE SECOND GREATEST PLAYER
IS JACKIE ROBINSON.
WILLIE, THAT'S HORSESHIT!
JOSH GIBSON IS THE GREATEST CATCHER!
WHAT ABOUT MICKEY COCHRANE?
WHAT ABOUT CAMPANELLA?
HELL, YEAH. YOU TRY TO STEAL ON CAMPY,
HE TAG YOUR ASS OUT.
THAT'S VERY POOR FIREARM SAFETY, WILLIE.
WILLIE, WHO WOULD YOU SAY
WAS THE BEST BASE RUNNER?
OF COURSE THE GREATEST BASE RUNNER OF ALL TIME
ISN'T RIDING IN THIS CAR.
THE FASTEST BASE RUNNER OF ALL TIMES
WAS COOL PAPA BELL.
COOL PAPA BELL, MY ASS.
COOL PAPA BELL WAS SO FAST,
ONE TIME HE HIT A LINE DRIVE UP THE MIDDLE
THAT HIT HIMSELF IN THE HEAD SLIDING INTO SECOND BASE.
O.K., BEST PITCHER. SATCHEL PAIGE?
SATCHEL PAIGE, HE COULD THROW A PORK CHOP
PAST A WOLF.
MR. COBBS, WITH THAT HESITATION PITCH,
OL' SATCHEL WOULD HAVE HAD YOU BATTING .220
AND KISSING HIS BLACK ASS.
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE SO PREJUDICED.
YOU ONLY TALKING ABOUT NIGGER BALL PLAYERS.
PREJUDICED? YOU CALLING ME PREJUDICED?
THE MAN WITH THE GUN DOES THE TALKING.
YOU WRETCHED OLD PRICK.
MR. COBB. MR. COBB!
SLOW DOWN, MR. COBB.
WATCH IT. WATCH IT.
MR. COBB, MR. COBB, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?
AAH!
THAT'S IT! I'M DRIVING!
GET YOUR HANDS OFF THE GODDAMN STEERING WHEEL!
JESUS CHRIST!
AAH!
FUCKED UP ROAD, STUMPY.
THANK YOU, LORD.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. COBBS,
FOR THE LIFT INTO TOWN.
AND YOU, SIR,
YOU SHOULD LEAVE THIS DISGUSTING,
WRETCHED, SORRY SON OF A MOTHERFUCKER
IMMEDIATELY.
GOOD EVENING.
OH, THANK YOU, JESUS!
OH, LORD, THERE'S RENO, NEVADA.
LORD, I FEEL LIKE
I DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM NOW?
I'VE GOT A VIEW OF THE GARBAGE BINS.
I'M A LOYAL CUSTOMER--
LOYAL? ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN!
COMPLAIN? HAVE YOU EVER TRIED DRYING OFF WITH YOUR TOWELS?
THEY'RE SEE-THROUGH.
THEY ARE NOT! PLUS, PEOPLE STEAL THE GOOD ONES.
THEY STEAL THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE THICKER THAN YOUR BLANKETS.
TWO ROOMS, PLEASE.
GET IN LINE.
THE HEAT'S OUT. THE MATTRESS IS LUMPY.
I WANT A DISCOUNT.
MONA, YOU ALWAYS WANT A DISCOUNT.
RAMONA.
[COUGHING]
I GOT A VERY SICK MAN HERE.
CAN I GET HIM CHECKED IN?
WE'RE ALL SICK IN THE EYES OF GOD,
BUT SOME OF US STILL HAVE MANNERS.
I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU.
I'M MOVING DOWN THE STREET
TO A HIGHER LEVEL ESTABLISHMENT.
MAY I HELP YOU?
TWO ROOMS...
PLEASE.
I WAS A FOOL FOR THINKING
COBB'S BRILLIANCE MIGHT BE WHAT I NEEDED
AT THIS MOMENT OF MY LIFE.
TY COBB WAS THE LAST THING I NEEDED.
HE WAS NOT MISUNDERSTOOD.
HE WAS UNDERSTOOD PERFECTLY WELL.
HE HATED BLACKS. HE HATED JEWS.
HE HATED CATHOLICS.
HE HATED EVERYTHING EXCEPT HIMSELF
AND HIS OWN VIEW OF THE WORLD.
"PATHETIC, PARANOID, LOST IN THE PAST"!
WHAT IS THIS SHIT?
YOU CAN'T LOOK AT MY NOTES!
YOUR FUCKING NOTES. IT'S MY GODDAMN LIFE!
YOU'RE BETRAYING ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
I'M TELLING THE TRUTH.
WHOSE TRUTH?
MINE. I'M THE WRITER.
AND I AM THE LEGEND,
AND LEGENDS ARE NOT FUCKING PATHETIC!
THEY'RE JUST NOTES.
YOU DON'T KNOW A GODDAMN THING ABOUT GREATNESS,
DO YOU, BOY?
THIS IS SILLY. FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER WRITER.
NO.
THERE'S NO TIME.
O.K. I'M ENTITLED TO MY OPINION.
THAT IS TRULY PATHETIC!
WHO GIVES A GOD DAMN ABOUT THE OPINIONS OF AL STUMP?
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT TYRUS RAYMOND COBB,
AND THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO HE HATES,
'CAUSE EVERYBODY HATES SOMEBODY.
THEY DON'T CARE IF HE HAD 2 WIVES OR 10
OR IF HE HIT WOMEN.
YOU THINK THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO STEAL SECOND BASE?
YES! PRECISELY!
WELL, I DON'T.
OH, YOU'RE ONE OF THESE COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY-TYPE FELLOWS.
YOU WANT TO FIND THE MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
KNOWN AS THE BAD MAN COBB.
YOU FUCKING NITWIT. YOU THINK YOU'RE THE NEXT ERNEST HEMINGWAY?
YOU'RE A MODERATE-SIZED SUCCESS
IN A MODERATE-SIZED POND.
OH, FUCK YOU, COBB!
I AM MUCH MORE THAN A MODERATE SUCCESS.
SHOWING A LITTLE SPIRIT THERE.
I LIKE THAT. THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S GOOD.
YOU WANT SOME GODDAMN PSYCHOLOGY, SON?
I'M ALL EARS.
YOU LISTEN TO ME.
I'LL GIVE YOU SOME PSYCHOLOGY.
MY FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN.
HE TOLD MY MOTHER HE WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN
FOR THE WEEKEND ON BUSINESS,
BUT HE DIDN'T GO.
HE CAME BACK
BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE WAS BEING UNFAITHFUL.
I DON'T KNOW WHY HE THOUGHT IT,
BUT HE THOUGHT IT.
MY FATHER THOUGHT HE WOULD CATCH THE MAN
WHO WAS TRYING TO STEAL HIS WIFE FROM HIM,
CATCH HIM IN THE ACT.
MY FATHER HAD HIGH STANDARDS--
THE HIGHEST.
HE BELIEVED IN QUALITY.
HE BELIEVED IN EDUCATION.
HE BELIEVED IN GOD.
HE BELIEVED IN ME.
HE BELIEVED IN MY MOTHER.
BUT ON THAT NIGHT...
HE SEEMED LIKE A PROWLER,
AND SO...
MY MOTHER KILLED MY FATHER,
SHOT HIM IN THE BELLY.
AND THEN BLEW HIS HEAD CLEAN OFF.
YOUR MOTHER KILLED YOUR FATHER?
PRETTY GODDAMN GOOD PIECE OF PSYCHOLOGY,
WOULDN'T YOU SAY?
CHILDHOOD INCIDENT THAT EXPLAINS...ME.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I WAS A PRICK BEFORE IT HAPPENED
AND A MUCH BIGGER PRICK AFTER IT HAPPENED.
STICK THAT UP YOUR SIGMUND FREUD ASS.
YOUR MOTHER KILLED YOUR FATHER?
AND YOU'RE NOT PRINTING IT, EITHER.
I HAVE TO.
NO, NO, NO. NOT UNLESS I SAY SO.
I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, YOUNG MAN.
I HAVE FINAL EDITORIAL APPROVAL OF YOUR BOOK.
NO, NO. I DO.
I ALWAYS HAVE IT.
YOU READ YOUR CONTRACT?
IT'S MY STANDARD CONTRACT.
I WOULDN'T HAVE AGREED TO THIS
WITHOUT FINAL APPROVAL.
YOU'D BETTER CALL YOUR AGENT.
CALL YOUR LAWYER, TOO. WOULDN'T HURT TO CALL YOUR MOTHER.
YOU'LL NEED ALL THREE TIME THIS IS OVER WITH.
PLAY ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR GAMES.
HA HA HA HA. YES, SIR.
YOU'D BETTER CALL WILLIAM AND MORRIS.
LONG DISTANCE, PLEASE.
MURRAY HILL 6-5955.
STERLING!
AL. STERLING?
NO, IT'S GOING GREAT.
[CHUCKLING] COULDN'T BE BETTER.
UH, LOOK, QUICK QUESTION.
UH...
WE DIDN'T GIVE AWAY
FINAL EDITORIAL APPROVAL ON THE COBB BOOK, DID WE?
HA! HA, HA, HA, HA!
OH...DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
NO, EVERYTHING IS JUST SWELL, HUNKY-DORY.
NO, EVERYTHING'S JUST FINE.
SPEAK TO YOU LATER. BYE.
YOU'RE PRETTY DAMN STUPID
TO GIVE UP EDITORIAL APPROVAL.
YOU PREDATORY LITTLE BASTARD.
YOU THINK YOU GOING TO PICK OVER MY BONES,
YOU GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING.
OH, FUCK YOU, COBB.
HOW COME YOU SO MAD AT ME?
YOUR PUBLISHER, LAWYER, AND AGENT MADE THE DEAL.
