Voila! Finally, the For Love Of The Game script is here for all you fans of the Kevin Costner baseball movie. This puppy is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of the movie to get the dialogue. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and all that jazz, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. At least you'll have some For Love Of The Game quotes (or even a monologue or two) to annoy your coworkers with in the meantime, right?
And swing on back to Drew's
Script-O-Rama afterwards -- because reading is good for your noodle. Better than Farmville, anyway.
For Love Of The Game Script
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ No Audio ]
[ Woman On P.A.]
The captain has turned on
the ''fasten seat belt'' sign...
and we will be
departing shortly.
[ Man ]
Your shoulder flaring?
Nope.
- You winced.
- I didn't wince.
You grimaced.
My shoulder
doesn't hurt, Gus.
[ Beeping ]
How long has it
been hurting?
Perry wants me
to start tomorrow.
You gotta be kidding.
You're not doin' it.
No way.
It's the end
of a shitty season.
[ Sighs ]
I'm gonna go talk to Perry.
Sit down.
Sit down. Relax.
Sir, your drink.
Hi.
Thank you.
It's a throwaway, Billy.
It means nothing.
Not to the Red Sox.
If I see you wince
even one time--
Oh, God !
[ Chuckles ]
I've--
I've got the ugliest wife
in the league.
That hurts.
It hurt my feeling.
[ Sighs ]
Buckle your seat belt.
Summer wind
Summer wind
Came blowin'in
From across the sea
[ Man ]
Are we expecting
Miss Aubrey this evening?
[ Continues ]
We are.
What name
am I registered under ?
Mike Nelson.
The Sea Hunt fella,
you know.
All right.
Tell the desk that
I don't wanna talk to anybody
except her, all right?
Mm-hmm.
And, Fitch, tonight,
everything
has to be perfect.
Have I ever let you down,
Mr. Chapel ?
Two sweethearts
And the summer wind
Like painted kites
Those days and nights
They went flying by
The world was new
Beneath a blue
Umbrella sky
This is Mr. Chapel.
Have there been any messages?
No?
Thanks.
[ Woman On Phone ]
Hi, this is Jane.
Leave me a message
after the beep
and I'll get back to you.
Thanks a lot.
Bye-bye.
[ Beeps ]
jane, it's Billy.
I'm worried now,
so... please call.
Are you there?
[ TV Continues,
lndistinct ]
[ Groans ]
[ knocking On Door ]
[ knocking Continues ]
jesus.
I've been bangin'
out here forever.
What the hell
happened to you?
You weren't at the gym.
Is Jane here?
No.
[ Chuckles ]
Oh, Jesus.
Oh. Hmm.
[ knocking On Door ]
Chap, you know,
a lot of little bottles
makes a big bottle.
Hey. Hey, that could be her.
You gotta throw
today, chief.
Gus, do me a favor, huh?
Get the door !
All right.
Throw some water on your hair.
lt might look like
you took a shower.
[ Door Opens ]
No, not at all.
He's in the bathroom
back there.
Mr. Wheeler.
Good mornin', Billy.
Got a minute?
Yeah, sure.
It's not easy
to get up here.
They treat me right.
They didn't have you
on the register.
I can't remember
all your names.
Price of fame, huh?
Can I--
Can I get you something?
No, no, no, no.
Let's just sit.
Yeah.
lt's been a rough season.
[ Chuckles ]
Yeah.
Always next year.
Not for me.
It's one of those secrets
everybody knows.
What you don't know
is it's offiicial.
Billy, I sold the Tigers.
Well, that's, uh, great.
Is it?
Yeah.
Billy, you've been
the heart and soul
of this team.
Like family.
All the negotiations,
the bastards never said a word.
Said what?
They want to trade you
to the Giants.
Wow.
Is-Is that why
you're here?
No.
I don't know how
to say this.
You know,
I've been watching you
for 18 years.
[ Sighs ]
Nothing--
Nothing has given me
more pleasure.
You're like the old boys.
They were golden.
They had that special pride.
When they were done,
they were done.
Nobody had to show them
the door.
Are you saying
I should retire?
Why not?
It wouldn't hurt
the negotiations,
and it would serve
those sons of bitches right.
I, uh--
I don't know.
I don't know what to say.
Well, you know,
you can't tell me
you haven't thought about it.
And you've been smart
with money, right? Right?
Yeah.
I've always been
a Tiger.
I know, son.
That's why
this is killing me.
You know,
my dad bought this team
when I was seven.
I grew up
watching the Tigers.
I was gonna leave
the team to my kids, but
they don't even like baseball.
Everything's changed,
Billy.
The players, the fans,
TV rights, arbitrations.
It isn't the same.
The game stinks.
And I--
I can't be
a part of it anymore.
[ Telephone Ringing ]
[ Ringing Continues ]
[ Sighs ]
Well--
Billy, you want me
to, um--
No.
Hello. Jane !
Where are you?
You're downstairs?
No ! Just stay there,
all right?
just stay where you're at.
I'm on my way down.
[ Hangs Up Phone ]
What do you want me
to tell 'em, Billy?
Look, I--
I need more time, all right?
The game doesn't stink,
Mr. Wheeler.
It's a great game.
Billy, what's up?
[ Elevator Bell Dings ]
I tried to get her
in a cab, Mr. Chapel,
but she said she wanted to--
just go up and walk
up in Central Park.
Go easy on our boys
today, Billy.
Jane?
jane?
Why didn't you wait?
[ Sniffles ]
Are you crying?
[ Sighs ]
What's the matter ?
They didn't have any Kleenex
in the hotel bathroom.
[ Sniffles ]
What's going on, Jane?
I've been sitting in the lobby
for the last two hours.
Doing what?
I'm sorry I didn't call
last night, you know.
I could tell that your voice
was worried enough that--
If something's wrong,
just say it, Jane.
I mean, we don't--
We never had to fake it.
I'm leaving.
I'm going to London.
London?
There's a job, a good job.
An editor's position.
And--
I've been trying to fiigure out
a way to tell you,
but everything sounds so--
What can I say?
I mean, tell me what to say.
I can't tell you, Billy.
It's all right.
I knew it.
From the day I fiirst met you
fiive years ago,
What?
I've always known...
you don't need me.
Knew what?
You and the ball
and the diamond,
you're perfect.
A perfectly beautiful thing.
You can win or lose the game
all by yourself.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Have dinner tonight
with me, Jane,
after the game.
We'll go to Mario's.
I have a 6:00 plane.
They wanted me there
a week ago when you called,
and I wanted to see you.
I wanted to say good-bye.
Good-bye, Billy.
