04x04 - The Strike-Out King

[bunniefuu]

♪ Hello, world, hear
the song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We had a dream
we'd go travelin' together

♪ And spread a little lovin'
then we'd keep movin' on

♪ Somethin' always happens
whenever we're together

♪ We get a happy feelin'
when we're singin' a song

♪ Travelin' along there's
a song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy ♪

I'm gonna mash Danny
into a red-headed pancake.

What good will that do?

It'll make me feel better.

What's the problem?

Yes, why is Keith going to mash
Danny into a red-headed pancake?

He's up in my room.

That's a good enough
reason. Need any help?

That's not a good enough reason.

What's wrong with
Danny being in your room?

He's taking inventory
of all my clothes.

Why would he do that?

Oh, he's decided it would be a good
idea if he and Keith dressed alike.

Oh, Keith. Danny just
wants to be like you.

Well, that's the problem, Mom.

Danny has been hanging
around us wherever we go.

We can't get rid of him.

You'd think he'd rather hang
around with kids his own age.

Honey, I've noticed he's
been acting a lot like that lately,

but I just haven't figured
out what to do about it yet.

You know, Shirley, if Danny
can't relate to kids his own age now,

he's going to have more
trouble when he's older.

I know, Reuben, but how do we go about
finding friends for a boy Danny's age?

You know where I found
friends when I was Danny's age?

Pool hall.

No, not the pool hall.

Sports, that's where.

Hey, that's a great idea. Sure.

What if Danny were to go out for
the school archery team, as a target?

Well, I was thinking more
along the lines of baseball.

Baseball?

That's your answer? Baseball?

Actually, it's a good idea. He
would meet a lot of kids his own age.

It's worth a try.

I'll call Darby
Willis this morning.

Darby Willis?

Who's Darby Willis?

Friend of mine, from college.

He's a great guy. He coaches
the kid's team here in town.

Oh!

Well, I have a feeling it's going to take
a little more than baseball to cure Danny.

How about shock therapy?

How about buzzing off?

Second thought, baseball
isn't such a bad idea.

I'll ask Danny about
it at dinner tonight.

Shirley, I think
I'd better help you.

You know, man's point
of view, that sort of thing.

And a free dinner.

That too, yeah.

Thank you, Reuben.
I could use your help.

Hey, Danny, what are you doing?

I was just about to watch TV.

Ah! What's on?

Captain Venus Versus
the Elephant People.

It's a great Norman Hasker film.

Norman Hasker.

Say, there's a baseball game on
tonight. What do you say we watch that?

I'd love to, except
for one thing.

I hate baseball.

You hate baseball?

Shirley, I'll handle it. I'm
sure he doesn't mean that.

I don't? Of course not.

Nobody hates baseball.

It's America's favorite pastime!

What I mean is, you'd probably
enjoy it more if you were a participant.

You think so, huh? Sure.

Honey, I was just thinking
it might be fun for you

to be around a lot of other
kids your own age and,

well, baseball seemed like
something you might enjoy.

Me? Baseball?

Well, yes. Of course,
it's strictly up to you.

Well, why don't you give
the idea some thought?

Okay, I'll think about it.

Great.

I've thought about it. And?

Forget it.

What do you mean you're
not going out for the team?

Mom gave me a
choice, so I chose.

Well, you're going to re-chose.

That's right. You're going
out for the team anyway.

Mom wants you to
have a normal childhood.

And since that's impossible,

we're going to see to it that you don't
deprive her of a normal motherhood.

So just put on a good
act for a little while.

Why should I listen to you guys?

For one thing, we're
thinking of Mom.

For another, a couple of days
of exercise wouldn't hurt you.

I'm not convinced.

I f you don't, we'll tell Mom
who broke her $ vase.

Now I'm convinced.

Come on, get up!

Danny, I still don't understand
what made you change your mind.

Well, I just figured a kid my
age should be out in the fresh air

with other little guys his age.

Yeah, I knew
you'd see the light.

After all, it is America's
favorite pastime, right?

Right! Baseball and apple pie.

We don't want if
you... There's Darby.

Kincaid, how are you doing?

Darby Willis, this
is Shirley Partridge.