YOU DIDN'T EVEN READ THE CONTRACT
'CAUSE YOU'RE VERY TRUSTING.
TRUST A LAWYER OR AGENT?
IF I WAS AL STUMP, I'D BE PISSED OFF AT AL STUMP.
LISTEN, YOU SON OF A BITCH.
IF YOU DIE BEFORE THIS BOOK IS FINISHED,
I'LL WRITE THE STORY I WANT.
I AIN'T GOING TO DIE BEFORE.
I'LL WRITE SLOW.
I'LL DIE SLOW.
NOW GET YOUR CLOTHES ON.
WE'RE GOING TO GO GET SOME PUSSY.
* YOU'RE THE LOVER I HAVE WAITED FOR *
* YOU'RE THE MATE THAT FATE HAD ME *
* CREATED FOR *
* AND EVERY TIME YOUR LIPS MEET MINE *
* BABY, DOWN AND DOWN I GO *
* ROUND AND ROUND I GO *
* I'M IN A SPIN... *
CIGARS.
CIGARETTES.
CIGARS.
CIGARETTES.
MR. COBB, WELCOME.
YES, SIR.
BRENDA, TAKE THEIR COATS.
* UNDER THE OLD BLACK MAGIC CALLED LOVE *
* IN A SPIN *
* LOVIN' THE SPIN I'M IN... *
THANK YOU.
WATCH YOUR STEP.
HELL, GET OFF ME.
* I SHOULD STAY AWAY *
* BUT WHAT CAN I DO? *
YES, SIR!
* FLAME *
* BURNIN' DESIRE... **
GUESS THEY KNOW YOU HERE.
HA HA HA. LITTLE BIT.
CIGARETTES.
DAMN, STUMP!
I BET YOU $100 I GET IN HER BRITCHES BEFORE DAWN.
MY GOD, IT'S MONA.
RAMONA. WE MET HER AT THE HOTEL, REMEMBER?
YOUNG LADY! COME ON OVER HERE.
GOOD EVENING, GENTLEMEN.
SOME CIGARS, MAYBE?
WE STOCKPILED SOME HAVANAS
BEFORE SEÑOR CASTRO DID HIS LITTLE NUMBER.
UH, SURE. COUPLE OF MONTE CRISTOS, PLEASE.
NUMBER TWO, RAMONA.
HAVE WE MET?
YES, AT THE HOTEL, CHECKING IN.
YOU WERE THE ASSHOLE.
EXCUSE ME, YOUNG LADY.
I'LL HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE MANNERS OF MY FRIEND HERE.
HE HAS A CRUDE SIDE.
I ACCEPT.
RAMONA. THAT'S A LOVELY NAME.
THAT'S A SPANISH NAME, ISN'T IT?
THAT MEANS, UH, MOONLIT GARDEN OF THE GODS, DOESN'T IT?
ACTUALLY, IT'S GERMAN,
AND IT MEANS WISE PROTECTRESS,
BUT THANKS FOR THE THOUGHT AND THE TIP.
I WANT TO SEE ALL YOUR CIGARS.
KEELY, I'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU.
WE LOVE YA, LOUIS!
THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. THANK YOU!
WE LOVES YOU, TOO.
OOH! I HAVE BEEN INFORMED
THAT WE HAVE A CELEBRITY WITH US TONIGHT,
A LEGEND, A MAN WHO TRULY NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION...
I'M GOING TO PLAY A LITTLE TRICK ON YOU. WATCH.
THE ONE AND ONLY TY COBB!
[GASPS]
MY!
HA HA! GOT YOU, DIDN'T I?
YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU WAS GOING TO BE IN SHOW BUSINESS!
COME UP HERE WITH ME.
WE'LL CUT A RUG UP HERE.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA.
HA HA! HEY, STUMPY!
* I CAN'T WAIT TILL SHE KISSES ME... *
[TY] * BOP, BOP, BOP **
MOONLIT GARDEN OF THE GODS.
* THAT YOUR MAN'S IN TOWN *
* OOH, IT'S A SHAME *
* VERY CHICK COOLS 'EM OUT *
* SAID, FELLAS, OOH, SHE CAN'T GET IT *
* THAT FELLA THAT SHE AIN'T MET YET *
* GOT YOUR NAME, GEORGIA *
* SWEET GEORGIA BROWN *
TY, COME UP HERE.
RIGHT HERE, DARLING.
AH, I LOVE YOU, DARLING.
THEY WANT YOU, TY.
OF COURSE THEY WANT ME.
[CHEERING]
* LOOK AT THOSE GIRLS, LOOK AT THOSE GUYS *
* THAT GIRL THINKS... *
HEY, SAM, I SEE YOU OVER THERE NOW.
HOW YOU DOING, BABY?
OH!
ALL RIGHT.
YES, SIR.
HOW ABOUT THIS RIGHT HERE, BABY?
* SHE CAN'T GET IT *
* OOH, OOH... *
HOW ABOUT A GREAT BIG SMOOCH THERE?
OH, YOU'RE VERY SWEET.
ALL RIGHT!
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN.
* GEORGIA PORGIA BROWN *
ALL RIGHT!
* SWEET GEORGIA BROWN **
THIS CAT CAN REALLY SWING.
HELP LOUIS WELCOME MR. TY COBB.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, MR. COBB.
I'M A BIG BASEBALL FAN,
SO I ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK YOU,
WITH ALL THE GREAT PLAYERS PLAYING BALL RIGHT NOW,
HOW WELL DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD DO
AGAINST TODAY'S PITCHERS?
I FIGURE I'D ONLY HIT ABOUT .290.
.290. THAT'S AMAZING, BECAUSE YOU BATTED OVER .400
A WHOLE BUNCH OF TIMES.
NOW TELL US ALL,
WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'D ONLY HIT .290?
'CAUSE I'M 72 FUCKING YEARS OLD,
YOU IGNORANT SON OF A BITCH.
LET ME SEE THIS THING.
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THAT SONG, SWEET GEORGIA BROWN.
FINE SONG ABOUT MY HOME STATE.
THAT SONG HAS BECOME THE THEME SONG OF THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS.
TOO BAD SUCH A FINE SONG
HAD TO BE TAKEN OVER BY A BUNCH OF NIGGERS
PLAYING A FAGGOT'S BALLGAME.
[AUDIENCE GASPS] COURSE, THAT TEAM IS OWNED BY A JEW
NAMED SAPERSTEIN, SO WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
THANK YOU, MR. COBB!
LET'S HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE
FOR MR. TY COBB!
GIVE ME THE DAMN MICROPHONE, DAGO BASTARD!
GET THIS CRACKER OFF MY STAGE!
LET ME EXPLAIN HOW TO HIT A BASEBALL.
IT'S A LOST ART.
EVER SINCE THAT HALF NIGGER BABE RUTH
STARTED HITTING HOME RUNS,
THE SKILL, ART, AND SCIENCE OF IT HAVE BEEN LOST.
TOM COLLINS.
COMING RIGHT UP, JOANNA.
HI.
OH, IT'S YOU AGAIN.
HEY, WITH ALL THE CUFFLUFFA,
I DIDN'T GET YOUR FRIEND'S NAME.
WHO IS THAT?
THAT IS TY COBB,
THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME.
BASEBALL SCHMASEBALL. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DANCER.
THE GUY LIKES TO LEAD. HE'S A LITTLE HARD TO FOLLOW,
BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN SPUN AROUND LIKE THAT
IN I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG.
YOU AND ME BOTH.
GEE, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.
IT'S THE WIG.
GODDAMN THING ITCHES, BUT IT'S GOOD FOR TIPS.
GIVE ME A LITTLE SCRATCH, WILL YOU?
AHH. A LITTLE FASTER.
YES. VERY NICE.
ARTIE, ANOTHER ROUND-- ON HIM.
RAMONA, YOU'RE STILL ON THE CLOCK.
WE HAVE RULES HERE.
YOU CAN'T SIT NEXT TO YOUR HAIR.
YOU HAVE TO SIT UNDER YOUR HAIR.
MY FOLLICLES NEED TO BREATHE,
AND MY SHIFT IS OVER.
THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
WHEW.
IT'S CROOKED. YOUR WIG'S CROOKED.
IT'S TILTED.
DOES IT BOTHER YOU?
NO. NO, NOT AT ALL.
IT'S--IT'S-- I LIKE IT.
I SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO TAKE ME TO BED.
IS THAT RIGHT?
You want money?
I'M NOT A WHORE, O.K.?
THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST INSULTING THINGS I'VE EVER HEARD!
NO, NO, I'M SORRY! LOOK, LOOK, LOOK.
I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS.
LET ME START OVER. I'M AL STUMP. I'M A WRITER.
OH, JUST DIVORCED.
NOT YET!
WHAT A STUPID ANSWER!
IS IT THAT OBVIOUS?
YEAH. SO IF YOU PAY ME TO SCREW, I WON'T DO IT.
THEN I WON'T. PAY OR SCREW?
WHATEVER.
YOU DON'T WANT TO SCREW.
NO, I DO.
ALL THIS AMBIGUITY, I SEE WHY SHE'S DIVORCING YOU.
I'M JUST TRYING TO SPEAK MY HEART.
I ASKED MY WIFE FOR A DIVORCE.
SHE SAID, "O.K." NOW I'M THINKING MAYBE I DON'T.
THEN GO BACK TO HER.
NO.
THEN QUIT CRYING.
YOU WANT A DIVORCE, YOU DON'T WANT A DIVORCE.
YOU'RE ASKING MARITAL ADVICE
FROM A WOMAN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN THE SACK.
SORRY. I APOLOGIZE. I'M REALLY NOT MYSELF.