[ Rock ]
[ Male Announcer ]
Welcome to New York
and to Yankee Stadium...
on a crisp and glorious
fall afternoon,
where the Yankees try to win
the divisional title
against the Detroit Tigers.
Hi, everybody.
I'm Vin Scully along
with Steve Lyons,
and welcome
to our fiinal telecast
of the regular season.
You can smell the fall.
The World Series is just around
the corner here in New York.
[ Lyons ]
On paper, today's game
seems easy enough, Vin.
First place team
takes an easy game
from the last place team.
But nothing's ever easy.
Mr. Chapel ?
Hey. Ken Strout.
I was your batboy
a long time ago.
My dad was a Tiger.
joe Strout.
I remember.
[ Chuckles ]
How's he doin' ?
Good. He and Ma are livin'
down in Florida now.
He doesn't move around
too easy, though.
He's got bad knees.
You know,
a little arthritis.
What, are you playin' today?
No, I don't think so.
They just called me up.
Good. Well,
good luck to you.
Thanks.
And give your dad my best.
He was a... great player.
Oh, thanks.
I'll tell him.
[ Man On Radio ]
Live from Yankee Stadium
in New York,
it's
New York Yankees baseball !
Today on the next
to last day of the year,
the Yankees have a chance
to clinch the pennant.
To do it, they'll have
to beat Billy Chapel
and the Detroit Tigers.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Good afternoon, everyone.
lt is a beautiful fall day...
Could you turn that off?
at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees
are set to clinch the pennant.
No.
But standing in their way...
is the great veteran
right-hander of the Tigers,
Billy Chapel.
Does anybody else know?
No. Nobody
knows nothin'.
Not even Perry.
If they knew, that's all
they'd be talkin' about.
Well, what does Jane say?
[ Sighs ]
jane's movin' to London.
Movin'to London?
What the--
- How are you gonna
manage that?
- We're not.
Billy...
this ain't your day.
[ Chuckles ]
What are you gonna do?
I don't know.
That's
Wheeler's nephew.
He sent him down
to get your answer.
Guess he's gonna sit
through the whole game
if he has to.
Poor kid.
Doesn't even know
what he's doin' here.
[ Sniffiing ]
just throw the ball
to the glove, son.
just play catch.
Since you're throwin'
bullets, I'm not even
gonna mention the fact...
that you were an hour late,
and I've been standin' here
trying to fiigure out...
who my starting pitcher
would be if you didn't show up.
Have I ever not showed?
I mean, in 19 years
have I ever not showed?
Well, that's true of everyone
till the fiirst time
they don't show.
Billy, I had an idea.
I've pretty much made up
my mind, but I wanted
to run it by you fiirst.
l want Jimmy
to catch today.
l know how you feel about Gus,
but he ain't hittin', Billy.
He ain't hit for a while now.
I haven't said anything,
but we need the left-handed bat.
I want Gus.
Yeah, I know,
and I'd love to take
one of these goddamn games.
We're not layin' down.
We're not gonna be
a red carpet to the Series...
for these guys.
Gus catches,
or I don't pitch.
Me and Gus.
Nobody else.
I hope you hear me.
jesus, Billy, you tellin' me
how to run this team?
[ Grunting ]
No.
But today,
it's me and Gus.
l've never asked you
any other time, okay ?
Good.
Glad you agree.
Can't argue about this
right now.
Gotta warm up.
I'm sorry. We have
a bit of a delay.
We're correcting a bit
of a maintenance problem.
So we don't have a bit
of a crash?
Is there someplace
I can stay?
Yes.
The Premiere Lounge
is just down there
on your right.
Thanks.
[ Lyons ]
When the sun goes down,
it'll actually be...
an easier time to hit
for both teams.
[ Scully ]
And now, talkin'about
shadows and sunlight,
that might very well sum up
Billy Chapel.
Long has he stood
in the brilliant sunshine...
in his great, 19-year career.
But now, battling back from
an 8 and 11 record this year,
trying to fiight his way
out of the shadows
back into the sunlight.
He'll be facing Mike Robinson,
followed by Jonathan Warble...
and then Sam Tuttle.
Bottom of the fiirst
inning, no score, and
the Yankees coming up.
What's he lookin' at?
He's lookin'...
at the clouds.
You okay, Chap?
Chappie !
You okay?
[ Man On P.A.]
Catching, number 27, Gus Sinski.
Number 27.
At shortstop, number 7,
Jose Garcia.
Trying to take
my hand off?
Sorry.
just let me set for that juice.
Warn me or something.
Pitching, number 14,
Billy Chapel.
I'm gonna throw a little harder
than usual today.
There's your warning.
Chap, don't throw it away
too early.
Today I'm throwin'
hard, Gus.
You and me?
One more time?
Why not?
[ Cheering ]
[ Man ]
Hey, Chapel ! We got you,
Chapel ! You're done !
We're gonna stick a fork
in you, Chapel !
You are finished !
You are complete !
The Tigers are done !
You're done ! You're finished !
Get outta town !
I can always tell
when I'm in New York.
[ Blowing Horn ]
Hey, Chapel !
Yo, Chapel !
You suck !
You stink on ice !
You couldn't pitch a tent !
[ Shouting, Cheering
lntensifies ]
[ Chapel's Voice ]
Clear the mechanism.
[ Shouting, Cheering
Continues, Muted ]
[ No Audio ]
Hello, Mike.
[ Umpire ]
Strike one !
[ Scully On TV ]
So, Chapel working on Robinson.
Bottom of the fiirst inning.
No score.
And there's a little looper
to Jose Garcia.
One away.
Oh, this is--
This is my lucky day.
Hey, how are ya?
How you doin' ?
Fine. How you doin' ?
Uh, the Bud
on the tap is good.
Okay.
Oh, this is
a beautiful day...
for the big ballpark
in the Bronx.
[ Scully Continues ]
He was an All-American
shortstop there,
and he has certainly done
an outstanding job.
Two solid years, and now
a third with the Yankees.
Pretty good breaking ball.
Did get it up...
but got away with it.
Lot of guys would be upset
about missin' their flight--
You know, delay, this and that--
but this works out
beautiful for me.
[ Scully Continues ]
So, Chapel trying
to derail the Yankees,
and the Yankees trying
to end a season...
that has long been finished
by Detroit.
[ Lyons ]
Warble had a game
earlier this season...
where he had five hits,
nine R.B.l.s.
That's a week
for a lot of guys.
I don't know.
They-They pushed this guy up
to pitch this game.
So, basically we clinch today
and I get to see it.
Beautiful.
[ Scully ]
They were 63 and 97.
The Yankees, meanwhile--
Hi. What
can I get for you?
Chivas and water.
[ Bar Patron ]
Okay, here we go.
