16x07 - Baseball Blues/Brain's Biggest Blunder

[bunniefuu]

♪ Every day when you're
walking down the street ♪

♪ Everybody that you meet
has an original point of view ♪

(laughing)

♪ And I say hey ♪

Hey!

♪ What a wonderful
kind of day ♪

♪ If we could learn
to work and play ♪

♪ And get along
with each other ♪

♪ You've got to listen to your
heart, listen to the b*at ♪

♪ Listen to the rhythm,
the rhythm of the street ♪

♪ Open up your eyes,
open up your ears ♪

♪ Get together
and make things better ♪

♪ By working together ♪

♪ It's a simple message,
and it comes from the heart ♪

♪ Believe in yourself,
for that's the place to start ♪

♪ And I say hey ♪

Hey!

♪ What a wonderful
kind of day ♪

♪ If we could learn
to work and play ♪

♪ And get along
with each other ♪

Hey!

♪ What a wonderful
kind of day ♪

Hey!

♪ What a wonderful
kind of day ♪

Hey!

Hey, DW!

Hey!

Whoa...

And now, stepping up
to the plate

with the bases loaded
is rookie George Lundgren.

Lundgren is making
his big league debut

facing the most damaging arm
in pitching history:

Walter "Big Train" Johnson.

The train has left
the station!

Deep, deep, deep
into left field!

Back! Way back!

We're talkin' feet!

We're talkin' time zones!

And a massive grand slam
in his first career at bat!

Around the bases
and around the world

with George "Lucky Lundy"
Lundgren.

(crowd cheering)

So, Lucky Lundy,
how are you feeling

about your first day
of little league practice?

Well, Wally, last year, I missed
the age cut-off by two weeks,

so I've been waiting
for this day a long time.

I'm bringing my "A" game,

but I'll be taking my cues
from the coach

and the rest of the team.

Modest words
from a sports legend.

Now, back to the drawer
for the sock report.

GEORGE:
And do you know
which World Series was lost

because of a single strike?

.

There was no World Series

because the players
were on strike.

(laughing):
Trick question!

ARTHUR:
Wow, George.

I didn't know you knew
so much about baseball.

It's always been
a hobby of mine.

Francine, can you hit a few
out to George and Arthur?

Actually, I'm having a little
trouble with my swing.

Looks like your stance
is a little stiff.

Have you tried shifting
your weight?

What do you mean?

Shift from your back foot
to your front while you swing.

Good advice.

Where'd you pick that up?

A website about
all-time power hitters.

Ruth, Mantle, Williams...

They compare old style weight
shift versus new style...

(bat cracks)

That's Frensky style!

Hey, George, any advice
for a non-power hitter like me?

How can I hit
the strike zone every time?

I'm interested
in your thoughts

on the physics
of the knuckleball.

We've got a few weeks
before our first game.

Let's give George some time
to get his own practice in.

George, welcome to the team.

WALLY:
Practice, day two.

The Grebelings' spring training
shows a promising season ahead.

On the other hand,
it's a good thing for Lundgren

there are three more weeks
of practice.

With opening day a week away,

it looks like Lundgren might
have discovered his position.

Oof!

WALLY:
Horizontal.

But sometimes it takes until
the last day of spring training

for a player
to find his strengths...

(grunts)

...and sometimes even longer
to find his bat.

So after a disastrous
pre-season performance,

what are you thinking about

heading into tomorrow's
opening game?

I'm thinking I've been holding
this ball for five minutes

and I only dropped it once.

See?

You are getting better.

No, I'm not.

If anything, I think
I've gotten worse.

Most of us weren't any good,
even after a lot of practices.

Most of us still
aren't any good.

We're just a little less
not-good.

(sighs)

I hope you're right.

Can I borrow this book

about the craziest plays
in baseball history?

Sure.

Take anything you want.

I don't want to look
at them anymore.

MR. LUNDGREN:
I made it just for you.

It's called
the Lundgren Slugger.

Wow, it's beautiful!

Stepping up to the plate,

George Lundgren,
the Sultan of Swat!

Here's the windup,
the pitch...

Hey, rookie!

Ready for your
first at-bat?

Uh... no.

Just remember
to shift your weight.

Works for me every time.

Come on, George,
you can do it!

George! George! George!

George! George!

Stepping up to the plate,

George Lundgren,
the Sultan of Sweat.

(groaning)

You're out!

Sorry.

(bat cracks)

(crowd cheering)

(gasps)

(laughs)

(cheering)

Yay...

You're out!

(bat cracks)

(crowd cheering)

Yes!

Yes!
(cheering)

(cheering)

OLIVER:
I want to congratulate you all
on an amazing season so far.

And if we win tomorrow's game,
we're in the playoffs.

Now, before we get
to the ice cream,

my friend Harry Mills
from the Elwood City Times

has something to ask you.