WHO IS?
IT'S THIS ASSIGNMENT!
IT'S GOT ME TOTALLY BEFUDDLED.
AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL THE WORLD
THAT THIS MONSTER IS ACTUALLY A PRINCE?
AM I SUPPOSED TO LIE?
YOU GETTING PAID?
VERY WELL.
THEN IT'S NOT A LIE. IT'S A JOB.
QUIT AGONIZING. TAKE THE MONEY.
GET IT OVER WITH.
I CAN'T.
THEN QUIT.
I CAN'T.
FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY NOT?
BECAUSE HE KNOWS GREATNESS.
I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT GREATNESS.
GREATNESS IS OVERRATED.
MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT. MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT.
LOOK, UM...
LOOK, I'M SORRY I BOTHERED YOU.
I'VE JUST BEEN A LITTLE BIT OUT OF SORTS, O.K.?
SEE YOU AROUND.
I'M AN EXPERT ON OUT OF SORTS.
DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH. DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH.
YOU THINK I WON'T BE ABLE TO SCREW?
YEAH.
YEAH. IT CROSSED MY MIND.
HA HA HA HA!
SCREWING STEWED...
[MUMBLING]
HA HA HA HA.
AHH!
[MUSIC PLAYS]
I LOVE THIS SONG!
OHH!
* SOMEDAY... *
HI.
YOU ARE SO THOUGHTFUL.
THE OTHERS WOULD TRY AND GET ME DRUNK,
AND YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP ME SOBER.
YOU'D BE GOOD HUSBAND MATERIAL.
LET'S DANCE.
OH, HONEY, I--
PFFT!
OOH!
COME ON.
LET'S DANCE, GINGER.
RAMONA.
* AND YOUR SMILE SO WARM *
* AND YOUR CHEEKS SO SOFT *
* THERE IS NOTHING FOR ME *
* BUT TO LOVE YOU *
* JUST THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT... *
MAYBE THIS ISN'T SUCH A GOOD IDEA.
* WHEN YOU RETURN *
* YOUR TENDERNESS GROWS *
* TEARING MY FEARS *
* APART... **
[BANG]
[CRASH]
YOU TWO-TIMING BASTARD!
YOU GODDAMN JUDAS ISCARIOT!
YOU'RE STEALING MY GIRL!
STOP THAT. SHE'S NOT YOUR GIRL.
WHAT ARE YOU, CRAZY?
OH. STUMPY, ARE YOU O.K.?
YOU'RE COMING WITH ME, YOUNG LADY.
COME OUT HERE, GOD DAMN IT!
NO!
WHAT'S THAT?
IT'S MY HAIR.
PUT IT BACK ON.
THAT'S BETTER.
WHO ARE YOU AGAIN?
I'M THE GEORGIA PEACH.
I HAVE 4,191 BASE HITS
IN 11,429 AT BATS,
920 STOLEN BASES,
2,244 RUNS SCORED,
AND 93 BATTING RECORDS,
AND I WANT YOU TO TAKE OFF
EVERY STITCH OF YOUR CLOTHES.
I DON'T THINK SO.
THAT DON'T SCARE ME.
'CAUSE IF YOU KILL ME, I'LL BE DEAD.
AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SCREW A DEAD LADY.
I MIGHT LIKE IT.
NOW YOU TAKE OFF THEM GODDAMN CLOTHES.
YOU GOT BIG TITS?
I LIKE BIG TITS.
ACTUALLY, THEY'RE NOT SO BIG.
THEY'RE QUITE AVERAGE.
IT'S THE WAY THEY STACK THESE OUTFITS, YOU KNOW.
THEY JUST...BUILD THEM...
I OWE A LOT TO THESE WIGS AND THINGS.
A GIRL'S GOT TO DO WHAT'S SHE GOT TO DO.
SHUT UP.
YOU'RE SHY.
HA HA HA HA.
GET ON THE BED.
GET ON THAT BED.
MY GOD, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL.
LAY DOWN.
NOW ROLL OVER.
WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE WITH YOU IN MY PRIME.
I'M SURE YOU COULD HAVE, MR. COBB--
SHUT UP! TURN AROUND.
YEAH.
YEAH!
I WANT YOU TO DO
EXACTLY WHAT I TELL YOU TO DO.
[SIGHS]
OH, RAMONA.
OW!
EXACTLY WHAT I SAY.
$1,000.
JUST DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO.
SHUT UP!
YOU TAKE THIS $1,000,
YOU TELL EVERYBODY YOU MEET
THAT YOU FUCKED THE GREAT TY COBB,
AND I WAS THE GREATEST FUCK YOU EVER HAD
IN YOUR LIFE.
THAT'S ALL?
YOU WANT MORE? I'M A VERY WEALTHY MAN.
NO! IS THAT ALL YOU WANT ME TO DO?
YES. WILL YOU DO IT?
OH, YEAH.
OHH!
OHH! YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD,
YOU LIMBER SON OF A BITCH!
OHH.
I'M DEAD DOWN HERE. DEAD.
NOTHING. IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR TWO DAMN YEARS!
NOTHING! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!
OHH!
GET THE GODDAMN HELL OF OUT HERE.
GET THE GODDAMN HELL OUT OF HERE!
RAMONA!
GEORGIA PEACH, MY ASS!
GEORGIA TRASH IS WHAT HE IS.
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
THAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ASS I EVER HAD.
GOD ALMIGHTY, THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL.
WHOO-AAH!
WE DIDN'T MISS THE TESTIMONIAL DINNER, DID WE, STUMP?
WE GOT TO GO.
NO. NO, IT'S O.K.
WE GOT TO GO.
LAY DOWN. LAY DOWN.
TESTIMONIAL DINNER?
YEAH, WE'LL GO TO THE TESTIMONIAL DINNER.
BETTER GET UP AND GO, STUMP.
I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.
THAT NIGHT I MADE A DECISION.
I DECIDED TO TELL THE TRUTH.
I ALSO MADE ANOTHER DECISION.
I WAS GOING TO STAY WITH THE BASTARD
AND FINISH THE BOOK, NO MATTER WHERE HE TOOK ME.
[DOOR CLOSES]
AND SO I BEGAN WORKING ON TWO MANUSCRIPTS.
ONE WAS HIS VERSION-- MY LIFE IN BASEBALL:
HOW TO STEAL SECOND BASE,
OR HOW TO HIT THE BREAKING BALL TO THE OPPOSITE FIELD.
IT CONTAINED NOTHING ABOUT HIS PARENTS,
NOTHING ABOUT HIS CHILDREN, EX-WIVES,
NONE OF WHOM WOULD EVEN SPEAK TO HIM.
IT CONTAINED NO INSIGHTS FROM HIS FRIENDS
BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND ANY.
IT WAS A BASEBALL BOOK,
AND I KEPT IT IN THE TYPEWRITER
FOR HIM TO DISCOVER AND AMEND.
IT WAS A BOOK I NEVER PLANNED TO PUBLISH.
THE SECOND BOOK, MY BOOK,
WAS WRITTEN ON LEGAL PADS AND HOTEL STATIONERY AND COCKTAIL NAPKINS
AND ANYTHING I COULD SCRAPE TOGETHER WITHOUT DRAWING HIS ATTENTION.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
NOTHING LIKE A CIGARETTE GIRL AND 30 HOURS OF SLEEP
TO INVIGORATE A MAN, STUMPY.
YOU LOOK LIKE SHIT, SON. WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?
COME ON, I'VE BEEN WRITING.
OH, YES. WELL, LET'S SEE HOW WE'RE DOING HERE.
YES! GOD DAMN IT, STUMPY.
YES, NOW YOU'RE GETTING IT.
IT'S NONE OF THIS SIGMUND FREUD BULLSHIT.
IT'S BASEBALL, SON. IT'S BASEBALL.
BASEBALL.
YOU UNDERSTAND. PEOPLE ARE NO DAMN GOOD, STUMP.
BUT YOU GET IT.
AND I CAN TRUST YOU.
BY GOD, THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES, STUMPY.
THEY BOO YOU YOUR WHOLE CAREER.
WHEN YOU'RE READY TO DIE, THEY PUT YOU ON A PEDESTAL.
IS THAT FOR THE RECORD?
SURE. I WANT TO BUY IN RIGHT NOW.
NEW SHOOTER COMING OUT.
MONEY PLAYS. GIVE ME HOT DICE FOR A HOT HAND.
ALL RIGHT.
THE POINT IS 5. MARK IT.
PLACE YOUR BETS.
HI THERE, MAGIC HANDS.
STUMPY, WHAT IS THAT?
JOEY, TWO TO PASS, TWO TO COME,
TWO ARE FOR THE HARD WAY.
I'LL BE A SON OF A BITCH.
4! YES, YES, YES!
VERY NICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WHAT'S THAT?
IT'S A 5. 3 AND A 2--5.
MY GIRL GO WITH THAT NIGGER?
THEY'RE JUST STANDING NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
RAMONA, ARE YOU WITH THAT NIGGER?
MONEY PLAYS ON THE 5. FORGET IT.
THAT MAN'S A MONSTER.
I KNOW.
WILLIE, IS SHE WITH YOU?
THIS IS MY MAN, MR. COBB,
AND HE'S ALL MAN.
MY GIRL WITH MY NIGGER.
I'LL BE A GODDAMN SON OF A BITCH!
YOU BETTER DUCK DOWN!
HE'S GOT A GUN!
HA HA HA HA!
GOD DAMN IT! TURN ME LOOSE! TURN ME LOOSE!
LET ME AT HIM, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
DON'T YOU KNOW WHO THE HELL I AM?