Everything is--
[ Scully ] Good sinker.
Oh, look at that.
Ah, it's early.
You got, uh,
nuts, chips, somethin' ?
- We got those pretzels.
- I can make do.
Thank you.
[ Scully ]
Good fastball
with some movement on it.
And down goes Warble.
jesus, he swung at that?
This guy, he's got nothin' now.
If I was Boston, I'd be worried.
I'd be, like, what,
are they throwin' the game?
This guy used to be a monster,
to tell you the truth.
When he first came up,
he was unhittable.
Now, he's a junker.
30-30 three years in a row,
and in baseball circles
we all know that there's no love
lost between these two guys.
They don't like
each other too much.
[ Cheering ]
[ Man On P.A.]
At third base,
number 13, Sam Tuttle.
[ Chapel ]
Sam Tuttle.
I can't think of a better reason
not to be a Yankee.
[ Scully ]
Sam Tuttle hit .625.
He went 5 for against Chapel this year.
[ Lyons ]
That would make me
not like a guy.
[ Scully ]
I would think so.
[ Chanting ]
Tuttle ! Tuttle ! Tuttle !
Tuttle ! Tuttle ! Tuttle !
Tuttle ! Tuttle ! Tuttle !
[ Chanting Continues ]
[ Scully ]
Fastball on the inside corner.
Strike one.
Wasn't that inside?
You never do swing
at the fiirst pitch,
do you, Sam?
No, no,
we're off the page now, Gus.
This is between me and ugly.
Straight heat.
That a boy.
- Strike two !
- Aw, that shit's outside.
No wonder nobody
likes you, Tuttle.
Everything's
a goddamn debate.
[ Scully ] Fastball,
and it runs
right on that outside corner.
So 0 and 2 the count
to Sam Tuttle.
I saw that shitty little
Hollywood movie you did.
Ball !
[ Lyons ]
Gus Sinski wanted that one.
So did Chappie.
You see the reaction
on his face.
That's a pretty good pitch
on the outside corner.
Tuttle didn't like the first
two calls, and now he gets
a break on that outside corner.
That's not the kind of pitch
Chapel's gonna like being called
a ball all day long.
Don't crowd me, Sam.
I hate being crowded.
No.
So, 1 and 2 the count,
and whoops, Tuttle has really
moved up on the plate.
He's all over the plate
right now.
Now you got the idea.
[ Scully ]
Uh-oh ! Down goes Tuttle.
[ Fans Protesting ]
What a knockdown pitch
that was. There's
a message being delivered.
Yankee Stadium
is like a schoolyard,
and Bill Murdie looks like
a teacher who sees trouble.
You know, they say
in every great athlete...
there's a mean streak,
and Billy Chapel's no different.
[ Scully ]
Bill Murdie goes
from umpire to referee.
[ Lyons ]
Anytime l played
against this guy,
if he felt like
he had his good stuff,
he'd flip you like this.
Throw a ball right
up there over your head
just to let you know that,
''I can throw the ball
anywhere I want today--''
[ Bar Patron ]
You know, l've been
a Yankee fan since 1958.
- I can name a Yankee
for every number.
- Oh, God. Please don't.
Number one:
Billy Martin, Bobby Richardson.
Number two:
Frank ''The Crow'' Crosetti
and Bobby Murcer.
Number three.. the Babe.
Number four.. Gehrig.
Five..DiMaggio.
Six..Steve Boyer, Roy White.
Excuse me.
Would you mind?
You can't smoke in a bar.
What, now you can't talk
in a bar ?
This ain't church, lady.
[ Scoffs ]
[ Scully ]
Tuttle back up to the plate.
[ Umpire ] 2 and 2 !
Same shit,
different day, huh?
I'd throw it at you again,
but I'm afraid
Murdie'd run me.
Strike three !
[ Scully ]
Oh, good breaking ball.
Got him looking.
[ Lyons ] What a great job
of settin'up a hitter.
Let's take another look.
Tuttle looks like a deer
caught in the headlights.
Chapel just jelly-legged him.
[ Scully ]
So at the end of one,
Tigers nothing, Yankees nothing.
All right, here we go now.
Four, fiive, six.
Let's get something started.
jose, attababy.
It's all about
positioning, right?
You gotta wait on this guy,
all right?
Hey, Mike?
Some water ?
[ Man ] Yeah?
Sure thing, Billy.
You all right?
You got it goin' good
out there.
Make sure
you save something.
Birch wants
to play golf tomorrow.
You know,
I played golf with Birch
the day I met Jane.
You doin' all right?
Yeah.
I'm not hearin' 'em
at all out there.
[ Car Stereo ]
Are you gathering up
the tears
Have you had enough of mine
Are you reelin'in
the years
Stowin'away the time
[ Yells ]
- Ooh. Hot.
- Stupid piece of crap !
Yeah, that'll fiix it.
[ Fades ]
[ Sets Parking Brake ]
[ Shuts Engine Off ]
[ Sighs ]
I don't need any help.
I can see that.
I can see you got your car...
kicked completely
into submission.
I mean it.
just go away.
[ Sighs ]
You know, I can always tell
when I'm in New York.
Do you really know
anything about cars?
[ Chuckles ]
You want me to have
a look at it?
Okay.
It's not mine.
It's just a trashy rental.
Yeah. Mine too.
Why don't you try the key?
See if we can't get it started.
[ Ignition Cranking ]
[ Chapel ]
Should've paid attention
in auto shop.
Um--
[ lgnition Cranking ]
- [ Engine Starts ]
- [ Laughing ]
What did you do?
Well, I was--
I have no idea.
I-I don't--
[ Chuckles ]
I don't know anything
about cars. I was just
trying to be manly.
Well, that was great.
Thank you.
You saved my day.
Of course I did.
I said I would.
Where are you headed?
I'm not sure.
Bear Mountain, maybe.
I just threw my stuff
in the car and took off.
Had to get out of the city.
How come?
'Cause summer's over
and l missed it.
You know, I work all the time.
Makes me feel old.
I don't know.
Oh.
Well, thanks again.
So, what's the problem?
My problem
seems to be solved.
Oh, no.
Well, wait a sec.
No, the car's fiine.
But listen, honey,
I gave up on four calls haulin'
my ass out to you, okay?
That's 100 bucks to me.
So if there's nothin' wrong
with this car now,
there will be when I bring it
down to the city, okay?
The car's--
- Everything all right?
- [ Man ]
Everything's peaches, mac.
You're--
You're Billy Chapel.
l can't believe it.
lt's a pleasure to meet you.
I can't believe this.
Oh, I'm sorry.
[ Tow Truck Radio Chattering,
lndistinct ]
You know, you are the greatest
freakin' ballplayer out there.
