Stratton Story, The (1949)

[bunniefuu]

That a boy!

Come on, monty!

Come on, now, monty!

Strike one!

Come on, monty!

Fire away!

Strike two!

Fire away, monty!

Strike three!

You're out!

Great game, monty.

Thank you, mr. Higgins.

That's it for this year.

See you next season?

Sure, I'll be there. So long.

Nice game you pitched today.

Thanks, mister.

You ever think of pitching

Regular professional baseball?

That's all I ever


Do think about.

What are you wasting

Your time here for?

I get $3.00 every

Time I pitch a game.

I think you and I ought to talk.

I'd like to, but I

Got to get going.

Where you heading?

Home.

Ok if I trot along?

Sure, sure, if you'd like.

Say, boy,

Where is your home, anyway?

About 4 miles up this road.

Well, can't we hitch


A ride or something?

It might be an hour

Before a car comes along.

Well, I can wait.

Happy.

Hi, ma. How's my girl?

You been playing ball again?

Sure have. Only


Gave them four hits.

Fine way for the

Man of the family

To be spending time.

I had time to k*ll today.

Did all the chores

Before I left.

I still got time to


Pick a little cotton.

Hey...

You got a nice profit in a day.

How do you do, madam?

I... I guess you

Must be monty's ma.

Yeah.

I'm barney wile.

Monty around?

He's out picking cotton.

You mean after


Sprinting 10 miles

And pitching nine innings,

He's picking cotton?

Yeah.

He must want to play

Baseball awful bad.

All he thinks about

Is throwing a ball.

Well, I don't wonder, madam.

He can transform a baseball

Into a streak of gray lightning

And curve it in

Like it was weaving


Through traffic.

I'd say he's got a great

Future in baseball.

You a baseball man?

Yes, ma'am.

Then I'd say he's got a

Better future on the farm.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Come here!

Oh, hi.

What, you get a lift?

Yeah, part way.

That's quite a jaunt.

I'm all fagged out.

Guess you're not in

Very good shape, huh?

Well, I haven't been in

Training for a marathon.

You walk up there and back

Every time you pitch?

Yeah.

See, the walk up,

It sort of gets my

Muscles nice and loose,

And the walk back keeps

Them from tightening up.

Works them out pretty good.

Yeah. I never thought of that.

But about your pitching,

Like I was saying, you

Got a nice, easy motion.

I guess you didn't

Walk all the way here

Just to tell me you

Like the way I throw.

Of course you're

A little ragged yet

And you need some smoothing out,

But I don't think that'll

Give us much trouble.

Ever play any ball?

I've had my innings.

Where?

Oh, chicago,

Cleveland, boston.

I've been around.

Hit the big leagues?

Uh-huh.

What'd you play?

Behind the bat.

You were a catcher, huh?

I caught all the big fellas.

Well... Well...

Oh, I know.

I... I was a fool. I...

A grand-slam,

Double-barreled fool.

Breaking training

And hitting the bottle,

You don't stay up

There very long.

By the time I learned my lesson,

I was out.

And it isn't so

Easy to get back in.

But when I saw you,

I was seeing a

Dream come true...

My dream of finding

A hot prospect

And coming back into baseball.

I sure would like

To work with you.

It's still light. You

Want to catch a few?

Well, maybe you haven't had

Enough exercise for one day,

But I have.

But, uh...

We might be able to

Work out tomorrow.

What, are you

Staying around here?

Well...

Not exactly.

Oh, you just passing

Through, huh?

Yes, something like that.

I'm on my way to california.

Oh.

Of course, it doesn't

Have to be california.

I, uh...

I could... I... I... I might...

I... I... I could help...

You ever do any farm work?

Oh, I've... I've...

I've... I've...

You look kind of flabby.

Oh, son,

I've got muscles I

Haven't even used yet.

Uh-huh.

You, uh...

You meet my mother?

Yeah.

I struck out.

Oh, that figured.

Well...

I guess this is what

Us baseball men

Would call a squeeze play.

May I offer my compliments,

Mrs. Stratton?

This was a meal fit for kings.

And this pie...

Nothing like the pie

Mother used to make.

Is that so?

No. My mother

Couldn't boil water.

You don't say?

Mr. Wile here,

He's sort of looking

Around for something to do.

I thought maybe he could sort of

Hole up here for the winter

And help out around the place.

You know as well as I do, monty,

We can't afford no hired hand.

Oh, well, he wouldn't

Expect any pay.

Uh, just room and keep.

I didn't realize you

Were so overworked

You needed help.

No, no, it's... Not that, ma.

It's just that a lot

Of things need doing.

Mr. Wile could be

Mighty handy with,

Uh, fixing that fence

Down at the pigpen,

Fixing the roof on

The chicken coop,

Pulling those stumps

Down by the crick.

Oh, we'd get this

Place in real fine shape.

When your papa died,

He left this place

To you, monty.

You're the man of the house.

If you want mr. Wile around,

I ain't going to raise a fuss.

You ought to be old enough

To know what you're doing.

Well...

Say, you know,

Somehow I feel sort of tired.

I can't imagine why.

What do you say

We turn in, barney?

Good night, mother.

Good night.

Good night, ma'am,

And thank you.

This farm's all

Monty's got, mr. Wile,

But it's worth something.

The land always is

If you look after it.

But you and monty,

You go ahead and talk baseball,

And maybe someday

He'll do as good as you did.

Now, wait a minute,

Son. Wait a minute.

When you swing back,

You pivot around like this.

But don't try to

Strike out every batter.

Use your control and

Let your fielders help you.

And as you come forward,

Use your body.

Follow through!

I guess in a spot like that,

The best pitch would be...

Nice and easy.

Now follow through,

Nice and easy.

That's it, boy!

That's beautiful.

And always, always

Cover first base

When the ball's hit deep.

Nice pitch, boy. Nice pitch.

Now, let me look

At the curve ball.

Aw, good hook. Good hook!

Heh heh.

Now, let me see the big one.

Well, that's it for the day.

Get your coat on, son.

Keep that arm warm.

Well, you're ready.

Aw, you're joking.

Naw, I've taught you all I know.

The rest you got to

Find out for yourself.

Now we got to get

You some action.

Not much action around here.