Glad to meet you, Shirl.

And this is Danny.

Hey, welcome to the club, Red.

Danny.

Oh, Dan, the man!
There's fight in him. Yeah!

Shirl, he looks like a winner.

How nice.

The fact is, Darby, Danny has never
played organized baseball before.

Right, so I don't expect
to make the team.

Yeah, well, some
have it, some don't.

Why don't we try you
out on the mound, huh?

Bet you want to
be a pitcher, huh?

Sounds like fun.

Why don't you get out to the mound?
I'll be along before you can say batter up.

There you go.

I'll tell you something, Shirl.

If he's the winning kind, I'll have him
whipped into a champion in no time.

Reuben, I'm not sure I want
Danny whipped into a champion.

Oh, come on, Shirley,
it's a figure of speech.

And Darby's been
working with kids for years.

He has a reputation of
producing winning teams.

Danny doesn't seem to
be too excited about it.

Well, maybe he'll enjoy it
once he gets to know the kids.

Yeah, sure.

Here you go, Red, let's
see what you can do.

Might as well get it over with.

Strike!

Dan the man, huh?

You might just be my
next little strikeout king.

But I don't want to be
his little strikeout king.

All right, Danny.

Then why did you strike out
all his little home-run hitters?

How was I to know that
throwing mud balls at Punky Lazar

was getting me ready
for the big league?

Look, there's no problem. All
you have to do is hang in there

for a couple of more days
and then tell Mom the truth.

You tried it and
it's not for you.

Right, then you can go
back to being abnormal.

Okay, but you guys
got me into this.

The least you can
do is help me out.

All right, when the time comes
we'll talk to Mom for you, okay?

Okay, but you better hurry up.

Coach Willis has already picked
me to play in tomorrow's game.

So what?

So, pretty soon my face will
be on all the bubble gum cards.

Then it'll be too late.

Look, keep it low.
Okay, all the way home!

Good man. Here we go, heads up.

Get at him!

He doesn't look
too enthusiastic.

He's probably just thinking about the game,
you know, trying to psyche himself up.

I suppose so. Anyway, he's
made a lot of new friends.

Hey, let's play ball!

Okay, men, let's bring it in
here. Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

Okay, let's go!
Come on! On the spot!

Okay, men, we all
know what we got to do.

The Giants are a tough team, but
we got to be tougher, right, men?

Right!

I don't think I heard you. Are we
going to be tougher than the Giants?

Right!

Now don't forget, when
the going gets tough

that's when the tough
get going, all right?

Right!

You tell them, Coach.

All that's missing
is the Gipper.

Okay now, who's going
to win this game for us?

Right!

We give up, Coach. Who?

Dan the man, that's who's
going to win this game for us.

Right?

Right! I am?

He is?

Okay, now let's get to that field and
get those Giants. Let's go, let's go!

Okay, Red, here you go.
Get out there and smash them.

Right.

Hey, Zack. Yeah.

Who's Partridge?

Beats me, Marv.

Probably some flash in a pan.

He happens to be my son.

Yeah? Terrific!

So tell me, how's his fast ball?

I wouldn't know.

Hey, Zack. Yeah.

Bet you five bucks, he'll
knock the kid out of the box.

You're on, Marv.

Strike him out!

Attaboy, Partridge!

That's okay, lady.

It's worth five bucks to see The Dodgers
come up with a good pitcher for a change.

The kid that pitched
last week was a bum.

Just a moment.

I think it's totally disgusting to
hear you betting on my son to lose,

but it's even more disgusting to hear you
call some child you don't even know, a bum.

Hey, of course I
know him, he's my son.

He's right, lady. His
kid's got a lousy fast ball.

Strike three, out!

I can't believe those people.

Shirley just sat beside
the wrong parents.

Reuben, we moved four times, and
each time we sat beside the wrong parents.

They acted like their
kids had to have a good

batting average or
be cut out of the family.

I'm sorry Danny ever
got involved in this.

Mom, I think there's
something we should tell you.

Danny's just doing this for you.

For me?

We thought that's
what you wanted.

Well, of course, but
only if he wanted it, too.

Well, we thought,
once he started playing

he'd learn to like it, you know.