I'm sor-- I'm sorry.
But you really are.
I'm gonna go get that.
You stay right here, okay?
[ Car Door Opens ]
Billy Chapel.
Nice to meet you.
jane Aubrey.
You know, I--
I got this problem.
See, um, I'd like
to keep talkin' with you,
but I gotta go to work.
[ Chuckling ]
just a second.
Hey.
[ Whistles ]
l'll get there
when l get there.
Can you do me a favor ?
Anything.
We got a bum deal
on this rental here,
so if you could--
if you could haul this
back to town for us,
I'd really appreciate it.
I can't take that.
Wait a sec. Wait a sec.
What are you doing?
You like baseball ?
What?
Baseball.
[ Clattering ]
No, not really. Hey !
- You ever been?
- No.
Would you like to go?
Would you like to go
to a baseball game with me?
Billy, if she don't
wanna go, l'll go.
Don't let that happen.
Lady, you can't just stand
in the middle like that.
Oh, sorry.
Let me see your ticket.
Oh, you're with
the players' wives.
Follow me.
Go on.
Go on !
Thanks. Excuse me.
Sorry. Sorry.
Sure.
Hey.
Hey. Excuse me.
Who are you
here with, honey?
Billy Chapel.
Oh, how nice.
[ Whispering ]
This week's blond.
No, no, stay.
You're cool. Trust me.
I've been there, all right?
I'm Kisha Birch.
Hi.
Hi.
jane Aubrey.
Nice to meet you.
[ Umpire ] Strike three !
[ Cheering, Shouting ]
You got a ball ?
Yeah.
[ Jane ]
You don't lose much, do you?
I lose.
I've lost.
About 134 times.
Oh.
[ Chuckles ]
That's over, like,
15 years, okay?
Oh.
All right?
You count them?
We count everything in baseball.
I mean, that's--
God, that's all we do.
All right, quit stalling.
What?
You haven't told me
anything about you.
Nothin'.
Well, I fiigured
if I kept my mouth shut,
I could pass for
elegant and mysterious.
You're forgetting
I saw you on the highway...
[ Laughing ]
kicking the hell
out of your car.
Where are you from?
Oh, God.
Three questions.
Syracuse, New York.
That's one.
What are the pads for ?
This one is my article on
lip gloss for Elle magazine,
this one is on skin peels,
and my grocery list.
Last question.
How do you liked
to be kissed?
You know, I always thought
that men and women...
should just
carry around signs.
If you're poor and you can't
afford it, you would make yours
out of cardboard and string.
And if you're rich,
you could have it lettered
in gold leaf...
or pounded out of tin
by Mexican craftsmen.
[ Chuckling ]
It doesn't matter.
But you wear them
around your neck, see?
And they say things,
like ''shallow'' or ''horny.''
It just--
It just would be
a hell of a lot easier.
What would yours say?
[ Elevator Bell Dings ]
[ Moaning ]
Billy?
Billy, isn't this
your floor ?
I think so.
We've been here
twice before.
[ Siren Wailing ]
Good morning.
Good morning.
Gotta go.
Sleep as long as you want.
You can take a shower,
anything you want.
Nobody'll bother you till
you take the sign off the door.
Okay, thanks.
What's this, a souvenir ?
[ Chuckles ]
It's my number.
Billy, you don't have
to give me this.
I know I don't have to do this,
but, um, I wanted to.
When will you be back?
I already checked.
Four weeks from Thursday
I'll be back in New York.
So, uh...
that Thursday night?
Meet me in the bar
downstairs at 10:00, okay?
I'll be there
waitin' for you.
If you don't show up,
if you leave me
standing in that bar,
it'll ruin this.
Well, then I guess
I'll just have to show up.
I'm serious.
I'll be there, Jane,
okay?
Okay, Billy Chapel.
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Chanting ]
Birch ! Birch ! Birch !
Birch ! Birch ! Birch !
[ Chanting Continues ]
Birch, baby !
Kiss that bitch good-bye !
Take it over !
Clear the mechanism.
[ Cheering, Shouting Fades ]
[ No Audio ]
You look old, Davis.
Are we that old?
[ Throwing Ball lnto Glove ]
Strike one !
[ Scully ]
And the fastball...
sinks at the knees,
picks up the corner,
and the count 0 and 1.
Don't smile at me, Davis.
l hate that.
[ Scully ]
lt was a sad day in Detroit
when Gary Wheeler,
the owner of the Tigers
and a somewhat
beleaguered franchise,
was forced to trade Davis Birch,
who was a free agent.
Detroit could not come up
with his monetary demands,
and the Yankees were waiting
with open arms
and an open wallet.
It was your team too.
I mean, how much money
we gotta make?
You want to see my team?
[ kisha ]
You kids go and play.
That's my team over there.
You got it.
I'll be out in a second, okay?
Billy, are you--
are you gonna just sit there
and mope or are you gonna help?
I ain't carrying no books.
Where's the pillows?
[ Chapel ]
You're the best, kiddo.
The best around.
The worthy opponent.
[ Scully ] The 0-1 pitch.
And the bottom just
drops out of it. Strike two.
[ Lyons ]
Look at Birch starin'
out at Billy Chapel.
They're sayin',
''Where's that curveball
coming from?
He never had that curveball
when we played together.''
It don't happen that often,
but I got you mixed up,
don't I ?
You're guessin' now,
aren't you?
[ Throwing Ball lnto Glove ]
Well, here's your fastball...
right down the pipe,
just so you don't walk away
thinking I was afraid
to give it to you.
Strike !
[ Scully ]
Fastball runs on the inside
corner. Strike three called.
-Jesus, Birch,
I could've hit that.
- So Billy Chapel, all business,
taking care of Birch
on three pitches.
Kenny Howell will follow.
[ Jane's Voice ]
lf you don't show up,
if you leave me
standing in that bar,
it'll ruin this.
[ Woman Singing,
lndistinct ]
[ Woman Singing,
lndistinct ]
[ Honking ]
[ Man ]
Cab, Mr. Chapel?
[ Whistle Blowing ]
You leaving?
Yeah, I was supposed
to meet someone,
but they, uh--
I'm sorry.
I wasn't gonna come.
I actually sat
in my apartment...
counting the hours to the time
when I was not gonna show up
to meet you.
And then I-I just--
Oh, God.
Billy Chapel.
Why do you always use
both my names?
So I know
what I'm up against.
I-I had a great time
with you last month.
It's not that.
Don't get me wrong.
It's just that...
I-I don't mean to sound
like anything or anything,
[ Man ]
lt's for our kid. Thanks.
but-but I don't do that.