Oh, but there is in california.

Jimmy d*kes and the white sox

Are starting their

Spring training

There next week.

Chicago white sox?

Yeah! Jimmy d*kes is

An old friend of mine.

I've known him for 20 years.

All I have to do is say the word

And he'll give you a tryout.

He will?

Sure!

Out in california?

Yeah.

Looks like we got another

Squeeze play coming up.

Yeah.

Barney and I are

Sort of thinking

About taking a little

Trip out to california.

That so?

What baseball team's over there?

Uh, it's the white sox.

How'd you know that?

I didn't reckon you'd

Be going over there

For anything important.

But this is important, ma'am.

Worth giving up the farm for?

If they take him on,

The least he'll

Get is 300 a month.

Powerful lot of money

For just throwing a ball.

And monty won't have

To give up the farm

While he's trying out.

Cousin earnie said he'd

Take care of it for me.

That 300 a month... That'll

Buy a lot of stuff we need.

What makes you so sure

They'll give you a tryout?

They try just anybody?

Well, they sure don't!

Barney and jimmy

d*kes are old friends.

Who?

Jimmy d*kes. He's the manager

Of the ball team.

That way I'll get

A chance for sure.

Land's the only place

Where you're sure.

Lots of people don't

Live on farms, ma'am.

Lots of people don't

Eat regular, too.

You, uh...

You made up your

Mind, ain't you, son?

I just got to give

It a try, mother.

How you fellows

Figuring on getting along?

Oh, don't worry! We'll

Make out all right,

Won't we, barney?

Well, of course,

They don't pay you

While you're trying out.

But that won't be any

Problem or anything.

I don't think you ought to

Discourage contributions, son.

Contributions? We're

Lucky to be going.

Well...

Here, son.

Here's $5.00 I saved

From selling that calf.

It's all you get.

Thank you, mother.

And don't you

Worry, mrs. Stratton.

I'll take good care of him.

Let him take care of himself.

Good night, son.

You got one big-leaguer

In the family already.

Get in there with the pitchers

And warm up your arm.

Shouldn't we be

Meeting mr. d*kes?

You let me worry

About that, will you?

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Is it ok?

Sure, go ahead.

Ooh! Where did the little

Man get all that speed?

Just get here?

Yes, sir. My name's stratton.

Lyons is mine.

I'm glad to know you, mr. Lyons.

Don't mind eddie.

He's caught too many

Foul tips with his head.

Come on, now.

Wrist out in front.

Let mike have a

Go-around in there.

Red, who's that kid down there

In the leather jacket?

The best right-hand prospect

Since christy mathewson.

Oh, no. Not barney wile again!

Jimmy, my boy, haven't

Seen you in some time.

Not since last spring.

That's right.

You bring that kid?

You bet I did.

I'm giving you the

First crack at him.

He's got everything.

I've been working with

Him all winter long.

Who supplied the hooch?

Oh, no, no, jimmy, I

Haven't had a drop

Since I first saw the boy.

Listen, son. Barney's

Probably filled your head

With a lot of c*ck ideas.

But I can't waste time

With every kid he digs up.

You mr. d*kes?

That's right.

Jimmy, you can't do this!

Barney, how many

Times have I told you

Not to bother me this way?

Sorry I busted

In on you, mister.

That boy's hitched and

Walked miles to get here.

Pretty good control

For a young pitcher.

Watch him throw a couple! Monty!

Monty, don't go

Running away like this.

Country! Country!

Monty, he means you!

Heads up!

Eddie, let me have

That glove, will you?

Come on, country!

Throw me a couple.

Come on, monty,

Get your coat off.

Burn 'em in, boy.

My, my!

Well...

Some stuff, eh, jimmy?

Hey. He really breaks

Them off, doesn't he?

Now let's have your fast ball.

Hah!

Maybe you better

Work out a while.

Keep him around. He

May have something.

But for pete's sake,

Get him a haircut.

Sure, jimmy, sure.

In five minutes.

Ok.

You get four for one?

That's all there

Is to it, buddy.

Hey, lou!

How would you like

A date for tonight?

Fine. But go ask

My wife if it's ok.

But I'm in a spot.

My date has some gal

From omaha with her.

I can't afford two

Gals. Loan me 10.

Shove off, rookie. You're

Into me for 20 already.

Yeah.

It's no dice, baby.

Can't you get rid of her?

No, it's too late.

This is a better

Machine than yours!

Baby, everything's

Going to be all right.

Say, country,

Is that the only suit you got?

I know, I know. I told you

I didn't think this

Was such a good idea.

Oh, forget it. Here

They come now.

That mine?

No, mine. Not bad, huh?

Oh, that's mine.

You always hit the jackpot?

Oh, there's eddie.

Hi, dot!

Oh, no.

Eddie's a pretty

Fast stepper, isn't he?

He's a fast worker, too.

I'm glad I insisted

That dot bring

You along tonight.

Thank you.

Dancing with you is

Like dancing on a cloud.

Share it around.

That's right.

On your feet, dottie.

I'm sorry I can't

Ask you to dance,

But I don't know how.

Oh... That's all right.

Oh, I guess baseball's

About all I know.

Well, that's something.

Seen us work out yet?

Us? Who's us?

The chicago white sox.

No.

No, I guess that's the

One thing I've missed.

Well, the team looks

Good... Looks awful good.

Plays nice tight infield...

Oh, that's nice.

I bet you're pretty

Good yourself.

Well, I don't know.

I'm still trying out.

You're a big fella.

I'll bet you can hit a

Baseball pretty far.

No, I'm not expected

To hit very much.

You see, I'm a pitcher.

Well... I bet you can pitch far.

No, you... You

Don't get the idea.

I just have to

Pitch about 60 feet.

All right, then.

I'll bet you can pitch fast.

Well, sometimes you

Have to rear back

And sort of let her go fast,

And other times, you

Just sort of whip it,

Curve her in.

Or in some spots,

You just sort of float her in.

That's what you

Call change of pace.

Speaking of... Change of pace...

It probably isn't any

Of my business, but...

Would you mind telling

Me what that noise is?

What what?

Jingling noise.

Oh! Oh...

Look at that.

I was going to get a

Haircut at the hotel,

And I noticed those

Machines in the lobby.