* NO GAL MADE HAS GOT A SHADE *
* ON MY SWEET GEORGIA BROWN *
* OOH-OOH, TWO LEFT FEET *
* BUT OH, SO NEAT *
* MY SWEET GEORGIA BROWN **
I TOLD HIM THE TESTIMONIAL DINNER AT THE HALL OF FAME
WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WEEKS AWAY.
THAT GOT HIM OUT OF TOWN
WITHOUT GETTING US THROWN IN JAIL OR GETTING SOMEBODY KILLED.
AS WE HEADED ACROSS COUNTRY,
COBB, AS USUAL, WAS OBLIVIOUS TO THE CHAOS
HE LEFT IN HIS WAKE.
THEN THIS FAT-ASS NAMED BABE RUTH COME INTO THE LEAGUE,
DAMN NEAR DESTROYED BASEBALL.
WE THOUGHT HE'D EAT AND SCREW HIMSELF OUT OF THE LEAGUE,
BUT HE HUNG ON FOR A FEW YEARS.
HUNG ON? COME ON, TY.
THE MAN WAS THE GREATEST BALL PLAYER-- NEXT TO YOU--
OF ALL TIME. HE HIT 714 HOME RUNS.
ANYBODY CAN HIT A HOME RUN.
EXCUSE ME. I HAVE WORK TO DO.
SORRY, TY.
I DIDN'T CARE THAT THEY LOVED, CHEERED, AND ADORED BABE RUTH.
I DID CARE THEY RESPECTED HIS BALL PLAYING.
THEY BUILT YANKEE STADIUM FOR HIM
WITH A 297-FOOT RIGHT FIELD LINE.
MY SISTER FLORENCE COULD HIT THE BALL 297 FEET.
AREN'T YOU GOING TO GIVE RUTH CREDIT FOR ANYTHING?
HE RAN O.K. FOR A FAT MAN.
YOU KNOW SOMETHING, ALIMONY?
I THINK YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND I EVER HAD.
YOU'RE KIDDING.
SWEAR ON A BIBLE. I FEEL I CAN TRUST YOU NOW.
AND HE KEPT TALKING-- THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TY COBB.
BASEBALL IS A RED-BLOODED SPORT FOR RED-BLOODED MEN.
IT'S NO PINK TEA. MOLLYCODDLES, STAY OUT.
IT'S A STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY, A SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
I HAD TO FIGHT ALL MY LIFE TO SURVIVE.
THEY WERE ALL AGAINST ME.
I BEAT THE BASTARDS AND LEFT THEM IN THE DITCH.
THE PROBLEM WITH BASEBALL TODAY
IS THE PLAYERS ARE IN IT FOR THE MONEY
RATHER THAN THE LOVE OF IT.
AT THE AGE OF 22, I SUNK SOME DOUGH
INTO A LITTLE BEVERAGE OUTFIT IN GEORGIA, DASH--
TURNED INTO COCA-COLA. PERIOD.
AT 24, I SUNK SOME DOUGH
INTO A COUPLE OF AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES IN DETROIT, DASH--
TURNED INTO GENERAL MOTORS. PERIOD.
THE MONEY PILED UP LIKE...
BASE HITS.
HA.
HA HA. AND IT'S STILL PILING UP. HA HA.
A BALL PLAYER LOSES A STEP
THE OLDER HE GETS, DASH-- NO, NO--SEMICOLON.
A MAN OF FINANCE GAINS ONE. PERIOD.
DOUBLE-SPACE, NEW PARAGRAPH.
CHAPTER SEVEN WILL BE CALLED,
ME AND NAPOLEON LAJOIE.
HOW YOU DOING, SON?
UH, GREAT, FINE. UH, SEMICOLON'S VERY GOOD.
YEAH.
IT'S VERY GOOD.
GOOD.
NAPOLEON LAJOIE.
DURING THE DAY, WE WORKED ON HIS BOOK.
AT NIGHT, I WORKED ON MINE.
I WAS DRINKING LIKE A FISH, SMOKING TOO MUCH,
AND BY WRITING TWO VERSIONS,
I WAS BECOMING SOMETHING COBB WAS NOT--A LIAR.
FABULOUS STUFF. GODDAMN, STUMPY, JUST BRILLIANT.
YOU'RE A GENIUS, BOY.
WELL, THANK YOU, SIR.
DAMN, I LOVE READING ABOUT ME.
NO!
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
WHAT'S THAT OUT THERE?
[COUPLE ARGUING]
I'M TRYING TO WORK IN HERE,
YOU NOISY SON OF A BITCH!
I'D APPRECIATE A LITTLE GODDAMN PEACE AND QUIET!
TRY THAT ON, YOU NOISY SONS OF BITCHES!
I'M PAYING GOOD MONEY.
THESE NOISY PEOPLE RAISING ALL KINDS OF HELL,
I CAN'T GET ANY WORK DONE.
TAKE CARE OF THIS FOR ME.
IT'S O.K. NO PROBLEM.
IT'S NOT O.K.
IT'S O.K. THOUGHT IT WAS A PROWLER, THAT'S ALL.
O.K., HERE YOU GO.
O.K., NOBODY HURT.
EVERYTHING'S FINE.
WE'RE LEAVING RIGHT AWAY.
COME ON, TY, WE'RE GOING.
SOON I KNEW MORE ABOUT HIS DRUGS THAN HE DID.
AND WHATEVER BIZARRE COCKTAILS OF MORPHINE OR LITHIUM OR INSULIN
I HELPED INJECT INTO HIS BLOODSTREAM FULL OF BOURBON,
SOMEHOW THEY ALWAYS REVIVED HIM.
I GOT YOU. I GOT YOU.
EASY, EASY, EASY, EASY, EASY.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY,
I'D GONE FROM BIOGRAPHER TO STENOGRAPHER TO CHAUFFEUR TO NURSE.
I WAS THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE BASTARD ALIVE,
AND I KEPT HOPING HE'D DIE.
YOU KNOW SOMETHING, STUMPY?
WITH A FRIEND LIKE YOU,
I COULD GO ON FOREVER.
YOU GOING TO SEE SOME GREAT ATHLETES,
GREAT MEN, GREAT WARRIORS AT THIS HALL OF FAME DINNER.
YOU AIN'T GOING TO SEE NO MODERN PANSY-ASS BULLSHIT.
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
YOU FUCKING LIAR. YOU BEEN HOPING I'D DIE FIRST.
YOU'VE GOT ME ALL WRONG.
I GOT YOU RIGHT.
BUT IT'S ALL RIGHT, 'CAUSE I NEED YOUR HELP.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
SEE WHO THAT IS.
MAY I HELP YOU?
COBB HERE?
MAY I ASK WHY?
I'M MICKEY COCHRANE.
COME ON IN.
TY, IT'S MICKEY COCHRANE.
WHERE'S YOUR GODDAMN TUXEDO?
I DON'T HAVE ONE.
SENT YOU THE MONEY FOR IT.
IT DIDN'T ARRIVE.
BULLSHIT! YOU DRANK IT UP.
YOU CAN'T GO TO THE HALL OF FAME LIKE THAT.
THINGS, UH, THINGS HAVE BEEN ROUGH.
DON'T COMPLAIN AND DON'T EXPLAIN.
HERE, YOU JUST GO BUY YOURSELF A TUXEDO.
THE STORES ARE CLOSED.
GOD DAMN IT, MICKEY.
HOW COULD YOU BE SO GOOD BEHIND THE PLATE
AND SO BAD EVERYWHERE ELSE?
DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING IN THIS GODDAMN LEAGUE?
HELLO, OPERATOR.
WHO'S GOT THE BEST MEN'S STORE IN COOPERSTOWN?
GET HIM ON THE TELEPHONE FOR ME AT HIS HOUSE.
HELLO, JACK, THIS IS TY COBB.
YES, SIR. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME.
OPEN YOUR STORE, SELL A TUXEDO TO THE GREAT MICKEY COCHRANE.
WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, GET HIM A CUMMERBUND,
A NEW SHIRT, BOW TIE,
SET OF STUDS, AND A SET OF CUFF LINKS,
AND A BOTTLE OF COLOGNE, 'CAUSE HE STINKS!
I DON'T KNOW, JACK--
IT'S A JOKE. IT'S A JOKE.
WHAT'S THE ADDRESS?
SURE DO THANK YOU.
BY GOD, MICKEY, YOU GOT TO PUT FORTH A BETTER EFFORT.
HERE.
THANKS, TY.
IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE MEETING YOU.
HE'S LOST, STUMP.
FASTBALL TO THE HEAD.
THAT POOR MAN IS LOST.
YOU SUPPORT HIM.
MM-HMM.
AND I HAVE FOR YEARS.
IT'S NOT GOING IN YOUR BOOK, THOUGH.
JEEZ, TY, WHY NOT?
'CAUSE IT'D EMBARRASS HIM.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT GODDAMN CANE.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE YOUR CANE.
I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING IF YOU'LL HELP ME OUT.
IF I WOBBLE, YOU PUT A HAND HERE,
YOU KEEP ME UPRIGHT. I'M GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
I'LL BE THERE.
HOW DO I LOOK?
LIKE THE GREATEST BALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME.
THE GREAT LEFT-HANDED PITCHER
FROM THE NEW YORK GIANTS
WHO STRUCK OUT FIVE MEN IN A ROW
IN THE 1934 ALL-STAR GAME--
CARL HUBBELL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
WELCOME TO "MEAL TICKET."
THE GREAT THIRD BASEMEN FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE--
HAROLD JOSEPH "PIE" TRAYNOR.
MR. DOUBLE "X,"
THE GREAT STAR OF THE PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS--
MR. JIMMIE FOXX.
PAUL AND LLOYD WANER.