And I'm not saying
anything about it.
What?
I just don't do it,
not since I was in college.
What don't you do?
I just--
You know what?
I think I should go home.
Why?
Because-Because
I just don't screw like that !
And-And-And
I hate that word.
[ Man ] You want that cab,
Mr. Chapel?
Give it to somebody else.
I don't go to hotel rooms
with men I don't know.
Billy,
I can't be a groupie.
You're not a groupie, Jane.
You don't look like one.
You don't act like one.
I didn't treat you like one.
Wasn't--
Wasn't I a gentleman?
Yes, I know.
But you pull up
out of nowhere,
you start my car.
You make me laugh,
and the next thing I know--
No.
l'm at a baseball game
that you win !
l'm at a baseball game
that you win !
I mean,
it's so surreal.
Little boys buy cards
with your picture on them.
They buy those for the gum.
[ Chuckles ]
Goddamn it !
God-- What?
Goddamn what?
I like you.
So what's the problem?
I'm really not at all
the person you think I am,
and I think
it would just be more fair
for both of us...
for-for me to just leave.
Well, forget it.
I mean,
what's the difference?
I mean--
What?
Just-- No.
Here, give me the thing.
What's the difference
between the real you...
and this-this other you?
The-The real me is-is--
Here.
The real me is plain,
uninteresting and-and--
and hates
sexy underwear because
it's really uncomfortable.
Oh.
All right, so the--
the real you's a bummer.
This can't be
what you were looking for
from this evening.
I mean, be totally
honest with me.
That--
That day I fiixed your car,
jane, I got lucky.
And maybe
you got lucky too.
I mean, I know we don't
know each other so well,
but that's--
that's what I was hoping.
I mean, we don't have to--
We could, like--
like, walk, you know?
We could walk like--
We could just walk.
Walk?
I-I could walk.
I mean, we don't--
we don't have to talk
so much either.
Okay.
You've got the look
of love light in your eyes
l was in crazy motion
Till you calmed me down
lt took a little time
But you calmed me down
You know, border collies.
My dad loved
the blue heelers.
Is he still alive?
No, they're both gone.
Him fiirst,
and then her within a year.
He was a good man.
Very tall.
Very reserved.
Passionately in love
with two things:
my mother and baseball.
Then he was a lucky man.
Okay.
Okay.
So, how do we do this?
How does this work, Billy?
I told you,
I have to be here next month
for a couple of days.
I wanna see you.
Okay.
Okay.
[ keys Jingling ]
So...
when you're away,
I'll live my life...
and-and you'll live yours.
And none of this stupid bullshit
why-didn't-you-call-me crap.
And what you do
when you're not with me...
has nothing to do with me,
and vice-versa.
No questions asked.
No worrying.
No obsessing.
That sounded perfect.
Good night.
Good night.
My back keeps breaking out.
Candy says it's gross.
[ Imitating Austrian Accent ]
Use the loofah.
The what?
The loofah.
It exfoliates.
You're losing it
over this girl.
I met this woman
in New York.
I'm thinkin'
of askin' her down.
Call her.
Nah, it's, you know,
it's not, uh-- it's casual.
I've seen her a few times
over the winter in New York...
when I happen to be there.
Call her.
[ Telephone Ringing ]
Hello?
[ Chapel ]
I'm having this problem
with my skin peel.
I was just thinking
about you.
Yeah? What were you thinking?
I was wondering when you play
your fiirst series
against the Yankees.
jane, come down here.
What?
Come see me.
Come spend the weekend.
Meet my friends.
I don't know, Billy.
What do you mean,
you don't know?
Well, I-I've got
a ton of work to do,
Okay.
and I can't really afford
to be running off--
So, I'll pay.
No.
It's not that.
Look, we made the rules.
I think we should stick to them.
There's no rules
about having fun.
I mean, that's bullshit.
Why is it bullshit?
Because if all you want to do
is have fun,
then you would come down here,
'cause this is fun.
You know who sat
in the bleachers last Sunday?
Who?
Sandy Koufax.
You are such--
Sandy Koufax !
You are such a guy.
You are like the ultimate guy.
- What, you don't like guys?
- I need a regular guy.
Not the guy on
the Old Spice commercial.
It was Right Guard.
What?
It was Right Guard,
that commercial.
I was being
metaphorical, Billy.
Look, this is crazy.
What am I supposed to do?
I'm supposed to
run down there...
and meet Sandy Koufax,
get his autograph
and sleep with Mr. Right Guard?
What-What are you
so afraid of?
I'm not afraid.
[ Sighs ]
I can't be a groupie.
You know, that's the second time
you used that word to me, Jane,
and it didn't really
go down that well
the fiirst time.
- Now you're mad.
- No, I'm not mad.
I'm just... pissed off.
Billy, that's not fair.
Look, I'm gonna hang up now,
all right?
Let's start from the beginning.
- I'll call you some other time.
- Wait. No.
When will you call me?
Like when I don't feel
like killin' you.
[ Sighs ]
[ Receiver Clicks ]
I told her.
[ Sniffles ]
So, I haven't seen you
around much lately.
I've been workin' hard.
Yeah, well,
all work and no play--
[ Chuckles ]
[ knocking ]
All I've got is my toothbrush
and a bathing suit
I bought at the airport.
[ Male Vocalist,
lndistinct ]
You're not smiling.
You're annoyed.
No.
- I'm an idiot.
- No, I'm an idiot.
jane, listen to me.
[ Chuckles ]
No matter what happens
in the next fiive minutes,
I want you to know
that when I opened this door...
I was so happy to see you
that my heart leapt.
It leapt in my chest,
okay?
Okay.
Hey, Billy,
can I borrow your...
blow dryer ?
You'll find the words
still ring true
Some things
don't change
Some things do
[ Sighs ]
- Don't go.
- And you're the only one
With a broken heart
- The only one
- It's not your fault.
Who's afraid
of the dark
jane--
I have terrible timing.
I've always had it.
That's why I failed at acting
and skiing and table tennis.
No.
I should've known
when the only flight
to Lauderdale...
was at 6: 10 a.m.,
and the only rental car
I could get was this
ridiculous Lincoln.
The car's perfect.
It's perfect.
That girl--
No, please.
You don't have to do this.
I'm not angry or hurt.
We're not anything.
You're fiine.
You can do whatever you want.
I know I can. I ju--
I don't want her.
Well, then what is she
doing here?
Well, I like her.
She's my masseuse.
[ Laughs ]
It's never quite how
you play it in your head.
What about
the whole deal thing?
- What deal ?
- You know. You do what you do,
I do what I do.
You believed that?
I was lying.
I was trying to be the man.