I never did see them before.

I sort of wondered about them,

And before I knew it,

I popped a quarter in,

And a whole lot of fruit

Started spinning around.

And then it sort

Of slid to a stop

And nothing happened.

And before I knew it,

I popped in another quarter...

That was the last

Of the haircut.

I was down to my last quarter.

But I figured I might

As well be broke

As the way I was,

So in went the last quarter.

Fruit took off again and

Slowed up and stopped.

All of a sudden,

The quarters started popping out

Like hens through

A busted fence.

Went and got a haircut.

Well, if you don't

Make it in baseball,

You've a pretty good

Future in gambling.

Naw, I'm through gambling.

Why?

I found out what

It's like to lose

And what it's like to win.

Why keep at it?

Yes, sir.

We're going to

Make a big night of it.

There's a lot of

Spots in california

For having a good time.

And, ethel, I'm going to

Show them all to you.

I wouldn't put you

To all that trouble.

Trouble? No trouble at all!

Showing you a good

Time will be a pleasure.

There's a little

Place up at malibu...

Soft music, dancing

Under the stars.

But of course if

You go for hot music,

There's an outfit in hollywood

That really beats it out.

Baby, when I get through

Showing you this town,

You won't ever want

To go back to omaha.

We'll make the rounds.

And what we don't hit tonight,

We'll hit tomorrow night.

Just leave it to me.

Your uncle eddie's going

To take care of everything.

Have fun, I always say.

Now, what's the use of living

If you don't have a good time?

You only live once, and

You can't take it with you.

Let's go.

Where?

Home.

Why, country? The night's young.

Lots of spots

We haven't hit yet.

You hit 'em. We're heading home.

I've very glad to have met you.

Good night.

Did it occur to you

That I might have

Wanted to go with eddie?

Well, what you wanted

Wasn't so important.

Oh, it wasn't?

No, no.

What was important

Was the way eddie

Was treating dot.

If he was trying

To shine up to you,

He shouldn't have

Done it in front of her.

Or in front of you.

No, no, no. That's

Not what I mean.

Look, i... I'm... I'm

Sorry about tonight.

You sort of got stuck

With me, didn't you?

Oh, that's silly.

No, it isn't. No, it isn't.

I just never had much

Experience with girls.

What's so funny?

And you got stuck

With the check.

It was worth it to

Get out of there.

Here we are.

Well, good night.

Good night, monty.

Monty, I'm sorry about tonight.

I behaved very badly.

But I haven't had too

Much experience myself

With ball players.

Well, I'm not exactly

A ball player yet.

I still have to make the team.

You'll make it.

How do you know?

You said you didn't know

Anything about baseball.

I could learn.

Well... When do you

Go home to omaha?

A while yet.

Time for me to come

And call on you?

Should be.

Good night, ethel.

Good night, monty.

Hey, bud.

Hey, you!

Where do you think

You're heading?

How's that?

I said where do you

Think you're heading?

Man, I sure don't know.

Oh, monty, you sure

Looked good there today.

That old arm was really

Whipping today, wasn't it?

Team's moving east

Tomorrow, son.

Gonna take you with us.

When you get dressed,

Come in the office

And we'll sign

You to a contract.

Barney, did you hear that?

What are you gonna do, barney?

Well, if it's all

Right with you,

I'd like to tag

Along with the boy.

Can't have people

Just tagging along.

Look, mr. d*kes...

Can't have people hanging

Around doing nothing.

Jimmy, I'll do anything.

What could you do?

Offhand, I can't think

Of anything, unless...

You'd like to coach

The young pitchers.

Hi.

Hello, mr. d*kes.

Hi.

We didn't have too

Much time, did we?

Enough to make

Me wish it was more.

Maybe there will be.

You got any doubts about it?

California turned

Out much better

Than I thought it would.

Yes, it was nice,

Your making the team, wasn't it?

That's not what I

Mean, and you know it.

I know, monty.

All aboard!

Good-bye, ethel.

Let's get going, boy.

All right.

You will write, won't you?

Well, I don't know.

How will I know you're

Thinking about me?

I'll never be able to write down

What I'm thinking.

I'm not much of a letter writer.

All aboard! All aboard!

Hey! Aren't you coming with us?

Well, good-bye.

Good-bye.

Now, this fella

Likes an outside pitch.

You gotta keep

'Em inside on him.

Yeah, now this fella,

He murders curve ba*ls.

You got to power 'em

At him, high and fast.

With a man on first,

The batter'll try to hit it

Behind the runner

Into right field,

So you gotta

Pitch it inside to him.

That's a good thing to know...

If I ever get a

Chance to use it.

Don't rush it, son.

You get an education this way.

And a good view of the game.

I should be paying

For this seat.

Easy, boy.

Oh, those yankees are m*rder.

Time!

Time!

Pretty rough, huh?

A guy can get k*lled out there.

What a g*ng...

Dickey, dimaggio, gehrig.

You can't power

It past them, kid.

If you're gonna get by,

You got to outthink

'Em. Cross 'em up.

Give 'em what they don't expect.

I guess what they

Don't expect is me.

They don't have to worry

About me outthinking

'Em from here.

Every time I get paid,

I feel like I'm stealing.

Play ball!

Country!

Warm up.

It's what I've been

Waiting for. Let's go.

Oh, not at a time like this.

Those yankees have sent

More pitchers to omaha...

Announcer: now

Pitching for chicago,

Number 25, monty stratton.

Well, country,

You finally got off the bench.

Yep.

Now batting for

New york, bill dickey.

I didn't know when

I was well off.

Just another ball player.

You got to face 'em all.

Play ball!

Come on, rookie.

Let me see a nice one.

Omaha.

Hi.

Hi!

Gee, I'm glad to see you.

What are you doing

Here? I thought you...

I know. Come on, sit down.

I want to have a

Little talk with you.

I got a problem.

But you said in your letter

You might pitch this week.

I did. That's what I

Want to talk about.

What happened?

Everything.

When I left you in california...

What was the score?

That's not important.

They m*rder*d me.

The thing that's bothering me...

They can't expect

You to win every game.

They don't expect

Me to win any games.

They shipped me

Down here to omaha.

Said I needed more experience.