I guess we were wrong.

Well, it's no problem. When he gets home,
just tell him I won't mind if he quits.

Did you see what happened?

I won my first game.

We're very proud of you.

But Keith and Laurie have
just told me why you did it.

And I want you to know
that you can stop playing.

As a matter of fact, I'll understand
if you quit the team right now.

Quit the team? I
can't quit the team.

We have a chance to go all the way to
the Pennant, and after that, the Series.

The Dodgers are on
their way to a dynasty.

Besides, Coach Willis
is depending on me.

I'm his little strikeout king.

Sorry. Sorry I'm late.

We were just about to
do a song you might like.

A song for me?

Yeah, you've been a
real inspiration lately.

It's about my favorite
baseball player.

Willie Mays.

♪ Say, hey, Willie Will
you hit one out here?

♪ We'll give you
a cheer if you do

♪ We love you

♪ Say, hey, Willie
We'd all wait for a year

♪ To get one more
good look at you

♪ Believe me

♪ He'll climb a wall
that's feet high

♪ He'll say hello
before he flies

♪ And grab the
long drive in his hand

♪ As he does stands
from the grandstand

♪ He throws a strike and now's
the pitch through them hands

♪ The crowd roars

♪ Say, hey, Willie
Will you hit one out here

♪ We'll give you
a cheer if you do

♪ We love you

♪ Say, hey, Willie
We'd all wait for a year

♪ To get one more
good look at you

♪ Amaze them

♪ Before your
playing days are done

♪ Remember you're the
only one can make us cheer

♪ The way we do ♪
Remember Say, hey, Willie

♪ What do you say, Willie?

♪ When you hear us say

♪ William Mays, we love

♪ Say, hey, Willie

♪ What do you say Willie

♪ When you hear us say

♪ William Mays We love you ♪

That was wonderful, Ricky.

Thanks.

Willie Mays, he is a great one.

Did you know he became
the th major leaguer

to record , hits
on July , ?

No kidding.

It was in the game between San
Francisco and The Montreal Expos.

Of course when you're talking about
power hitters, there's no one like Mantle.

He once hit a home run feet.

I bet you don't know who holds the world's
record for home runs in a double header.

Stan Musial, .

Mrs. Partridge, how
come Danny's so boring?

I think we better
get back to practice.

Practice! Mom, I
forgot to mention it.

The team has a special
practice this morning. I got to go.

Well? Well, what?

When are you going to put
a stop to the headache kid?

Laurie, I can't
tell him to quit.

He's been making a lot of new
friends and he seems to be enjoying it.

The best I can do is to encourage
him not to take it so seriously.

Good. We'll help you.

And if encouragement doesn't
work, we can always b*at him up.

I'm only kidding, Mom. I
can't punch that low anyway.

I know. I'm buzzing.

Well, we're going to b*at them.
You know why? You know why?

Because we've got spirit.

We've got hustle. We've
got Dan, the man, Partridge.

And to win the Pennant, we are
going to have to b*at The Astros

and they are the toughest
team in the league.

And if we don't b*at them,
all our hard work will be in vain.

Yes siree, men. Tomorrow,
it is the Pennant or nothing.

And who are we depending on?

Dan, the man!

Here he comes.

Danny, there's something we
would like to talk with you about.

Maybe later, like, next month.

All we've heard lately is baseball
and it's getting to be a little ridiculous.

You're absolutely right.

What?

It's just a game,
it's not important.

I don't believe it.

What's going on?

Danny doesn't like
baseball anymore.

What caused that?

Oh, a sudden wave
of maturity, I guess.

You're not even excited
about the big game tomorrow?

That's another thing.
My arm, it's kind of sore.

I don't think I'll be
able to play tomorrow.

You must be disappointed?

Yeah, but that's how it goes in
the world of baseball, I guess.

A hero one day, a bum the next.

Thanks, Chris, I
really needed that.

What happened to him?

I don't know, but
I'm going to find out.

He can't play?

It's his arm. You know, one
of those mysterious injuries

that has ruined many
a great sports career.

But he's got to play.

Oh?

Why does he have to play?

The Pennant. It's our big
sh*t at the championship.

I've never won a pennant.