I was doing
a damn good job of it...
until you invited me
down here.
You were right.
I was afraid.
I was afraid you were
gonna break my heart...
into a thousand pieces.
jane, I'm--
I've been thinking
about you, Jane.
I don't know
what I was--
That was--
Look-- All right,
tell me what I can say
so you'll believe me.
I believe you.
Well, then-- then stay.
Please, Jane,
I want you to stay.
This can only end
bloody for me, Billy.
I saved the sign.
You know, the ''yes'' sign?
I pinned it on the wall
in my locker.
Goddamn it !
It was stupid !
[ Scully ]
Strike three called.
On the corner.
l see a red door and l
want it painted black
Strike three !
Fastball got him.
[ Continues, lndistinct ]
That's strikeout number five
for Billy Chapel.
He is really on a roll now.
l see the girls walk by
[ Scully Continues,
lndistinct ]
Dressed in their
summer clothes
l have to turn my head
Until my darkness goes
l see a line of cars
And they're all
painted black
With flowers
and my love
Both never to come back
l see the people
Turn their heads
and look away
Like a newborn baby
lt just happens
every day
You're in the zone.
[ Man On P.A.]
Number 24,
It feels good.
[ Scully ]
Here's Mickey Hart, 0 for 1.
Mickey Hart.
[ Scully ]
No score, fourth inning.
Jack Spellman, doing well,
has allowed only two hits
to the Tigers.
Meanwhile, Billy Chapel
in perfect control.
Mickey'll be gone
next year too.
Poor guy.
Never cold get a break.
What was that catch he missed?
The one that hit him?
They still play it
on Diamond Vision
all the time. You know--
Whoops, there goes
another rubber tree plant
[ Chuckles ]
[ Chuckles ]
Fenway.
Uh, uh, uh
Uh, l remember wasn't so long
ago, we had a one-room shack
and the livin' was low
And my mama by herself
raised me and my bro
Wasn't easy but we did it
with the little that flowed
She said
Son, there'll be times
when the tides are high
And the boat may be rocky
You can cry
[ Cheering ]
Just never give up
You can never give up
Everything's all right,
man.
Guess that looked pretty funny
out there today, huh?
Probably end up on ESPN
or somethin.'
A lot of shit ends up
on ESPN I don't think's
very funny, Mick.
Phone call, Mr. Chapel.
Phone call, Mr. Chapel.
There's a bunch of cameras
out there right now waitin'
to make a joke of this, Mick.
So you can either stop,
give 'em the sound bite,
do the dance...
or you can hold your head up
and walk by, and the next time
we're in Boston...
we'll go out there
and work the wall together.
Don't help 'em make
a joke out of you.
Old school, baby.
He's right.
Chapel.
It's Jane. I got
your number from
the front offiice.
I hope that it's okay.
That's all right.
Don't worry about it.
What's wrong?
Something's happened.
It's my daughter.
She ran away.
Your daughter ?
I'll tell you--
I don't have time know,
but she's there in Boston.
Her father lives there.
Oh, God. We had a fiight.
All right.
jane, just slow down,
all right?
just slow down.
She climbed down the fiire escape
and went to Penn Station and got
on a train to go to her father,
but he's not there.
What's the address?
8245 Clackton.
What's her name?
Freedom.
Freedom?
Scared you, didn't l?
Heather. lt's Heather.
[ Rock, Muffled ]
Heather ?
It's okay. I'm--
I'm the guy your mom said
was coming to get you.
Let's get out of here
before we get our asses
kicked twice in one night.
Heather ?
- You're Heather.
- And you're
the baseball player.
My mom can do
nothing normal.
[ Snickers ]
[ Whispers ]
Shut up, shut up.
You want somethin' ?
I'll have a V8.
[ Scoffs ]
What is it with
single men and V8 juice?
I mean, my dad's fridge has
nothing but mustard in it.
But when I come to visit
it has mustard,
fiish sticks...
and this big jug
of V8 juice.
Like, if he makes me choke
down a glass he's being
healthy and fatherly.
Well, I like V8.
Nutritious.
- So are you
my mom's boyfriend?
- I'm not sure.
But you've slept with her.
V8.
It's a refreshing blend
of eight...
vegetable juices.
[ Exhales Sharply ]
What did you and your
mother fiight about?
[ Exhales Sharply ]
I didn't come home from school
when I was supposed to
because I was with Mark Elton.
She freaked out because
he has facial hair...
and his parents
are never home.
I said, ''We didn't do anything.''
She said,
''Well, you could have.''
I said,
''Well, I might love him.''
She said,
''Well, you don't know
what love is.''
I said,
''I'm gonna do
what I wanna do.''
She said, ''Well,
not in this house.''
And--
So I went to my dad's,
because...
he doesn't care
what I do...
'cause he's stoned
90%% of the time.
She just--
She doesn't...
want me t-- to make
the same mistakes
that she did.
She had me
when she was 16.
You know, she never had...
a love story.
And now it's like...
she doesn't believe in it.
Honey, I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry too.
I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
Billy...
Come up.
Don't ever do that again,
okay?
[ Door Shuts ]
We can always work it out.
just talk to me.
[ Cabbie ] Thanks.
Honey, you want
some spaghetti ?
No, I'm tired.
You sure?
l ate on the plane.
- How was it?
- lt was fine. lt was small.
[ Conversation Continues,
lndistinct ]
She's already asleep.
Thank you.
Why didn't you tell me?
I don't know.
Uh, I protect her
maybe too much.
Some guys meet her,
and they don't
come around anymore.
She thinks
it's her fault.
You want some tea or something?
Are you hungry?
No. No, I'm good.
It's nice.
Good home.
Thanks.
[ Laughs ]
I like to hold it
in my hand...
'cause I know somewhere
you're doing the same thing.
I'm glad you called me.
I'm glad.
What are you doing
down there?
My foot's been kicking something
down here all night.
What is--
[ Clicks ]
[ Laughs ]
It's not mine.
Oh, you mean it doubles
as a flashlight?
[ Giggling ]
It's really a flashlight.
I wondered why there were
so many batteries in this room.
Shut up !
I'm hungry.
I'm starving.
To the kitchen.
About 20 hours of labor.
Nicky was so freaked out
he didn't even stick around
for my sixth month.
There was this
unbelievable nurse who stayed
double-shift to be with me...
and feed me ice chips
and tell me when to breathe...
and push and scream.
Then fiinally she came out.
They laid her on my stomach
and I could feel
her little heart beat.
I just kept thinking
over and over,
''You and me.
You and me, little girl.''
And then I rigged out
my backpack like those
baby slings they have now.
We walked out of there,
two kids together.
What are you thinking?
That you're heroic
and I admire you.