They don't put you in

Jail for playing in omaha.

I know. There's nothing

Wrong with omaha,

But I might not

Even make it here.

We're going out on the road.

First thing I know,

I'll be back on the farm.

Don't you like the farm?

Sure. Sure. It's all right.

Well, then?

Well, it's just that

Things are different

Now, that's all.

Now there's you.

Am I your problem?

Well...

Would it help any

If I said I love you?

That's the problem.

Oh, I see.

Oh, no, you don't see, ethel.

I... No matter what I was doing,

I kept thinking about you.

And every time I'd

See something exciting

That I'd never seen before,

I kept wishing you were there

To see it with me.

If that's love,

Man, I really got it.

You had me worried.

But I had all sorts

Of plans for us

Up in the big leagues.

Now I don't know

Where I'm headed.

It doesn't matter to me

Whether you're in

The big leagues or...

A man's got to know

Where he's going.

What do you want to do?

Just give me a

Chance to make it.

I just want to make sure

I'm not going to let you down.

All right, monty, if

That's what you want.

You're what I want.

Oh, I love you, monty.

You could never let me down.

Monty?

Yes, dear?

What was the score?

16-0.

16? To nothing?

Nothing.

Honey, there's a

Tailor in chicago

That gives a suit

Of clothes away

To every ball player

That hits the scoreboard

In center field.

As of yesterday,

The new york yankees

Are the best-dressed

Team in baseball.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ted, warm up.

Stratton won another

Game yesterday.

Yes, sir. That makes

Six in a row now.

Three of 'em were shutouts, too.

Gave 'em only two

Hits yesterday.

That's what we sent

Him down there for...

To get some seasoning.

Ought to be mighty tasty by now.

Excuse me.

Please!

I'm sorry.

Lose something, sir?

No. No.

Pardon me.

Excuse me.

What are you looking for, sir?

I'm not looking...

Shh.

I'm looking for a girl named...

Ethel?!

Shh.

Quiet.

Monty!

My feet!

Monty... I'm sorry...

What are you doing here?

Honey, I got a problem.

Take your problem

Somewhere else.

Yes, sir. Come on.

Problem? Again?

Let's sit down here.

All right.

I have to catch the

11:00 Train for chicago.

The white sox have recalled me.

Then everything's

Worked out fine.

What's your problem?

I don't know what to give you

For your birthday next week.

I've looked at a

Whole lot of stuff,

But I just can't seem to be

Able to find the right thing.

We don't want to

Talk about that here.

No, no, we've got

To get it all settled.

Of course, I know

What I'd like you to have.

Why don't you surprise me?

You may not want it.

What do you want to give me?

Me.

Just what I've always wanted.

Look, bud, you two ain't bad,

But that's better.

Oh, fine. Fine.

Now, remember... Serve

It with the coffee, huh?

Yes, sir. With the coffee.

Well, still dancing, huh?

Mm-hmm.

That ted's a pretty

Good dancer, isn't he?

I don't know.

I never danced with him.

I hope it doesn't take ethel

As long to make

Good with your ma

As it did me.

Ethel's in a little better

Shape than you were.

I... Oh.

Thank you, ted. I enjoyed it.

I can't figure out, ethel,

How country here

Got a girl like you.

It wasn't easy.

I just wouldn't take

No for an answer.

She's pretty, but

She's not very smart.

Uh-oh. Here come the bombers.

The bombers?

A few of the yankees.

That's them.

Hello, ted.

Hi. How are you?

Hello, ted.

Hello, bill.

You know barney wile

And monty stratton.

Mrs. Stratton,

This is bill dickey.

Met you earlier this

Season, didn't we?

Yeah. Everything I threw.

Are you back up

With the sox now?

That's right.

Glad to hear it.

You running short on suits?

Nice meeting you, mrs. Stratton.

Good luck, monty.

Thanks. So long.

Why, he's nice.

I told you she

Wasn't very smart.

Wait till you see him tomorrow.

They don't call 'em "the

Bombers" for nothing.

Some poor guy's in

For a rough afternoon.

By the way, who is going

To pitch tomorrow?

You.

Hmm? Me?

A couple of the

Boys have sore arms.

You'll work.

What do you...

Have you unpacked yet?

Not yet.

Well, don't.

Oh, hello. White sox?

Yes.

I'm mrs. Appling, shortstop.

This is mrs. Piet, third base,

And mrs. Shea, catcher.

How do you do?

I'm mrs. Monty

Stratton, pitcher.

Oh. Come on in.

Hey.

How do you feel, son?

Almost as nervous as you are.

Me? No, i...

Well, this is it.

Give 'em everything you got.

All right, barney.

Play ball!

Nervous?

We're pulling right

Along with you.

Announcer: now

Batting for chicago,

Number 25, monty stratton.

Come on, monty.

Lasted a little longer today.

Yep. I'm sticking around.

Hey, there, charlie.

Come on in, boy.

Safe!

Almost what you might

Call a one-man team, huh?

He's getting tired.

He'll get out of it all right.

Announcer: now batting,

Number 8, bill dickey.

Come on, monty.

Strike!

Strike!

Just one more,

Boy. Just one more.

You're out!

Not mad, are you?

Nope. Feel right friendly.

Loveliest thing I ever read.

I guess we can stay a few days.

It's too bad the

Season's almost over.

Maybe I can manage

To win a few more.

Listen. "Stratton

Had the yankees

Eating out of his hand."

It sort of felt like they

Were nibbling on that hand

In the ninth inning.

"Stratton got

Himself out of jams

Like a seasoned veteran."

Sure make it sound easy.

"Of course, stratton

Was helped considerably

By a near-sighted umpire."

What was that?

"The umpire saw home

Plate under the ball

No matter where stratton threw."

And stratton caught

The inside corner!

"When stratton pitched,

The safest place to stand..."

Stratton caught

The outside corner.

"He floated them up

Like big white balloons..."

Stratton smote

One down the middle.

"Then the infielders"... Ow!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

How long will I have to put up

With all this abuse?

Oh, about 70 or

80 Years, I hope.

Here's a favorite recipe

That you won't want to miss...

Old-fashioned apple pie

Like mother used to make,

With that tasty,

Crispy, flaky crust...