If it's okay with you,

I'd like to come
to the game tomorrow

and do a story
about the Grebelings.

Whoa!

In the paper!

(kids talking excitedly)

Isn't that amazing?

They're doing a story
just on us!

Yep.

Harry, you have
to meet George.

He knows more about baseball
than anyone.

Then maybe he'd like to join us
for the Grebes game tonight.

I happen to have
three extra tickets.

All right!

All right!
Go Grebes!

Go Grebes!

Um, thanks Mr. Mills,
but I...

I'm busy.

Maybe another time.

You know, for a kid
who's a big fan,

he doesn't seem
that enthusiastic.

(snoring)

WALLY:
Big Train looks like he's
working up a lot of steam.

It's too heavy!

(George screaming)

(pins knocking)

WALLY:
Strike!

(gasps)

Hey, George,
what are you doing here?

I came to give this
to Francine.

Aren't you coming
to the game today?

I've decided to quit the team.

Why?

Because I'm no good.

And I really used
to like baseball.

Now it just makes me
feel rotten.

I know it's frustrating.

But think it over.

Maybe come to the game today
and just sit it out.

No pressure.

Okay.

But I still think Francine
should use the Lundgren Slugger.

I'm afraid she won't
be using it today.

(loud sneezing)

(gasps)

You're sick?

I'll get you
some soup, sweetie.

Can you call me and tell me
what's happening?

But I don't have
a cell phone.

You can use mine.

And you might as well bring
the Lundgren Slugger along,

in case we need
an extra bat.

(cheering)

You're out!

This seat taken?

I'm not going to talk baseball.

Oh, it's okay.

I just...

You don't have to explain.

I had a miserable first year
of little league, too.

Anyway, I'll let you
make your call.

It's Francine.

She's home sick and...

Yeah, tough break
for the team.

(dialing)

Hi, Francine.

We just finished
the first inning.

It started off with Binky
throwing some wild pitches.

But then the Mountaineers
got swing-happy

and Binky struck out
three in a row.

Bottom first, Arthur singled
through the hole.

Muffy hit into a double play,
and Buster struck out.

I'll call you back when the...

(bat cracks)

Whoa!

One of the Mountaineers just hit
a m*ssile way out to center.

Carl is waving Arthur off.

Looks like he's under it.

Oh no!

Lost it in the sun!

Mountaineer rounding first.

Arthur scoops it up
on one bounce.

He sets, throws to second.

It's high...

Reaches.

Grabs it.

Makes the tag!

Mountaineer out at second!

Yes!

I'm here with Harry Mills.

Harry, you think
the Grebelings

might be feeling
a little momentum?

Well, George,
they're relieved,

but it's a little early
to get too confident.

Harry, I have to agree.

With the leading run on third
and the Mountaineers pitching,

the windup, the pitch...

A sinker, but Read
gets under it and bam!

It's a hard drive past first.

Brain is heading home.

Right fielder scoops it,
fires to first.

Read is...

out on a sac single.

Whoo!

And the Grebelings take the lead
in the bottom of the sixth.

(beeping)

Oh, no!

The phone battery's going.

Francine, I'll call you
right back.

Quick, who's got a phone?

And with two outs
in the bottom of the ninth,

Barnes on first,

it comes down
to Buster Baxter.

It's do or die.

The windup...

The pitch...

(bat cracks)

He hit it!

Hard to left field!

Run, Buster, run!

Baxter's first hit
of the season,

a b*mb over the head
of the left fielder!

Binky is hustling to second
as Baxter reaches first.

Centerfield grass
seems to have eaten the ball.

BUSTER:
Binky!

GEORGE:
And we seem to have
a bit of a traffic jam.

Move, move!

Center fielder
has recovered the ball.

He launches it in.

Binky passing third,
the park is erupting.

The pitcher cuts it off,
throws home,

bounces in front
of the catcher!

He can't get his hands
on the ball.

Catcher has control,
set to tag...

BINKY (panting):
Get out of my way!

GEORGE:
The catcher has rolled himself
into a ball!

Harry, in all
your years...

Never seen anything like that.

And the Grebelings

literally stampede
their way to the playoffs!

They have pulled it out

with their ace hitter Frensky
on the DL.

Francine, we did it.

The Grebelings win.

ALL:
The Grebelings win!

Looks like your friend

might have a career
in baseball after all.

GEORGE (on speakers):
We have perfect weather for the
first game of the playoffs.

George Lundgren here

with the Grebelings' star
powerhouse Francine Frensky,

fresh off the DL.

Francine, how does
it feel to be back?

Great, George.

I'm feeling better and looking
forward to playing some ball.

In fact, I think I'll
head out there right now.

You don't know how much
I've missed it!

Me too.

(bat cracks)

And that one is outta there!

And now...

KIDS:
Whoa!