And you care a lot about me
but you can't afford
to get involved.
Is that what's next?
No.
I was... thinking about
you and Heather.
And me.
I was really
thinking about...
how nice it would be
to spend time together.
Yeah.
[ All Shouting,
Indistinct ]
Oh ! These are great.
We'll use 'em
in Central Park.
No, we can
use 'em out here.
You ever gotten
your heart broken?
Yeah, when we lost
the pennant in '87.
Would you still love me
if I got burned in a fiire?
Oh !
[ Laughs ]
Yes.
If I ran into a tree
and got paralyzed?
[ Scoffs ]
Yes.
What If I were
totally disfiigured,
if my face were
all scraped away,
I had no arms, no legs,
no brain waves...
and I was being kept alive
on a heart-lung machine.
Would you love me?
No.
[ Laughing ]
But we could still
be friends though.
[ Chuckling ]
Do you believe in God?
[ Whispers ]
Yes.
How old do you think you're
gonna be when you die?
Do you like
white meat or dark?
Dark.
Dark?
The dark part's more fatty,
but it's cool
to like that part.
You like it chopped up?
You know how
people dice it
in the chef salad,
or you like it torn?
I personally
like it torn.
Not that you have to
like it how I like it.
No questions.
[ Chapel ]
Why you askin'me
all this stuff?
[ Jane ]
Because l want to know you.
Breaking ball,
a comeback right at Billy Chapel
to hold onto the line drive.
- [ Cheering ]
- [ Lyons ] This is one of
those chuck-and-duck pitches.
When you throw
a ball like that and it
comes back at you that quick,
it's almost like
the ball catches you.
[ Scully ]
So far, Chapel is
gettin'away with it.
[ All Chanting ]
Go, Tigers, go, Tigers.
Hey, ho, hey, ho.
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Scully ]
We have one out here
in the top of the sixth inning.
No score.
Spellman has allowed two hits.
Chapel has been perfect.
The batter is
Gus Sinski, 0 for 1 .
[ Lyons ]
Gus has had a tough year
this year at the plate,
but they really pay him
for what he does
behind the plate.
He handles his pitching staff
so well, and any kind of hit
that he gets...
is a bonus for this club.
- [ Crowd Cheering ]
- Yes !
- Simon Louis'a little slow
in coming up with it.
- Get down ! Get down !
Safe !
It wasn't close !
He beat the play !
Good call.
Attaboy !
ln a game like this,
that could be a huge play.
The last leg double
Sinski had was during
the Reagan administration.
The Yankees
are now on the phone
talking to the bullpen...
and they get
a left-hander up.
Bobby Mack is ticked off
with the Yankees,
and he gives batter Jose Garcia
the intentional walk.
ln a moment there'll be runners
at first and second, one out
in the sixth, no score...
and a left-handed hitter
coming up-- that would be
Brian Whitt.
[ Whirring ]
[ Chapel ]
Jane.
I was just
lookin' for you.
Billy?
Oh, my God.
Can't feel
anything.
Hold this. Close your
fiingers around it.
Hold it up. Hold it up.
[ Tires Screech ]
Hold on, Billy.
- [ Woman ] Occupation?
- Pitcher. He's hurt his hand.
- We need a doctor.
- Are you his wife?
No. No.
Are you a relative?
Then I'll have to ask you
to wait outside.
jane.
My friend cut his hand.
It's bleeding very deeply.
- Ma'am.
- Please, we need help.
Is this not America?
Is baseball not America's
favorite pastime?
- Can I help you?
- Are you a doctor ?
- Yes.
- Thank you, God.
jane.
l'm right here.
-Jane, call Mike Udall.
- What?
The trainer in Detroit.
Call him.
Tell him what happened.
I'm going with you.
Sorry, there's not enough
room in the Medivac.
You're gonna need
to stay here.
jane !
Call Mike.
He's the most important person
for me right now.
You need to clear out.
-[ Bat Cracks ]
-[ Scully ] There's a little
flare just by Howell's glove...
- into right field.
- [ Players Shouting,
lndistinct ]
Here comes Sinski.
Colborn waves him to the plate.
- The throw.
He is... in there !
- Safe ! Safe !
- [ Groans ]
- The Tigers take
a 1-to-nothing lead.
[ Lyons ] What a great slide
by Sinski, sliding away from
the play at the plate.
Jim Colborn,
the third base coach,
didn't even hesitate.
Your catcher,
the slowest guy on your team,
comin'around third,
trying to score in a scoreless
ball game, had no hesitation
at all, sent him all the way--
[ Continues, lndistinct ]
[ Man ]
lt's all bullshit, Billy.
Don't listen to it.
You've done it all.
You've won every award
there is to win.
You got a room reserved
at Cooperstown, Billy.
l just don't know how much more
you have to prove.
Even if you do come back, you're
not gonna be a hundred percent.
You may not even be fifty.
- [ Chapel ] What'd you say ?
- Nothin'. Let's knock off
for the day. Jane's here.
What'd you say?
I didn't say anything.
You said ''if.''
I didn't mean ''if.''
But you said ''if.''
I only meant--
Think I'm not
comin' back?
Billy.
Say it.
You're tired.
Let's quit.
Say it, chickenshit.
You got a job.
That's to get me strong
and get me back.
All right?
You get me back...
I'll fiigure out how to win.
You wanna work with me tomorrow,
then get your mind right.
You get it right,
or you don't come around me.
[ Jane ]
You mad at me or at Mike?
[ Chapel ]
Why would I be mad at Mike?
You practically
tore his head off.
Talk to me.
Talk?
You don't want to talk.
You just want to give me
your version of
why I should quit.
- I want this shit outta here.
- What're you tryin' to do?
Are you trying to make me mad?
Are you gonna pack up my things
and make me go...
so you can sit here in the dark
and feel sorry for yourself?
Well, forget it, Billy.
You can't cook,
you can't drive--
I'll hire somebody
to drive me.
Someone who doesn't talk?
Doesn't think bad thoughts?
Billy, we are gonna
get through this.
You just have to try--
Try ! Goddamn it,
jane, I'm the only one
who is trying here.
I got nobody in
the front offiice,
nobody in the press...
and now I got nobody
in this house...
that thinks
I'm gonna make it back.
I have been nothing
but supportive of you.
I don't want you here,
jane ! I mean--
Don't you get it?
You make--
You make me
feel distracted.
You make me feel weak.
Billy,
you taught me something.
You taught me
how to believe again,
how good things can happen
and that they will happen.
But now you need to let me
teach you something about
what I know--
about how sometimes
life seems like it's
slamming you down,
but it's really
giving you a gift.
I had a baby
when I was 16.