AND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE HIGHEST LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE OF ALL TIME,
FIRST MAN ELECTED TO THE HALL OF FAME,
RETIRED WITH OVER 90 BATTING RECORDS,
THE ONE AND ONLY GEORGIA PEACH...
TY COBB!
[CROWD CHEERING]
STUMP.
I GOT YOU.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
HOW DO YOU DO?
ONE MORE SHOT, MR. COBB!
OH, GOOD TO SEE YOU, LLOYD.
SAM CRAWFORD, COBB.
LONG TIME NO SEE.
GOOD TO SEE YOU. YOU DOING ALL RIGHT?
I'M STILL ALIVE. I'M STILL ALIVE.
WE'LL HAVE A HELL OF A PARTY.
BIG PARTIES, PEACH.
HOW YOU DOING? YOU LOOKING GOOD.
I LOOK LIKE HELL, AND YOU KNOW IT.
STUMPY, I WANT YOU TO MEET ROGERS HORNSBY.
NEXT TO ME, THE GREATEST HITTER OF ALL TIME.
HOW DO YOU DO?
NEXT TO ME.
JAM 'EM GOOD, TY.
GIVE 'EM HELL.
NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
ERNIE, LET'S GET THIS SON OF A BITCH ON THE ROAD!
NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, TY.
WELCOME TO COOPERSTOWN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
WE'RE HERE TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE GREATEST BALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME.
BUT THE GREATEST OF ALL IS WITH US TONIGHT.
SIMPLY PUT, THE BEST BALL PLAYER EVER...
TYRUS RAYMOND COBB.
LOOK GREAT, TY.
WE'VE GATHERED FROM THE ARCHIVES
SOME SPECIAL FILM ON MR. COBB.
LIGHTS, PLEASE.
THIS 1916 PORTRAIT SHOWS US TY COBB
IN HIS DETROIT TIGERS UNIFORM.
THE GEORGIA PEACH.
NOTE THE SMUG EXPRESSION
AND THE HAUNTING SET OF EYES.
THESE DISTURBING EYES CAN BE SEEN IN THE EARLIEST PHOTO
EVER TAKEN OF YOUNG TY.
TURN THE CLOCK BACK
TO THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY.
AT THAT TIME, PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL WAS A CASUAL GAME.
BALL PLAYERS WERE OFTEN CLOWNS.
BUT YOUNG TY COBB WOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THAT.
HE TURNED THE GAME INTO WAR,
AND IN THE PROCESS,
INVENTED THE MODERN GAME AS WE KNOW IT.
THE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKING GAME
WAS VIRTUALLY COBB'S INVENTION.
HERE HE'S RUNNING OVER A FIRST SACKER
ON A DRAG BUNT,
A PLAY HE PERFECTED.
HE'D TAKE ON THE WHOLE TEAM, TOO.
JIMMIE, THAT'S THE WAY WE USED TO PLAY BALL.
YOU DON'T FIND THESE CHILDREN PLAYING BALL LIKE THAT TODAY.
HERE WE SEE COBB WITH ONE OF HIS FIVE CHILDREN.
THAT'S SHIRLEY. YOU REMEMBER SHIRLEY?
YES. SHE'S A BIG GIRL NOW.
I LOVED THAT HOUSE, STUMP.
WE GOT TO GO SEE THAT HOUSE.
AND HERE, HE SHOWS HIS SON HIS CURIOUS HANDS-APART GRIP,
THOUGH HE WAS UNABLE TO TEACH HIS FLAMING COMPETITIVE HEART.
HERE A PITCHER MAKES--
STOP IT. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
WHAT? IT'S A GREAT FILM.
LOOK! THERE HE GOES! WATCH THIS!
IT'S GREAT.
...54 TIMES IN HIS CAREER.
NO BASE RUNNER HAS EVER APPROACHED THESE RECORDS.
[FOXX] STEALING HOME THERE.
THE FIRST CELEBRITY ATHLETE IN AMERICAN HISTORY...
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
YOU'RE WITH YOUR GOOD BUDDY BABE.
COBB POSES WITH HIS GREAT ARCHRIVAL,
THE LEGENDARY BABE RUTH.
[HORNSBY] YOU AND THE BABE.
HOWEVER, COBB'S PUBLIC POSTURING AS A FAMILY MAN
WAS JUST THAT--POSTURING.
HERE HE DISCOVERS THAT HIS WIFE
HAS HIDDEN SOME OF HIS PRECIOUS LIQUOR,
AND SHE PAYS THE PRICE.
THE ALLEGATIONS OF WIFE BEATING WERE LEGION.
HER ATTEMPTS TO DIVORCE COBB WERE MET WITH MORE BEATINGS,
UNTIL AFTER YEARS OF BRUTAL MARRIAGE,
SHE WAS GRANTED DIVORCE
DUE TO EXTREME MENTAL CRUELTY.
WITH COBB'S VAST FORTUNES AND INFLUENCE,
HE WAS ABLE TO KEEP
THIS PRIVATE PART OF HIS BRUTAL NATURE COMPLETELY QUIET,
BUILDING INSTEAD A HEROIC PUBLIC IMAGE AS A FIERCE WARRIOR.
GET YOUR ASS UP HERE, YOU HALF-ASSED NIGGER!
IN A FAMOUS INCIDENT IN 1912,
COBB ATTACKED A HECKLER WHO TURNED OUT TO HAVE NO HANDS.
HE WAS BRIEFLY SUSPENDED FOR THE INCIDENT.
IN A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT IN 1926,
COBB AND TRIS SPEAKER WERE ACCUSED OF FIXING GAMES
BY PITCHER DUTCH LEONARD.
IS THAT THE FIX?
CREDENCE TO THESE CHARGES WAS GIVEN BY COBB'S NOTORIOUS FRIENDSHIP
WITH NUMEROUS UNSAVORY GAMBLERS.
AND EVEN THOUGH JUDGE LANDIS
CURIOUSLY ACQUITTED COBB,
QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN ABOUT HIS GUILT.
COBB LATER TOLD FRIENDS
THAT HE HAD ENOUGH DAMAGING INFORMATION
ON OTHER PLAYERS INVOLVED IN FIXES,
THAT LANDIS ACQUITTED COBB IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM QUIET.
COBB AND HIS FRIENDS
WERE WELL KNOWN FOR BOOZE AND SEX PARTIES
THEY HAD IN THE OFF-SEASON,
PARTIES CALLED SMOKERS,
WHICH TOOK PLACE IN VARIOUS HUNTING CABINS THEY FILLED WITH HOOKERS,
MANY OF WHOM WERE HIS GUESTS AT THE BALLPARK.
AND IN ONE OF THE MOST DISTURBING INCIDENTS,
COBB CHASED A MAN HE SAID HAD ACCOSTED HIM
AND PISTOL-WHIPPED HIM TO DEATH,
LEAVING HIM TO DIE IN AN ALLEY.
THOUGH COBB BRAGGED ABOUT THIS AMONG FRIENDS,
THE INCIDENT WAS HUSHED UP AND FORGOTTEN.
THAT SON OF A BITCH TRIED TO ROB ME.
TY, TY, IT'S JUST YOU
IN YOUR PHILADELPHIA UNIFORM.
PLAYING FOR MR. MACK NOW.
NEAR THE END OF HIS CAREER,
COBB JOINED THE PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS.
WHAT DO YOU SEE NOW?
YOU IN YOUR PHILADELPHIA A's UNIFORM.
YOU LOOK GOOD.
IF A MAN CAN'T HIT BETTER THAN THAT, HE SHOULD QUIT.
WHETHER HITTING A HOME RUN, AS SHOWN HERE...
SEE, HE COULD HIT HOME RUNS WITH THE BEST OF THEM.
OR RUNNING THE BASES...
I HIT THEM HOME RUNS WHEN I HAD TO.
TY COBB DOMINATED THE GAME AS NO MAN EVER HAD.
YES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WHAT A BALL PLAYER.
LET'S ALL STAND UP FOR THE PEACH.
YOU'RE THE BEST.
YOU SURE YOU'RE UP FOR THIS?
203. I HUNTED AND FISHED WITH ROGERS HORNSBY
ALL OVER NORTH GEORGIA, LOWER ALABAMA,
EVERYWHERE YOU CAN THINK OF.
I APPRECIATE LOYALTY IN A FRIEND.
ROOM 203. YOU SURE YOU'RE UP FOR THIS?
HELL, I'VE NEVER BEEN READIER IN MY LIFE.
ROGER!
YOU AIN'T COMING IN.
IT'S ME AND STUMP.
YOU AIN'T COMING IN.
WHO'S IN THERE?
ME, MICKEY, AND A COUPLE OF BROADS.
LET ME SEE MICKEY.
MICK, YOU LOOK GOOD IN THAT TUXEDO.
I CAN'T LET YOU IN. THIS IS ROGERS' PARTY.
LET ME COME IN, GOD DAMN IT!
WAIT--WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE!
OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR!
SHUT IT!
LET ME IN THERE!
OPEN UP THE GODDAMN DOOR!
LET'S GO BACK TO THE HOTEL.
TO HELL WITH YOU!
I INVENTED THE GODDAMN GAME OF BASEBALL!
OPEN UP THE DOOR!
YOU SON OF BITCHES!
YOU--AAH!
TY! TY!
YOU SONS OF BITCHES!
I FOUGHT FOR PLAYERS' RIGHTS
WHEN YOU MOTHERFUCKERS WERE CRAWLING AROUND ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES
BEGGING THE MASTER FOR A JOB!
BEGGING MASTER FOR BREAD CRUMBS!
AND YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW.
LET'S GO HOME.
LET ME IN THERE!
A BALL PLAYER CAN MAKE BIG MONEY!