Mr. Willis, I think
that's the problem.

You're the one that's
trying to win the pennant.

No, no, no, it's not just me.

Think of the kids' parents. What
will they say if we blow it this year?

Is that so important?

You know, I don't follow you.

Mr. Willis, baseball
is supposed to be fun.

I mean, when you're winning,
it's more fun, but it isn't everything.

It seems to me, if you cared
half as much about those kids,

as you do about winning
the Pennant and the parents,

the kids would
be a lot better off.

You think the kids
aren't enjoying it?

I just think the pressure is
too much for them to handle.

I mean, it's fine when they're
winning, but what about when they lose?

I think it's important
to know how to lose...

And still enjoy the game.

So from now on we play our best.

If we win the Pennant, okay. If we
don't win the Pennant, that's still okay.

So I want you to get out
there and put it to those Astros.

Get in on those ground
balls, stand on your toes and...

But the most important
thing is, you kids have fun.

I mean, whether we win or not, I'll
still feel the same way about you guys.

And I think that goes
for your folks, too.

Well, what are we waiting for? Let's
get out there and play ball. Let's go!

Danny, how's your
arm? Still pretty sore?

I don't know how to explain
it, Coach, it must be a miracle.

I'm healed.

Is that so?

I guess I'll be
able to pitch today.

Well, then I want you to get out there
with the team and I want you to b*at the...

Do your best.

Mrs. Partridge.

I want to thank you for that
coaching tip you gave me yesterday.

I'm glad it did some good.

Shirley, what did he
mean by coaching tip?

I didn't know you knew
anything about baseball.

Reuben, when I was a girl, boys
used to strike out with me all the time.

And it's my pleasure to
present the first place trophy

to the coach of The
Dodgers, Mr. Darby Willis.

Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Shirl.

I just want to say that this
award really belongs to you guys

who played your hearts out.

You guys have proved that when
the going gets tough, the tough get...

You guys have proved that you
can have fun and still win a little.

I mean, win a lot.

Oh, boy! I mean...

Winning isn't everything but it's a heck of
a lot better than what's in second place.

What I really mean to say is,
ladies and gentleman and Dodgers,

the Partridge family.

♪ Woke up feeling
down this morning

♪ The blues walked
in without a warning

♪ Wished I could have
stayed in bed all day

♪ And all at once
I thought about you

♪ Knew I couldn't
live without you

♪ Knew I had to
tell you right away

♪ I wanna be with you
♪ I wanna be with you

♪ All I want to
do is to be with you

♪ I wanna be with you
My whole life through

♪ All I want to
do is to be with you

♪ You don't really
have to wonder

♪ Why there's a cloud
I've been living under

♪ I'm just afraid
of losin' what I found

♪ When you meet somebody special

♪ You don't want
to have to settle

♪ For someone who
just happens to be around

♪ I wanna be with you
♪ I wanna be with you

♪ All I wanna do is
to be with you Yes, I do

♪ I wanna be with you
My whole life through

♪ All I want to
do is to be with you

♪ I looked at you and
something happened

♪ And it was more
than I'd imagined

♪ You got a hold of
me You got through to me

♪ I love everything
that you do to me

♪ I don't think
that I could stand it

♪ If you decided
to leave me stranded

♪ You got the love
of me and the life of me

♪ And being away from
you is driving me crazy

♪ I wanna be with you
♪ I wanna be with you

♪ All I want to do is
to be with you Yes, I do

♪ I wanna be with you
My whole life through

♪ All I want to
do is to be with you

♪ I wanna be with you
My whole life through

♪ All I want to do
is to be with you ♪

What does everybody
want to watch?

What's on?

Either Newsfront, or Tiger
Woman Conquers the World.

Boy! Sunday afternoon television
isn't what it used to be, is it?

No, it's better.

Hey, there's filmed highlights
of last year's Super Bowl on.

I'd rather watch Tiger Woman.

You know, I may go out
for the football team this fall.

Too dangerous.

Oh, Mom, football
isn't dangerous.

No, but I have a feeling, if
you go out for the football team,

your brothers and sisters will
b*at you into a red-headed pancake.

She's right, you know.

Tiger Woman, it is.