He's going to tell me

How to make apple pie.

Well, now, if you'll

Call off your dog, ma'am,

I've got some books here.

Monty! Oh, my!

How's my girl?

I didn't know ya, son.

New clothes and all.

This isn't the only

Thing new. Here's ethel.

Hello.

Monty's been

Writing me about you,

But he don't write

As pretty as you look.

You've been running

Over with luck.

Sure have.

You got a new car.

Yeah. I bought myself

A bucket of bolts.

Get your things

Out. Are you hungry?

Yeah, sure.

I better get busy and

Rustle up some dinner.

I'll help you.

She look like that

And know her way

Around the kitchen, too?

She does all right. Oh, earnie!

Ethel, this is my cousin earnie.

Hello, earnie.

Ma'am.

Hear you're pitching good.

Managed to win a few

Before the season ended.

What, you a...

You a fan now?

Nope.

Uh-huh.

Guess you won't be

Needing me anymore.

Well, I'll tell you, earnie,

I sort of wish you would

Stick around for the winter.

We got a lot of

Things to fix up.

We got to mend the fences,

Paint the place up a little,

And build one of

Those nursery rooms.

How about some

Supper... Grandma?

They're sure hacking

Away at stratton today.

He's got to lose one sometime.

He's won three in a row

And the season just started.

He doesn't look right today.

Hey, you forget something?

Oh.

I have a feeling

Your mind's not on the game.

I ought to be in

Chicago with ethel.

What are you, a

Doctor or a pitcher?

Hope she's not having

As tough a time as he is.

This won't happen every day.

Right now, I wouldn't trade him

For any other

Pitcher in baseball.

Hear, hear.

What a future that boy's got.

Play ball!

Hey!

Pour it on 'em, pop!

It's a boy!

What?

Today you are a man.

If he looks like an

Umpire, leave home.

Hey! What's going on here?

Play ball!

Oh, sure.

Come on, pop. Put one in here.

Time!

Time!

Come on, pop.

Out of there!

Six of each, please.

Yes, ma'am.

That'll be 36 cents.

Oh, boy! What a game!

Three measly hits he gave 'em.

Barney, you act liked

You pitched the shutout.

That's the first

Pitcher this year

To win 14 games.

Plenty of stuff today, monty.

Thanks, ted.

That's your fourth shutout, son.

Yep.

Boy, what a flipper!

Barney, you better take a shower

And cool off.

Hello, honey?

How's everything?

Good.

How's junior?

Fine. Hmm?

Oh, we did all right. 3-0.

Say, honey, uh...

I don't think you better

Wait dinner for me.

I'm tied up again tonight.

It's another one of

Those press interviews.

Another?

What press interview?

I don't know.

No, I won't be late.

When those country

Boys go to town,

They really go.

Aw...

We're going to see grandma.

She'll be so surprised

When she sees you.

You're so big.

We'll see who's at the door.

Hello, barney.

Junior!

Well, you're all set

To shove off, huh?

Yes, as soon as monty gets here.

He phoned and said

He'd be late again.

Uh, yeah, those

Press interviews.

Oh, but what a

Season he's had, huh?

I knew he was good,

But I never expected him

To come through this fast.

Leading right-hand pitcher

In the american league.

Great, isn't it?

Yes, it is, barney.

But I'm glad the season's over

And we're going back to texas.

Yeah, I know.

You'll have him all

To yourself then.

Oh, I'm not complaining.

I guess we're pretty lucky.

Yes. Don't you guess

We're pretty lucky?

Hi, barney. Hello, honey.

You all ready?

Yes. I'll get my coat.

Well, son, you all set

To go see grandma?

It's none of my business,

But what's with

All these interviews

And the shenanigans?

Oh. Can you carry him

Without dropping him?

I won't make an error, son,

But can we depend on junior?

There, now. That's the last one.

Scat. You just got here,

And you've been at it all day.

Why not? I enjoy it.

You do?

Sure. I could hardly

Wait to get here.

Don't you two have a

Good time in the city?

I'd think you'd be on

The go all the time.

I see more of monty here

Than I do in chicago.

For goodness' sakes. Why?

Well, part of the time,

The team is traveling,

And the rest of the time,

Monty has meetings, interviews,

Speeches.

Speeches?

Monty making speeches?

You may not realize it,

But your son is a

Big celebrity now.

Down here, we have

Him all to ourselves.

I want the baby to

Get used to the farm,

So he'll grow up like his daddy.

We won't get anything

Done talking this way.

Hi. Supper ready?

Can't tell with this

New contraption.

I don't have to cook no more.

Just turn buttons

And off she goes.

Seems like everything's

Got buttons.

It ain't right.

I been down to

The north pasture.

We'll have to clear it out

If we're gonna plant

There next spring.

Sounds like supper's ready.

Durned if it doesn't

Always come out right.

My, baseball sure hasn't

Hurt monty's appetite any.

None of those ball players

Are shy with a knife and fork.

If appetite means anything,

Reckon junior will

Be quite a ball player.

He looks a little sleepy,

Don't you think, ethel?

No. Let me help you

With the dishes first.

There's nothing to help

With this newfangled gadget.

A little dressy, ain't you, son?

Oh, no. Not another

Press interview down here?

No. I thought maybe we'd

Do a little celebrating.

Junior's going to be 6

Months old tomorrow.

Go on. What are you waiting for?

Let me catch my breath.

This is an event.

We don't do much celebrating.

If you're going to

Chew the fat all evening,

I'll celebrate myself. Good-bye.

Oh, no. You hold

Him while I get ready.

Hurry up, will you?

Uh-oh. Now, hold on, boy.

No southpaws in this family.

Ah, ah, ah...

Uh-oh. Southpaw.

Well, now, let's see.

I think we'll have

Some champagne.

Yes, sir.

Care to dance?

Monty, you're acting

Very strangely.

It's a fine thing

When a man has to

Plead with his wife

To dance with him.

But you don't dance.

You like to dance, don't you?

Yes, but...

Maybe it's time I learned.

Besides, this is one of

My old campaign songs.

You'll look funny.

Won't be the first time.

Come on. Come on.

What do I do now?

This was your idea.

You're dancing.

Oh, it's nothing.

But you said you

Didn't know how.