BUT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS ARE TOO STUPID!
YOU'RE ALL TOO STUPID!
OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR!
TY?
TAKE ME BACK TO THE HALL.
YOU SURE?
YOU KNOW WHERE THE HALL IS?
YEAH, SURE.
THIS--THIS WAY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING.
FOR MR. COBB, NO PROBLEM.
STUMPY, WHAT DID YOU SEE ON THAT FILM THERE TONIGHT?
I SAW TY COBB PLAYING BASEBALL.
IS THAT ALL?
THAT ALL?
YOU WERE THE BEST.
SAVE THE ROMANCE FOR THE BOOK, STUMP.
CARRY ME HOME TO GEORGIA.
THE BOOK, LIKE COBB, WAS ALMOST FINISHED.
BUT HE WAS DYING SLOWER THAN I WAS WRITING.
AND LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE,
HE VIEWED IT AS A COMPETITION HE WASN'T GOING TO LOSE.
TO ME, WE WEREN'T RIDING TO GEORGIA IN A LIMO,
WE WERE RIDING IN A HEARSE.
"ONE OF MY FIRST CLEAR-CUT MEMORIES IS OF A BUGGY
"BUMPING ALONG A RED CLAY ROAD
"BETWEEN COMMERCE AND CARNESVILLE, GEORGIA.
"WITH MY LEGS DANGLING OVER THE TAILGATE,
"I WAS BUSY WINDING YARN AROUND A SMALL COAL BALL.
"IT WAS SLOW WORK.
"AND THE NEW KID IN TOWN WHO OWNED A HITTABLE BALL
"COULD OVERCOME SOCIAL OBSTACLES
FASTER THAN THE BOY WHO DIDN'T."
HA HA HA HA.
THAT'S DAMN GOOD, STUMPY.
I PUT THAT IN THERE.
A LONG TIME AGO, STUMP.
ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO CHANGE?
NO, I WOULDN'T CHANGE A WORD.
IT'S THE GREATEST BIOGRAPHY EVER WRITTEN, STUMP.
THE GREATEST.
JAMES, PULL OVER HERE TO THE RIGHT.
LOOK HERE, STUMP.
RIGHT UP HERE, JAMES.
WELL, WE'RE HERE.
FUCKING SIGN NEEDS PAINT.
MY LITTLE GIRL LIVES RIGHT DOWN THIS WAY.
JAMES, GO DOWN THIS STREET.
[STUMP] YOU SURE THIS IS THE STREET?
GO ON DOWN THERE ABOUT A BLOCK, JAMES.
IT'S REALLY HARD.
THESE HOUSES ALL LOOK ALIKE.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW HER?
ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. SHE UNDERSTANDS ME.
IT'S RIGHT THERE.
JAMES, THERE IT IS, RIGHT THERE.
NO. WAIT. DAMN IT.
WAIT.
MAYBE SHE MOVED.
NO, SHE DIDN'T MOVE. IT'S THAT ONE THERE, JAMES.
RIGHT THERE. NUMBER 1-5-0.
OVER HERE ON THE RIGHT.
THERE'S SOMEBODY IN THE WINDOW.
IS THAT HER?
MAYBE SHE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU. JUST WAIT HERE.
YOU CAN GO.
YEAH.
WELL?
UH, NO. NO, IT WASN'T HER.
IT'S, UH, YOUR DAUGHTER MOVED.
THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE-- SHE USED TO LIVE THERE--
YOU COCKSUCKING LIAR. MY OWN DAUGHTER DON'T WANT TO SEE ME,
AND YOU'RE LYING ABOUT IT.
OF COURSE I'M LYING ABOUT IT.
THAT'S WHAT I'M PAID TO DO,
LIE ABOUT THE GREAT TY COBB.
WHY DIDN'T YOU QUIT?
WHO ELSE WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOU?
DON'T GIVE ME THE SOB SISTER ROUTINE, STUMP. JESUS.
I LISTEN TO YOUR BULLSHIT.
I INTERPRET, I FIND WORDS, I GIVE SHAPE,
I GIVE LIFE TO YOUR BULLSHIT,
AND YOU GIVE ME NOTHING.
NOTHING...
BUT GRIEF.
YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS CLOSE TO GREATNESS
IN YOUR SHORT LIFE, SON,
AND YOU LOVE IT.
STOP THE CAR.
STOP THE CAR! NOW!
HA HA HA HA. STOP THE CAR, JAMES.
[STUMP] STOP THE CAR.
YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A 6-YEAR-OLD.
I'LL BE A STRIPED-ASS APE.
STUMP, WHERE YOU GOING?
I'LL BE QUICK.
WAIT HERE, JAMES.
GET BACK IN THE CAR.
JUST--JUST GO ON WITHOUT ME.
GO ON WITHOUT ME. I DON'T NEED YOU.
I'D RUN YOU DOWN IF I WAS 20 YEARS YOUNGER.
COME HERE!
I WISH YOU'D DIE.
I WILL, STUMPY. I WILL.
AND GO TO HELL!
I'LL DO THAT, TOO.
LOOK HOW CONVENIENT YOU'VE MADE IT.
OF COURSE IT WAS YOUR DAUGHTER.
SHE DOESN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU EITHER.
NO, I'LL FORGIVE HER.
YOU'LL FORGIVE HER? THAT'S RICH.
WE ALL OUGHT TO FORGIVE MORE.
YOU'RE TOO DAMN ANGRY.
IS IT THE DIVORCE?
YOU GOT TO LET ALL THAT GO.
I DON'T WANT A DIVORCE!
OF COURSE YOU DO.
YOU'RE SO USED TO ACCOMMODATING OTHER PEOPLE,
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ANYMORE.
I DON'T ACCOMMODATE ANYBODY.
NO, YOU SURE DON'T.
AND YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS.
DO YOU? WHO ARE THEY,
THOSE DRUNKEN HACKS YOU HANG OUT WITH
THINK THEY'RE GOING TO WRITE THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL?
ALL THEY'LL DO IS WRITE LOUSY LEADS
ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES.
WHAT ABOUT THAT LITTLE BRUNETTE IN THE COURTYARD?
IS SHE YOUR FRIEND?
I UNDERSTAND SHE FUCKS EVERYBODY.
SHE MUST BE EVERYBODY'S GODDAMN FRIEND.
HMM?
OH, WOW.
WOW, YOU'RE SOMETHING.
[COBB] I'M GLAD WE'RE HERE.
THEY'RE GOING TO BRING YOU HERE ANYWAY.
AND WHICH GREAT COBB OF GEORGIA WOULD THAT BE?
ME.
COME ON. I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING.
WHEN I DIE,
MY MOTHER AND FATHER WILL BE BROUGHT HERE...
AND IN TIME, MY DEAR SISTER FLORENCE
WILL JOIN US AS WELL.
THE FAMILY WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN.
UNDER ONE ROOF.
YES.
GEE, THAT'S ROMANTIC.
YOU WANT THAT IN THE BOOK?
"TY COBB BRINGS THE FAMILY TOGETHER
TO ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN WHOLE."
IF THEY'LL ALL BE HERE--
I WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT--
YOU'VE GOT YOURSELF, YOUR SISTER,
YOUR GRANDFATHER WHO WAS KILLED AT FREDERICKSBURG,
YOUR FATHER, THEN YOUR MOTHER,
WHO JUST HAPPENED TO KILL YOUR FATHER,
THEN YOUR KIDS--
MY MOTHER DIDN'T KILL MY FATHER.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
MY FATHER TOLD MY MOTHER...
HE WAS LEAVING TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND...
BUT HE CAME BACK TO THE EDGE OF THE WOODS,
WHERE HE TIED UP HIS HORSE.
BECAUSE MY FATHER THOUGHT MY MOTHER
WAS BEING UNFAITHFUL TO HIM,
HE WAS GOING TO CATCH MY MOTHER WITH ANOTHER MAN.
SHE'D BEEN MARRIED 22 YEARS
BY THE TIME SHE WAS 34.
AND THAT'S HOW OLD SHE WAS
THE NIGHT HE CAME BACK.
AND I STOOD BY MY MOTHER
WHEN SHE WAS TRIED FOR MURDER A FEW MONTHS LATER.
I SAID SHE WAS NOBLE
AND TRUE...
AND LOVED MY FATHER COMPLETELY.
THE WHOLE THING WAS AN ACCIDENT.
AND SHE WAS ACQUITTED...
AS SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN,
BECAUSE MY MOTHER DID NOT KILL MY FATHER.
[GUNSHOT]
AAH!
[MOANS]
MY MOTHER'S LOVER
KILLED MY FATHER.
[MOANING]
[WHISPERING]
[GUNSHOT]
THE LAST THING MY FATHER SAW
WAS THE FACE OF THE MAN FUCKING HIS WIFE.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW?
THE ONLY OTHER PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT IT ARE DEAD.
YOU AIN'T GOING TO PUT THAT IN THE BOOK,
'CAUSE YOU'RE THE ONLY FRIEND I HAVE LEFT.
YOU'RE THE ONLY MAN I CAN TRUST.
NO.
I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND.
I DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR YOU.
SO YOUR MOTHER'S LOVER BLEW YOUR FATHER'S HEAD OFF.
I DON'T CARE.
YOU WERE A PRICK BEFORE IT HAPPENED.
YOU WERE A PRICK AFTER IT HAPPENED.
AND YOU ARE A PRICK NOW!
PUBLIC RELATIONS ARE OVERRATED, STUMPY.
WHAT?
YOU NEED A DRINK-- FUCK YOUR DRINK!
YOU'RE TOO DAMN ANGRY.
YOU NEED TO LET ALL THAT GO.