Today we're showing all
of our talents and interests.

Here are some of my cookies.

I can speak Arabic.

Here are some words that I know.

Hi-- Marhaba.

Yes-- Na'am.

This is my picture
of a pizza man.

This is my picture
of a robot.

My second grade is good
at a lot of things.

This is part of our school song.

♪ There's a school
upon a hill ♪

♪ That is a very
special place... ♪

There's a lot
of different things

that can be an interest
or a talent.

(playing keyboard)

I like to draw.

Nate drew a lot
of cool stuff on this.

It's pretty cool how you can do
a braid in your hair.

Well, I did this one.

My mom started it off.

I love local history.

John Greenleaf Whittier
is a poet,

and he's from this town
of Haverhill.

I love my pet dog.

His name is Freddy.

This is Freddy in glasses.

He loves to jump
and play with me.

My name is Elena,
and I play soccer.

I have eight girls on my team.

They are really good
soccer players.

This is my hockey stick.

I like hockey because
my pa teaches me.

I like building
because you can build stuff

that's in your imagination.

I like baking because
you can cr*ck eggs.

Today, I baked brownies.

This is my fishing rod.

This is my fishing toolbox.

This is my net.

We like to play basketball.

Hey, Joey, get your fishing net.

Okay.

(cheering)

I like softball,
and I'm number four.

This is my glove.

(cheering)

The second grade is so amazing.

And now...

Contrary to popular belief,

I don't take getting "A's"
for granted.

My mom puts them
on the refrigerator,

just like other kids.

And just like other kids,

all the refrigerators are kept
in my secret warehouse,

where they are
hermetically sealed

and stored
in chronological order.

So as you can see,

just because I never make
a mistake doesn't mean...

(roaring)

Hey!

Nothing to see
behind that sheet.

No!

Please don't look!

It's my only failure!

MR. RATBURN:
I'll repeat the question:

Obadiah makes
pairs of shoes.

He makes three kinds of shoes--

clogs, sandals and pumps--
in equal quantity.

How many pairs of clogs
will he make?

Can Obadiah make sneakers?

That is irrelevant.

Now concentrate.

(tapping)

Well?

Octopus!

I mean...

?

(sighs)

Brain.

Eight.

That is correct.

Buster, you may want
to review division

before the upcoming
Arithmattack competition.

Or as I like to call it,

the "Brain Wins Again"
competition.

This year, we'll be doing
something a little different.

Instead of competing
individually, you will be

in randomly
assigned teams.

And the first team is

Brain, Binky

and Buster.

(gasps)

So are you nervous?

It's going to be tough
being on Brain's team.

He could lose this year.

Brain doesn't care
about a silly math award.

PRUNELLA:
You may have beaten me
twice before,

but this year you're facing The
Wizardly Order of the th Grade.

Prepare to be divided
and conquered.

BRAIN:
Over my dead
calculator!

Brain's Binomials are going to
turn your team into a null set.

Hi, guys.

Buster, why are you
buttering your hand?

Huh?

Oh.

(chuckles nervously)

(licking loudly)

That Prunella thinks she's got
this contest in the bag.

Well, we'll just see
about that.

We will?

I don't know if you've
noticed this, Brain,

but I'm terrible at math.

Don't worry.

I'll tutor you
after school.

Okay!

Thanks, Brain.

I think what gives me
the most trouble is...

There are lots
of study techniques

I've been dying to try out.

Like the number cruncher.

It's a new fusion
of sit-ups and arithmetic.

(gulps)

BRAIN:
Okay, Buster,
first off,

drink this algae
and fish oil smoothie.

It's brain food.

Since this is our first
study session together,

I thought we'd go easy:
just five hours.

(sputtering)

Five hours?

Don't worry, we'll study
in short bursts

and you'll get a bathroom break

at hour four.

You might want to slow down
with that smoothie.

Now, which do you have
the most trouble with:

word problems, graphs
or sequencing?

Yes.

I see we'll need to start
at the beginning.

Good.

Because what really gives me
the most trouble is...

(loud bang)

The History of Math
from A-squared to infinity!

It's pretty riveting.

Did you know
the Babylonians

may have used
the Pythagorean Theorem

thousands of years
before the Greeks?

You want me to study
for a math contest

by reading a history book?

(laughs)

Of course not.

I also want you to do
other exercises.

Let's get cracking!

(ticking)

(grunting)

Nice study session,
Buster.

But tomorrow I'm not going
to take it so easy on you.

(groans)

Pi is . ...

There's a mathematician

somewhere in that boy.

And I'm going to find it.

The Lifetime Achievement Award
for Mathematics goes to...

Brain!

(applause)

Thank you, professor.

But all my awards
mean nothing

compared to my greatest
accomplishment:

my pupil, Buster Baxter.

Behold as he takes on
RoboCount,

the world's most
sophisticated supercomputer.