I didn't.

Honey, I just got sick and tired

Of everybody dancing

With you but me.

Did you ever hear

Of inez and papanya?

Inez and papanya?

Uh-huh.

Monty, you've been

Taking dancing lessons.

Mm-hmm.

They got schools all

Over the american league.

You always don't

Get inez or papanya.

Sometimes you get...

I remember in detroit

I got dru... Drusilla

And in st. Louis

I got a little short

One named angelita.

Cleveland, I got...

Then all those press

Interviews and... And meetings...

I took so many dancing lessons

Through the

Season, it's a wonder

I had strength enough to pitch.

Say, I got a few

Fancy steps here.

Do you think you

Can stick with me?

Oh, I'll stick with you.

Come on.

I can't move.

Oh...

I sure got me some fella.

Shucks, didn't you know that?

Good morning.

It was morning when

You came in last night.

Yes, it was pretty late.

It must have been 4:00.

What could you two been a-doin'

All that time?

Dancin'.

Dancin' with monty?

You were dancin'?

We sure were.

Maybe we'll dance again tonight.

How about a date, ma'am?

Why, sure.

Look at this.

This is the inez and

Papanya special.

You ready?

And... 1, 2, 3, 4...

This has a twirl in it.

Once more.

How about that? Let's try it.

Oh, no. Now, you clear

Out. I got to get dinner.

Why don't you two

Girls get dinner ready,

And hap and I will look

For some rabbits, ok?

If it's all right

With the rabbits,

I got no objections.

Oh!

Hap, go home.

Go home, hap.

Go on. Go on home.

Go on, hap. Hap, come on.

Go home. Go on.

Hap.

Hap.

Go home.

No, hap.

Hap...

Go on home.

Go on home. Get out.

Monty's back.

Well, I guess

Everything's about ready.

Oh, happy, be quiet!

That dog makes such a racket.

Oh, that dog.

Did you get the butter?

Oh, I'll get it.

Ethel: I don't see monty.

You don't?

What's the matter with you?

Get back there. Go on.

I wonder why he came back alone.

Monty.

Monty.

Monty, what happened?

I guess I shot the wrong rabbit.

There's no alternative.

It's his leg or his life.

But his legs are his life.

The infection is spreading.

If we don't operate

Immediately...

But his leg...

He's a ball player.

He's a man whose

Life is in danger.

We must have your

Permission to operate.

I flew down as soon as I heard.

Oh, barney.

That's right, kid.

Cry it out.

Barney, his leg...

I know. I know.

Well, he...

He had some innings.

At least he had that.

Guess you're glad

To be back, huh?

Yeah.

Hi, young fella.

He's home, ma.

He hasn't seen me cry.

I've got no tears left.

Hello, monty.

How's my girl?

Do you want to rest, son?

Yeah, I guess so.

Looks like I sort

Of gummed things up.

We've always been able to handle

Our share of troubles.

Look at the mail today.

Must be hundreds of letters here

From people all

Over the country.

Don't you want to look at them?

No.

If people are nice

Enough to write them,

You should read them.

If you like them so much,

Why don't you

Read them yourself?

What do they say,

"Merry christmas,

Happy new year"?

Ah.

Not enough eggs

To pay for the feed.

Hmm.

Ain't too big, neither.

No.

Monty goin' to start

Movin' around soon?

I'm trying to get him to.

You figure he's gonna?

It's up to him.

Active fella like he was

Ought to get around.

He ever goin' to use

That leg they made for him?

I don't know, earnie.

Ethel's doin' the best she can,

But she can't nag him.

He's gonna have to

Want to do somethin'

Before he does it.

I've been straightening

Out the shed.

A lot of stuff's piled up.

Come out and tell me

What you want to get rid of.

Get rid of it all.

I suppose there's a lot

Of stuff lying around

We don't need.

But I thought

Maybe there would be some things

You'd want to hang on to...

Like this ball the

Team all signed.

I'm sorry.

What are we gonna do, ma?

I guess there's

Nothin' you can do...

Except keep on

Tryin' and hopin'.

But he isn't

Interested in anything...

Or anybody.

Everything I do or say

Seems to drive him further away.

He's all by himself.

I just can't seem to reach him.

I guess it wouldn't be right

If he was lettin'

It roll off his back

Like it was nothin'.

I know monty.

He's... He's taking

A bad beating now,

But one of these days

He'll start swingin' back.

But will he, ma?

Do you think he will?

Well, there's

Something about monty.

Good sense, I

Guess you'd call it.

But whatever you call it,

If you've got it,

No doctor can amputate it.

How's the cotton look, earnie?

Good.

What you figure it'll come to?

Oh, it might go

Half bale an acre.

Pretty good, huh, son?

Yeah.

Sonny wants to say good night.

He talking now?

Well, of course.

You say good night

To uncle earnie.

See?

Yep.

What did he say?

Well, he said good night.

A regular little

Blabbermouth, ain't he?

He sure is an armful.

Come on to uncle earnie.

He took a step!

Hmm?

He's trying to walk!

Durned if he ain't.

Let's see you do that again.

Here. Come on.

Look, monty. He's

Starting to walk.

Isn't that wonderful?

What's so wonderful about it?

He's got two legs, hasn't he?

Look at that road.

I used to do 10

Miles on that road

Like it was nothin',

Just to pitch a game.

Now I can hardly reach it,

Let alone walk on it.

Then to top everything else,

Now I'm ornery into the bargain.

I shouldn't have

Sounded off before.

You have it rough

Enough as it is.

I'm not complaining.

Maybe it would be

Better if you did.

You can't keep it all

Stored up inside you.

You told me once...

A man's got to know

Where he's going.

Where are you going, monty?

I don't know.

I guess I'm just not going.

And you said you

Couldn't let me down.

What about the baby?

Ma? Yourself?

Are you going to

Let everything down?

Do you think I want to?

What do you want?

It's not clear in my mind.

I... Before I could do things,

But now i...

Nothing's really changed.

You're still the same fella

I've always been in love with.

I've made out much

Worse than you.

You lost your leg...

But I lost you.

Oh, honey, i...

I still feel the

Same way inside.

I know you do, darling.

That's what I've

Been trying to tell...

I guess I got a

Squawk coming, too.