I'M GOING TO TELL THE WORLD THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU, COBB--
THAT YOU HATE WOMEN, HATE JEWS,
HATE NIGGERS.
YOU SHOULDN'T USE THE WORD NIGGER.
IT'S RACIST, DEMEANING.
AND I DON'T HATE WOMEN.
I'M JUST NO GOOD WITH THEM,
LIKE YOU AND EVERY OTHER MAN.
YOU TREAT PEOPLE LIKE DIRT.
THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA...
NEED HEROES, STUMPY.
YOU KNOW THAT.
HERE.
COME ON.
ATTA BOY.
[COBB] ALL RIGHT. THERE WE GO.
SIT RIGHT THERE FOR JUST ONE MINUTE.
YOU'RE AN EDUCATED MAN, STUMPY.
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
EITHER MY FATHER WAS INADEQUATE FOR MY MOTHER...
NOT THE MAN I THOUGHT HE WAS, NOT A GREAT MAN,
NOT EVEN A GOOD MAN...
OR ELSE MY MOTHER WAS TRASH.
A COMMON WHORE.
IT'S THAT SIMPLE, ISN'T IT?
AS A BOY, I STOOD IN COURT NEXT TO THAT WOMAN,
'CAUSE SUDDENLY I WAS THE MAN OF THE HOUSE.
AND AS I STOOD STEADFASTLY AT HER SIDE
AND HEARD THE JURY SAY "NOT GUILTY,"
I KNEW THAT WOMAN HAD BEEN WITH ANOTHER MAN
THE NIGHT OF THAT KILLING.
A MAN MUST DEFEND HIS MOTHER AT ALL TIMES.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT, AL?
AM I A FOOL?
NO.
A MAN MUST DEFEND HIS MOTHER AT ALL TIMES.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
YEAH!
AL STUMP?
IN HERE.
YOU TY COBB?
YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT.
WELL, GOD DAMN!
MR. AL STUMP.
GODDAMN RIGHT.
I BEEN CHASING YOU ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
I'M HERE TO SERVE YOU PAPERS.
WHAT KIND OF PAPERS?
[COBB CHUCKLES]
IT'S THE DIVORCE, STUMPY.
I KNOW THIS ROUTINE.
YOU'RE BEING SUED FOR DIVORCE, SIR.
HA HA!
OH, NO. MY WIFE AND I ARE STILL TALKING.
YEAH, AND WHAT SHE SAID IS "FUCK YOU."
[LAUGHING]
FUCK ME.
FUCK HER.
NO.
FUCK HIM.
HO--
WAIT--WAIT A MINUTE, STUMPY.
FUCK HIM.
LOOK OUT NOW.
NO SUDDEN MOVES.
YOU AIN'T SERVING ME NO PAPERS.
I'M--I'M JUST DOING A JOB.
THAT'S NOT A TOY, AL.
I'M JUST DOING A JO--
I LOVE MY WIFE.
WE ALL DID. THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
SURE. YOU'LL FIND SOMEBODY ELSE.
THERE'S MILLIONS OF WOMEN. NOW, GIVE ME THAT...GUN!
I'M NOT GOING TO ACCOMMODATE THIS MAN, TYRUS.
YOU'RE ALL MIXED UP. LET ME HAVE THAT.
NO. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
I'VE ACCOMMODATED PEOPLE MY WHOLE LIFE,
AND IT STOPS HERE.
YOU KILLED A MAN.
I'LL KILL A MAN.
I'M BEGGING YOU, MISTER.
I GOT A BABY GIRL. PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ME.
DON'T GIVE ME THE SOB SISTER STUFF.
AL, YOU BETTER LET ME HAVE THAT PISTOL.
NO, NO, NO, NO.
NO, NO.
LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO BE DIPLOMATIC.
A MAN'S FRIENDS DON'T CARE WHAT HE SAYS OR DOES.
YOU'RE MY FRIEND, TY.
YOU'RE MY FRIEND. AL, NO.
YOU'RE MY FRIEND, TY.
AL, NO.
SHIT.
YOU WANT A DIVORCE?
HERE'S YOUR GODDAMN DIVORCE.
HE'S CRAZY.
NO WONDER SHE'S DIVORCING HIM.
HE'S CRAZY!
YOU'RE SERVED, PAL!
WHEW!
LORD.
I ALMOST KILLED A MAN.
A LITTLE DRUNKEN EXCESS.
IT'S ALREADY FORGOTTEN.
I SAW NOTHING.
NOTHING HAPPENED.
LIKE HELL IT DIDN'T.
AL, LISTEN TO ME.
IF I WERE WRITING THE BIOGRAPHY
OF THE GREATEST SPORTSWRITER--
I SPEAK, OF COURSE, OF THE GREAT AL STUMP--
WOULD I INCLUDE WHAT HAPPENED HERE TONIGHT?
ATTORNEYS ARE PIGS.
DIVORCE ATTORNEYS ARE LOWER THAN PIGS.
WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT WAS PRIVATE--
AN INTIMACY.
YOUR BUSINESS.
OUR BUSINESS. NOBODY ELSE'S.
IT DOES NOT BELONG IN A BOOK ABOUT GREATNESS.
NOBODY'S GOING TO WRITE MY BIOGRAPHY.
AND WHEN THAT BRUNETTE IN THAT COURTYARD BRUSHED AGAINST YOU,
I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. A WARM SUMMER BREEZE,
THE SMELL OF JASMINE,
BLACK HAIR AGAINST A WHITE BLOUSE.
YOU CAME TO LIFE AGAIN.
YOUR DICK GOT HARD.
YOU SAW THAT GIRL NAKED FOR THE FIRST TIME,
IT'S MORE THAN YOU COULD BEAR.
THAT'S O.K.
THAT BRUNETTE AIN'T GOING IN THE BOOK EITHER.
AND NOW THE BOOZE.
SAY OLD TY COBB HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM.
YOU CAN BOOZE ME UNDER THE TABLE RIGHT NOW.
NO PROBLEM AND NOBODY'S GODDAMN BUSINESS.
O.K. I GET IT.
THAT AIN'T GOING IN OUR BOOK.
I GET IT.
THEN LAY DOWN AND GO TO SLEEP.
YOU LOOK PATHETIC.
COME ON.
LAY DOWN THERE.
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO.
UNH!
SHE'S NOT EVERYBODY'S FRIEND.
YES, SIR.
YOU'RE MY FRIEND, TY.
[COUGHS]
You're my friend.
[COUGHS]
HMM.
YOU DON'T HAVE A POINT OF VIEW, STUMPY.
YOU'RE NOT WORTH KILLING!
[LABORED BREATHING]
[COUGHS]
[GAGGING]
NO, NO, NO, NO.
THIS CAN'T BE.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
STUMPY.
STUMPY!
OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN,
HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE,
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE THAT TRES--
FUCK IT!
[SNIFFS]
SO THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE.
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
THIS IS WHAT IT IS.
YES. WILL YOU GET THE EMORY HOSPITAL FOR ME, PLEASE?
PEACH?
OH, FUCK. WHERE'D HE FALL?
TY?
"DEAR ALIMONY,
"YOU LYING SON OF A BITCH.
"I'M CHECKING MYSELF INTO THE HOSPITAL.
"I THINK THE END IS NEAR.
YOUR PAL, TY."
EXCUSE ME. I'M HERE TO SEE--
[CLATTERING]
[COBB] DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
HIM.
BE CAREFUL...
HE'S GOT A GUN.
YEAH, I KNOW. THANKS.
PLEASE DO THAT.
SIR, PLEASE. HE DOESN'T WANT ANY VISITORS.
SIR!
[KNOCKS]
STUMPY, COME ON IN!
YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE SHIT THEY CALL FOOD.
YOU GET ANY SLEEP?
WELL...
GOOD. GOOD.
I HAD A HELL OF A READ LAST NIGHT.
I NEED TO TAKE SOME MORE BLOOD.
BRING A BUCKET. I'LL COUGH UP A FEW PINTS.
I HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY, SIR.
YOU WON'T HURT ME?
I UNDERSTAND FISHER BODY
WENT TO 7 1/4. BUY ME 1,000 SHARES.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE STUDEBAKER.
NICE PIECE OF ASS.
COME BACK LATER AND CLIMB UP ON THE BIG FELLA?
THAT'S AGAINST REGULATIONS, SIR.
YOU READ THE BOOK?
YEAH. I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST YOU.
I USED TO READ PEOPLE BETTER THAN THAT.
THE BOOK'S THE TRUTH.
THE TRUTH'S A WHORE,
LIKE YOU ARE AND MY MOTHER WAS.
MR. BARTON IS HERE,
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COCA-COLA.
TELL HIM TO GO DOWNSTAIRS AND HAVE A PEPSI.
I NEED TO TAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.
IT'S HIGH. WHAT ELSE YOU WANT TO KNOW?
I HAVE TO.
GO RIGHT AHEAD.
MR. COBB, WE CANNOT ALLOW YOU TO HAVE A GUN IN HERE.
WELL, STEP OVER HERE AND TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME.
COME ON.
WHAT DO WE THINK OF STANDARD OIL?
WE LIKE STANDARD OIL, SIR.
I WANT ME 500 SHARES OF CINCINNATI MILLING, TOO.
RIGHT AWAY, SIR.
MY FIRST SON WAS A DOCTOR.
HACKSAW ARTIST LIKE THIS ONE HERE.
DIED OF A BRAIN TUMOR AT 40.
HADN'T SPOKEN TO ME IN 15 YEARS, 'CAUSE I'M A SHITTY PARENT.
WHY DON'T YOU PUT THAT IN YOUR LITTLE BOOK?
IT'S BAD, ISN'T IT?