Calculate the circumference
of the universe.

(beeping)

Done!

He's correct!

(applause)

(angry beeping)

(expl*si*n)

(laughing)

Oh, Brain, you're
a pedagogical genius.

PRUNELLA:
The answer is...

Five and a third?

(bell rings)

That is correct.

The Wizardly Order
of the th Grade wins

and makes it through
to the finals on Monday.

Boo-yah!

Let's bring out
our next two teams:

Brain's Binomials

and Steve's Square Roots.

Uh, ?

I'm sorry,
but that is incorrect.

(crowd sighs)

The next question
goes to...

Buster.

Buster.
Huh?

Huh?

(gulps)

Just remember
what we worked on.

Joey gets his allowance
every day.

On Monday,
he gets two cents.

On Tuesday...

(echoed voice):
Blah, blah, blah...

(popping)

(buzzing)

Ahh!

Buster?

Are you all right?

Yes, fine.

The answer is...

. !

I'm sorry,
that is incorrect.

(crowd groans)

(sighs)

Brain's Binomials
are not disqualified yet.

They still have a chance if
Binky gets the next one right.

Binky, are you ready?

Huh?

Me already?

Hold this.

What is the square root of ?

Seven.

That is correct.

(applause)

Brain's Binomials
win the round

and will face The Wizardly Order
in the finals on Monday.

You did it!

That was amazing.

Oh, here...

Keep it.

(gasps)

You're going to lose so bad,

you won't know your prime
numbers from your integers.

Oh, yeah?

I hope you're good
at adding negative numbers,

because that's what
your score's going to be.

Have you seen Buster?

Um, I think he had
a dentist appointment.

Can I have
some salt, please?

Buster, what are you doing
under the table?

Oh!

I, uh, misplaced my lunch.

Here it is!

Sneaky lasagna.

You don't have
to hide from me.

I'm not upset you got
the question wrong.

You're not?

No.

It's my fault;

I haven't been
pushing you hard enough.

If you push me any harder,
my head will explode.

Here, we're going to try some
mistake-aversion therapy.

Every time you get
a question wrong,

I dump a glass of water
on your head.

You're missing the point.

What really
gives me trouble is...

What's divided by four?

I don't know.

Twelve?

(sputtering)

You may be the two-time
Arithmattack champion,

but you're a terrible tutor.

Thank you, professor.

But all my awards mean nothing

compared to my greatest
accomplishment:

my pupil, Buster Baxter.

(roaring)

All right, Buster,
I'd like you to calculate...

Calculate?

Buster no calculate!

Buster no like numbers.

Numbers bad.

(roaring)

(loud banging)

(audience screaming)

(gasps)

(doorbell rings)

(gasps)

Binky?

We're going for a walk.

(gulps)

Mom, tell Arthur he can have my
Dark Bunny remote control buggy.

Do you know why
I brought you here?

Do I want to know?

Last year, I had a lot
of trouble with math, too.

Sometimes I'd be
in such a daze,

I'd bang my head
on this jungle gym.

Huh.

I always wondered
how that got there.

Brain's tutoring hasn't worked
out for you so far, has it?

He's tried his best,
but he just doesn't understand

that what really gives me
trouble is...

Your multiplication tables.

How did you know?

Because I've been there.

Want to know how I finally
figured them out?

One day, I was at home
watching TV...

It was ballet.

An Italian troupe called
"I Piedi Grandi."

They weren't very good.

But there was nothing else on,

so I continued watching
and I started counting them,

and that's when it hit me.

There were two rows of them,
and four dancers in each row.

So two times four was eight.

So now, instead of thinking
of numbers

when Mr. Ratburn
gives me a problem,

I imagine little dancers.

But I'm not into dance.

The only dance I know
is the Hokey-Pokey.

You've got to find out
what works for you, Buster.

I like cake.

Okay, it's a little strange,
but we can work with it.

Let's say you have three cakes
and they all have three layers.

I want you
to imagine them.

I can see them right
in front of me.

Look at all those layers.

The score is tied.

This year's Arithmattack Award

will be decided
by this final question.

And the question goes to...

Buster Baxter.

Don't worry.

I tutored him
real good.

Okay, Buster.

This one is
a multiplication question.

What is times three?

Ah!

Is it... ?

That is correct!

(loud applause)

BRAIN:
How could Binky have been
a better tutor than me?

Math is one
of my best subjects.

I needed someone
who struggled,

like me.

But if you want,
I can teach you

how to be a better tutor.

Really?

Sure.

There's some new techniques
I've been dying to try out,

like the Tutor-Rooter.

First, we scrub your ears
with vinegar.

Then you clean my room...

To watch more Arthur

and play games with all
the Elwood City friends,

visit pbskids.org.

You can find Arthur books
and lots of other books, too,

at your local library.