Sure wasted a lot of money

On those dancin' lessons.

Gee, I sure got me some gal.

Shucks. Didn't you know that?

We're going to town

To do some shopping.

Will you watch the baby?

Sure. What's he going to do?

Very funny.

Nothing like having a comedian

In the family.

You're not doing that

So good, young fella.

Here. I'll show you...

Whoa.

Looks like we got our

Work cut out for us.

Sure is tryin', ain't he?

More coffee?

No, thanks.

But you always have two...

No, no.

He'll be up and down now,

Gettin' into everything.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh! Upsy-daisy.

There.

See?

I kind of think junior

Needs a little sunshine.

Go on. Get his coat on.

Sure.

We mustn't keep daddy waiting.

Put your little arms in.

Now, you be a good boy.

Please be a good boy.

There.

Come on.

There we go.

Sure is a mess.

Yeah. I guess we ought

To save some of it.

I guess so.

Want to keep this?

Yeah, I guess so.

All right, then. Keep it.

Put it in the box.

If you want to throw,

Let's go outside before

You wreck the shed.

A little exercise isn't

Going to hurt you.

Come on. Let's go.

A fine-looking baseball player.

Can't even see

You behind the mitt.

Say, this is fun.

No, I'm all right.

I'm all right.

I think I know what I did wrong.

Come on, let's throw some more.

Hey!

That's the first time

I ever been kissed by a catcher.

Oh, catchers don't do that, huh?

Not as a rule.

Sort of slows up the game.

Well, don't just sit there.

Let's see the big pitch.

Come on, lay it

In there, country.

Hi.

Hi there.

You're late for practice.

I was finishing up out

In the north pasture.

All right, now, let's

See something today.

Come on.

Come on.

Throw it right over the plate.

That's pretty bad.

You can do better than that.

Come on, right over the plate.

Now let's see a fast ball.

Fast ball? Even

If I did have one,

What would you do

With it if I threw it?

Just throw it and find out.

Come on, right over the plate.

You call that a fast ball?

It had more hop

On it a month ago.

You're fixing to get

Your head knocked off.

Don't argue with the catcher.

When I say a fast

Ball, I mean a fast ball.

Come on, put it right in here,

Right over the plate.

Ok.

Right in here.

Gee, honey, I'm sorry. You hurt?

No. No, I'm all right.

But you just lost

Yourself a catcher.

Never had a catcher

Quit me before.

You never had a catcher before

Who was going to have a baby.

What?!

Come on, hap! Come on.

You're slowing up the game.

Here we are.

That's the boy.

Hey, can a fella

Catch a meal here?

Barney!

Ha ha! Ethel!

Gee, I'm glad to see you.

I was on my way down to houston.

I couldn't pass through

Without seeing my kids.

Ahh...

Prettiest sight in texas.

You've been looking at

Too many ball players.

Oh, no! I don't believe it.

Junior! Come to

Your uncle barney.

Heh heh heh.

How is monty?

Oh, he's just fine.

What in the heck is that?

Better get used to it

If you're figuring

On staying a while.

Oh, ma! Don't you worry.

I'm not planning

To stay all winter.

Oh, go on.

Say...

Come on, happy. Lots of pepper.

That's a boy.

Say, what's going on here?

Come on. That's

The way to go, hap.

Now you're working

In there, boy.

Hey, let's see that

Big one, country!

Well, barney, you

Old son of a g*n!

How are you?

What are you doing down here?

I came down to scout

That all-stars game

In houston.

Oh, I see.

Say, you look in

Pretty good shape.

No use my asking you

How things are going.

No complaints, barn.

Hey, bag snatcher!

You got to keep your eye on her.

You're going to stay a while,

Aren't you, barney?

Well, if I'm cornered,

I might stay all night.

You're cornered.

Afternoon mail.

Thanks, earnie.

Howdy, mr. Wile.

How are you, earnie?

You're looking well.

Fancy suit.

Yesiree, that's real fancy.

Great conversationalist,

That fella.

What is it, monty?

This is from george higgins.

He managed one of

The all-star teams

Barney's going to scout.

Wants me to come

Down to the game.

How about it, honey?

Well, if you want to, monty...

Why not?

As long as barney's

Going down...

Sure. It's a great idea.

We'll all go together.

Like old times.

I'll tell ma.

Maybe she'd like to go, too.

Might as well do this up right.

You've done wonders

With him, ethel.

He did it himself.

No, he couldn't

Come this far alone.

Barney, I don't know

Whether he ought to

Go to the game or not.

It might bring back memories.

Well, sooner or later,

He's got to find out

That he's not a player anymore,

Just a spectator.

Can't do him any harm

Just to watch a game.

No, I guess not.

I'm glad we're all going.

It'll be fun.

230, That's us.

Say, I think I'll go back

And say hello to

Some of the boys.

That's a good idea.

I'll go with you.

No...

Don't gab back there

And hold up the game.

Ma, you would have

Made a great umpire.

Yeah, he's got a

Good knuckle ball.

Hello, brad.

How are you, boy?

Hello.

Hello, monty.

How are you, wally?

Barney, you old

Walrus, give me five.

How are you?

Better be good today.

The umpire and the

Western manager say

If you get a hit,

You got to get to first base

On your own.

Then we can put a

Runner in for you.

Those western guys

Want the winner's

Share of this game.

They're not gonna

Give you any breaks.

That's the way I want it.

Let's just play a ball game.

Good luck.

Monty.

Uh-huh.

But this is big baseball.

They're playing for

Important money.

They'll be tough.

I know. That's why

I wrote george

And asked him to let

Me pitch this game.

The tougher they are,

The better I'll know

Just what's what.

Your arm is probably all right,

But you know,

You don't just pitch

With your arm.

I know you're thinking.

I don't even have a knee.

But I got to pitch

A game, barney.

I just got to find out.

I understand, son.

But suppose, uh, suppose

They start bunting.

How are you going to get around?

I know. I'll just have

To figure that out

When I get to it.

Announcer: good afternoon,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Here are the batteries

For today's game.

For the western all-stars,

Gene bearden pitching,

Partee catching.

For the southern all-stars,

Milliken catching,

And in his first

Comeback appearance,

Monty stratton pitching.