I GUESS I DIED A LOT FASTER THAN YOU COULD WRITE, STUMP.
LOOK, I DON'T KNOW
WHICH VERSION OF YOUR LIFE I'M GOING TO PUBLISH.
THERE YOU GO AGAIN, ACCOMMODATING ME WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO!
GET OUT OF MY GODDAMN HOSPITAL ROOM!
RIGHT NOW.
O.K., THAT'S IT. OUT.
[COUGHS]
YOU FOOLED ME, STUMPY.
I DIDN'T THINK ANYBODY COULD,
BUT YOU GOT IT DONE.
AND I THOUGHT WE WERE PALS.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO.
WILL YOU STOP EXPLAINING YOURSELF?
STAND BY YOUR DAMN CONVICTIONS!
YOU BEAT THE GREAT TY COBB!
I RESPECT THAT!
BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO PRINT IT, PRINT IT ALL.
MY SECOND SON WEIGHED 300 POUNDS.
DIED IN THE ARMS OF A WHORE.
MY OTHER SON-- LOST TRACK OF HIM.
MY TWO EX-WIVES WON'T SPEAK TO ME.
NEITHER WILL MY DAUGHTER.
AND TY COBB CAN'T GET IT UP ANYMORE!
PRINT IT ALL!
[JAMESON] IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE, SIR?
I WANT EVERYTHING BACK FROM BETHLEHEM STEEL. NOW.
RIGHT AWAY, SIR.
LOOK, UH...
IT'S VERY CONFUSING.
NO.
IT IS NOT CONFUSING. IT'S SIMPLE.
YOU WON. YOU TELL THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD
THAT THE GREATEST BALL PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED
IS ALSO THE GREATEST BASTARD!
EUREKA!
WHO FUCKING CARES?
I'LL GIVE YOU MY PERMISSION AND MY BLESSING.
FROM HERE ON OUT, THIS IS YOUR STORY.
OH. OH.
I ALMOST FORGOT.
I SLIPPED IN THE OLD OSCAR FERGUS.
WHERE MY MONEY AT?
YOUR MONEY'S RIGHT HERE, PEACH.
RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR GUN.
AL...
THE DESIRE FOR GLORY IS NOT A SIN.
WILL YOU TRY TO REMEMBER THAT?
GET OUT OF HERE.
WHAT ABOUT THE GUN?
DID YOU GET IT?
NO, I DIDN'T.
COME ON. YOU'VE GOT TO--
[GUNSHOTS]
I GAVE A KID A FEW BUCKS TO REPAINT THE SIGN
AND DISAPPEARED FOR A WHILE
TO FINISH THE MANUSCRIPTS...
AND TO WAIT FOR COBB TO DIE.
AND WHILE I WAITED,
ERNEST HEMINGWAY BLEW HIS BRAINS OUT,
GETTY BOUGHT HONOLULU OIL,
COKE CAME OUT IN CANS,
AND THE BRUNETTE IN THE COURTYARD
RAN AWAY WITH A YOUNG LAWYER.
AND ON JULY 17, 1961,
TY COBB DIED QUIETLY IN HIS SLEEP.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS QUIET.
NOTHING HE EVER DID WAS QUIET.
BUT THAT'S WHAT THE NEWSPAPER WRITER SAID WHO WROTE THE LEAD.
AND WE ALL KNOW WRITERS NEVER LIE.
HEY, AUDIE MURPHY.
YOU AREN'T GOING TO COMPARE AUDIE MURPHY
TO WILLIAM HOLDEN?
AL!
HOW YOU DOING?
GOOD TO SEE YOU!
THANKS A LOT.
HOW YOU DOING?
FINE. I GOT TO CONFESS, I MISSED YOU GUYS.
ALAN, HOW'S THE NOVEL COMING?
SHOULD BE FINISHED, RIGHT?
I HAVEN'T STARTED IT YET.
I'VE BEEN KIND OF BUSY.
STUMPY, SO TELL US, WE WANT TO KNOW.
WHAT WAS COBB LIKE?
ARE THE STORIES TRUE?
WAS HE A MONSTER, A GOOD GUY--WHAT?
WHAT KIND OF GUY WAS HE?
THE TRUTH?
YEAH! YEAH!
YEAH. WHAT WAS COBB LIKE?
YOU WANT THE TRUTH?
STUMPY, COME ON! TELL US.
DON'T HOLD OUT.
YEAH. YEAH.
THE TRUTH IS...
A PRINCE AND A GREAT MAN HAS FALLEN.
ABSOLUTELY!
ALL RIGHT!
TYRUS RAYMOND COBB!
YEAH!
TO TY COBB.
TO TY COBB!
A MISUNDERSTOOD GENIUS,
AS GENIUS ALWAYS IS.
HERE'S A GREAT STORY.
GUY COMES UP AND SAYS, "MR. COBB,
WHAT WOULD YOU HIT AGAINST TODAY'S PITCHERS?"
COBB LOOKS AT HIM AND GOES, ".290."
".290? .290?
"YOUR LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE IS .367.
YOU HIT OVER .400..."
I PUBLISHED THE LIE
AND PUT THE TRUTH IN THE CLOSET.
COBB GOES, "BECAUSE I'M 72 FUCKING YEARS OLD, THAT'S WHY."
COBB LEFT MOST OF HIS MONEY TO HIS FAMILY,
WHOM HE HAD LARGELY DESTROYED.
THE REMAINDER WAS USED
TO BEGIN AN EDUCATION TRUST FUND
FOR POOR GEORGIA CHILDREN
AND TO BUILD A HOSPITAL IN HIS HOMETOWN.
IN DEATH AT LAST,
HE WAS REUNITED WITH HIS PARENTS.
THE MAN HAD SOME DEEP, UNEXPRESSED SORROW I COULD NEVER KNOW.
I EMBRACED HIM...
AND I HATED HIM.
BUT I DIDN'T LIE
SO THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA WOULD HAVE HEROES
OR SOME SUCH HOGWASH.
FINALLY, I LIED FOR MYSELF.
I NEEDED HIM TO BE A HERO.
IT IS MY WEAKNESS.
* LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* BEIN' PLAYED EACH DAY *
* LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* EVERYBODY CAN PLAY *
* YES, YOU KNOW JESUS STANDING AT THE HOME PLATE *
* HE'S A-WAITING FOR YOU THERE *
* YOU KNOW LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* BUT YOU'VE GOT TO PLAY IT FAIR *
* THE FIRST BASE IS TEMPTATION *
* YOU KNOW THE SECOND BASE IS SIN *
* THE THIRD BASE TRIBULATION *
* IF YOU PASS, YOU CAN MAKE IT IN *
* OLD MAN SOLOMON IS THE UMPIRE *
* AND SATAN'S PITCHIN' A GAME *
* HE'LL DO HIS BEST TO STRIKE YOU OUT *
* BUT KEEP PLAYIN' JUST THE SAME *
* YOU KNOW DANIEL'S UP TO BAT FIRST *
* YOU KNOW HE PRAYED THREE TIMES A DAY *
* YES, SATAN PITCHED HIM A FASTBALL *
* BUT HE HIT IT ANYWAY *
* YES, YOU KNOW JOB IS UP TO BAT NEXT *
* SATAN STRUCK HIM IN EVERY WAY *
* BUT JOB HIT A HOME RUN *
* AND HE CAME ON IN THAT DAY *
* YES, YOU KNOW PRAYER IS A STRONG BAT *
* TO HIT AT SATAN'S BALL *
* AND WHEN YOU START TO SWING IT *
* YOU GOTTA GIVE IT YOUR ALL AND ALL *
* YES, YOU KNOW FAITH'S GONNA BE YOUR CATCHER *
* AND ON HIM YOU CAN DEPEND *
* FOR JESUS IS STANDING AT THE HOME PLATE *
* AND HE'S WAITING FOR YOU TO COME IN *
* YES, YOU KNOW MOSES IS ON THE SIDELINES *
* WAITIN' TO BE CALLED *
* YOU KNOW THE DAY HE PARTED THE RED SEA *
* HE KNEW CHRIST ALL IN ALL *
* THEN JOHN CAME IN THE NINTH INNING *
* AND THE GAME WAS ALMOST DONE *
* THEN GOD GAVE JOHN A VISION *
* AND HE KNEW HE'D ALREADY WON *
* YES, YOU KNOW LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* BEING PLAYED EACH DAY *
* YOU KNOW LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* EACH AND EVERYBODY CAN PLAY *
* YES, YOU KNOW JESUS IS STANDING AT THE HOME PLATE *
* HE'S WAITIN' FOR YOU THERE *
* OH, YOU KNOW LIFE IS A BALLGAME *
* BUT YOU'VE GOT TO PLAY IT FAIR **
CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.
CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC.
CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT 1995 WARNER BROS. PRODUCTIONS LIMITED AND MONARCHY ENTERPRISES C.V.
[COBB] A BALLBAT IS A WONDROUS WEAPON,
BUT NEVER GRIP IT AT THE END
IF YOU WANT BALANCE AND CONTROL.
LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS.
THE GAME IS A SCIENCE.
BATTING IS A MENTAL ACTIVITY,
A STUDY IN PSYCHOLOGY,
AN OBSERVATION OF LITTLE DETAILS.
EVERY GREAT BATTER WORKS ON THE THEORY
THAT THE PITCHER IS MORE AFRAID OF HIM
THAN HE IS OF THE PITCHER.
THE BATTER OWNS THE PLATE.
THE PITCHER MUST COME TO YOU.
IF JOHN McGRAW WERE A YOUNG MAN,
I WOULD'VE KILLED HIM.
I REGRET I DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE.
I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DOCTOR.
BASEBALL WAS 100% OF MY LIFE.