Ethel!

Barney, please don't stop me.

Why didn't you tell

Me about it, monty?

I wanted to surprise you.

I got so I was throwing

The ball pretty good,

And I was all

Steamed up, and i...

But now I'm afraid.

Afraid?

Afraid of what?

You've been beaten before.

No. This is different.

I keep saying to myself

That I'm just the same

As everybody else,

But I wanted to prove

It. I wanted to show you.

You don't have to

Prove anything to me.

Maybe I don't have

To, but I wanted to.

But I can't go through with it.

Monty, I came down to stop you.

I was just as afraid as you are.

But you can't turn back now.

That won't solve anything.

You're a ball player.

I used to be.

You still are,

Or you wouldn't have come

This far yourself.

Us saying I'm

Still a ball player

Doesn't make me one.

Well, then, let's find out.

Maybe I won't like

What I find out.

Would you rather stop trying?

Good luck, darling.

Do I look all right?

You look just fine.

Monty!

All right! All right!

Yeah, ma, you see

How the fans feel

About our boy?

Is this your idea?

No, i...

He wanted to surprise us.

Well, stratton's on the mound

Taking his warm-up throws.

This is a big moment for monty.

Before his unfortunate accident,

He was the leading

Right-handed pitcher

In the american league.

This comeback must

Mean a lot to him.

Play ball!

Cue it up, monty.

Quick fire, now, on him, monty.

Come on, boy.

Get in and pitch.

Come back here! Come back!

Get on that pitch, monty.

Start him off right.

That a boy.

Never mind that, now.

Get back. Come on.

Well, stratton's

Off to a bad start...

Two clean hits in a row.

Zarilla on first,

Beringhele on second,

Steve messner up.

Step right in there, monty.

That's ok! That's ok!

Hurry up, there! Come on!

Safe!

Both runners advance

To scoring position

After the catch.

Runners on second and third.

They're hitting

Everything he throws.

Fire hard! Now, come on, boy!

Have fred warm up.

Fred, warm up.

There goes dobernic out

Of the bullpen to warm up.

Bear down on that

Ball, now, monty.

Monty, come on.

That a boy, monty.

Safe!

Safe all around.

Ed stewart's sharp infield

Hit drives in the first run.

Well, stratton's

Really in trouble now.

One run in, one out,

Men on first and third.

He'll settle down in a minute.

Put that away, now.

Get back there!

Safe!

Another sensational catch

By maddern for the second out.

His quick peg holds

The runner on third.

There goes higgins

Off to the mound.

That may be all for stratton.

Will he take him out, barney?

How do you feel, monty?

Can't seem to get

Anything on the ball.

Boy, these fielders are

Going to be all worn out

If this keeps up.

Don't let that worry you, fella.

They're all with you.

Loosen up, monty.

This is just another ball game.

You can play it your way.

Bockman's the next batter

Stepping up to the plate.

Men on first and third. Two out.

Strike!

Good boy, monty. All ball.

That a boy, monty!

Strike 2!

Come on, monty!

You can do it, boy!

Strike 3!

Nice going, monty.

That a boy!

Ok?

Nice going.

Come on, terry,

Get ahold of them.

Play ball!

Strike!

Come on, boy! Give him one, boy!

I guess I started

My slide too soon.

Player: he's all right.

We're getting to bearden now...

Two hits in a row.

Come on, eddie!

Hurry up! Down! Down!

Safe!

This has been a pitcher's

Duel since the first inning,

But the southern all-stars

Have two on, two out.

They need a hit now.

This may be their last chance.

This guy can hit, gene.

Let's walk him and

Work on stratton.

Ok.

Ball!

Barney, they're

Going to walk him

To get at monty.

Yeah, that's baseball.

Ball 2!

Ball 3!

They got to put in

A pinch hitter now.

Ball 4!

There's a pinch

Hitter for stratton,

Bases loaded, two out.

Monty, I'd sure like to see you

Finish this game if

It was just up to me,

But these guys have a big stake

In this game.

I think I can get them in.

I'd sure like to see you do it,

But we're a run behind

And the bases are full.

I got to put in a pinch hitter.

Get ahold of one, monty.

Come on, monty,

You can do it, boy.

Come on, monty, take your cut.

No, wait. Wait a minute!

Here comes stratton!

They're not taking him out.

It's not good

Baseball percentage,

But they're going all

The way with monty.

Listen to that crowd.

Are they with him!

Come on, bearden, get this guy!

Ball 1!

Strike!

Stay with him, monty!

Nice hitting, monty!

Well, you gave

Us a one-run lead.

Now go out and hold it.

Hey, al, stevie.

I hate to do this,

But we got to get on.

Bunt him.

All right, come on, al.

Work hard on him, now, monty.

Come on, boy.

Get out there and pitch, monty.

Start him out right.

Safe!

That a boy, monty!

Never mind that now, monty.

Hang right in there, monty.

Safe!

Stratton's in a bad way now.

Two on, nobody out.

They're bunting this game

Right out from under him.

I'm afraid there's

Nothing he can do about it.

There's milliken, the

Catcher, out to talk to him.

That looks like

The pattern, monty.

What can we do about it?

I'll have to get off

The mound quicker, that's all.

I'll get out there.

All right, fella.

Play ball!

All right, batter up, g*ng!

Monty!

Monty was off the

Mound with the pitch

And nailed that man at first.

He's not out of the woods yet.

Runners advance

To second and third.

Only one out.

Hey, eddie.

He's moving around too good now.

Take a cut at it.

Hey, that's ok! That's ok!

Strike!

They're taking full cuts.

Any hit will do it.

Even a long fly will tie it up.

Strike 2!

One more, monty!

One more!

Strike 3!

You're out!

And bockman went down swinging

For the second out.

This next one

Can be the big out for monty.

Look who's coming up...

The power hitter of the league,

Big johnny lindell!

Here you go, monty.

Work hard on him, now, monty.

Come on, boy!

You're out!

Narrator: monty stratton

Has not won just a ball game.

He's won a greater victory.

As he goes on pitching, winning,

Leading a rich, full life.

He stands as an

Inspiration to all of us.

He's living proof

Of what a man can do

If he has the courage

And determination

To refuse to admit defeat.