That could've
wrecked me.
But it didn't. Instead,
it was the best thing
that ever happened to me.
You mean if
life gives you lemons,
you make lemonade?
- You are such an asshole.
- If you're tellin' me I'm never
gonna hold that ball again--
I can't.
Haven't you ever loved
anything that much?
I'll call the airlines.
See what kind of flights
I can make.
You do that.
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ lndistinct Chanting ]
[ Grunts ]
- Strike !
- [ Scully ] Uh-oh.
Something happen
to Chapel ?
Frank Perry is on the steps
of the dugout and apparently
didn't like what he saw.
Gimme the ball.
What are you lookin'--
Gimme the ball.
just stay there.
[ Crowd Cheering,
Whistling ]
[ Lyons ] There's something
wrong with either his arm,
his elbow or his shoulder there.
He doesn't look
very comfortable.
- Bill, he's hurt.
- [ Scully ] Here he comes.
He's goin'out to visit.
[ Booing ]
You just do
somethin'there?
No.
You hurtin' ?
No.
Uh-huh.
How long?
- Ten years.
- [ Sighs ]
What do you wanna do?
I'd like you
to smile at me,
pat me on the fanny,
march your butt to that
dugout and sit down.
- That's what l'd like.
- I want this goddamn game,
Billy.
- That's what l'd like.
- I want this goddamn game,
Billy.
Well, I want it too.
[ Exhales Sharply ]
If it gets any worse,
I'll sit down.
Ready to go?
Where's my pat?
[ Pats ]
Thank you.
You let me know.
Yeah.
He's all right.
[ Jane ]
He's flexing his hand.
What?
He does that when
his arm's tingling.
Pretty soon he's not gonna
be able to feel anything.
Do you know him?
Yeah, and I know
Mickey fuckin' Mantle.
[ Bartender ]
Hey, watch the language.
There's people in here.
[ Patrons..Mocking Laughter ]
[ Man On P.A.] This is
a boarding announcement for...
flight number 12.
God, I hate Yankee fans.
Hey, you leavin' ?
How can you leave
when your guy's winnin' ?
He's not gonna win.
How do you know?
Because he's hurting
and he won't tell anyone
and he won't come out.
[ P.A. Continues,
lndistinct ]
I don't know.
Honey,
I hope you're wrong.
[ Scully ]
As you mentioned earlier,
there's no love lost at all
between Tuttle and Chapel.
Tuttle would
just love to break up
this perfecto right now.
[ Lyons ]
Yes, he would.
[ Scully ] He bunts up
along third. Down to get it.
Backhanded by Chapel to first.
- You're out !
- And got him !
[ Groans ] What are you
buntin' for, Tuttle?
We need a hit, you pansy !
[ Scully ]
For the third time today...
Sam Tuttle has boiled over,
arguing now with
first base umpire Richie Garcia.
[ Indistinct Arguing ]
- Take another look at it.
- [ Lyons ] The only guy that
can fiield this ball is Chapel.
He's like a cat off the mound.
He slides, picks up the ball
and throws it.
That enabled him to get up
quicker than just bend over.
[ Scully ]
What a mix we have goin'on
for the last two innings.
Sitting alone upstairs,
owner Gary Wheeler...
reportedly has already sold
his ball club, the Tigers,
to the corporate group
in the box to his left.
Now an unconfirmed report
beginning to ripple the water...
that the corporate's
first business...
would be to trade Billy Chapel
when the season is over.
So as so often happens
in a ball game, there are
so many other undercurrents,
so many more things
than meet the eye.
And here we have it all..
[ Male Vocalist,
lndistinct ]
a beleaguered owner selling
a ball club,
perhaps the new owners selling
the biggest star on the club,
and all the while,
Billy Chapel, perhaps,
trying to make
the decision of his life.
Does he remain a big leaguer,
or after 19 years
will he call it quits?
[ Continues ]
See that?
It just takes off.
I don't even know where--
Use the seams.
I am using the seams,
but I can't feel the seams.
just--
And l remember
what she said to me
How she swore that it
never would end
l remember
how she held me
Oh, so tight
Wish l didn't know now
what l didn't know then
Against the wind
We were runnin'
against the wind
We were young
and strong
We were runnin'
against the wind
Well, l'm older now
and still runnin'
Against the wind
Against the wind
Against the wind
l'm still runnin'
Against the wind
l'm still runnin'
against the wind
Against the wind
l'm still runnin'
Against the wind
l'm still runnin'
against the wind
Against the wind
Tell her about
the exhibition we went to,
the she-male paintings.
The portraits.
Tell 'em that one.
You tell them.
No, it's your story.
Please,
will you excuse me?
Sure.
What, I don't have enough
black on, or what?
No.
No, it's just that
you're not on the list.
Oh.
You need an invitation
to get in.
Here comes
my invitation.
It's all right.
[ Chuckles ]
I tried to tell him that...
baseball's America's
favorite pastime,
but he wasn't--
I called your offiice.
They told me where you were.
I hope you don't mind.
How's your hand?
Better ?
You look beautiful.
jane?
[ Whispering ]
Excuse me just one moment.
jane, what's the ma--
Billy Chapel ?
Yeah.
So nice to
fiinally meet you.
I'm Ian.
Ian the editor ?
Yes, I guess so.
jane's told me
so much about you.
- So you're in town
with the team?
- Yeah.
I saw you play against the
Padres in the World Series in
the '80s when I worked in L.A.
- It was fantastic.
- You like baseball ?
- It was fantastic.
- You like baseball ?
Yeah, sure.
May I ?
[ Clicks ]
So, do you like
the paintings?
No?
[ Chuckles ]
Would you excuse us?
We're gonna have a drink.
Sure. Go ahead.
[ Sniffs ]
You don't smoke.
I do sometimes.
Billy,
you surprised me here.
I didn't know--
I w--
I have to go.
Well, let me walk you.
Let me give you a ride.
I can't.
Why not?
Because I came
with someone.
What?
I came with Ian.
Richard, thank you
for coming.
My pleasure.
You mean, like a date?
Are ya seein' him?
Yes.
I haven't seen you
in fiive months.
You haven't called.
I called.
What do you--
Three times
in fiive months.
You knew what
I was doing.
What about
what I've been doing?
You have no idea
what I've been doing
for the last fiive months.
You come in here,
you insult my friends,
you embarrass me--
I didn't insult anybody.
The prick asked me if I liked
the painting. I said I didn't.
And I didn't...
[ Lowers Voice ]
come in here to embarrass you.
I mean, you could've
told me. You could've
said something.
Said what?
Goddamn it, you never
just lay it out there.
Lay what out there?
That you hurt me?
Is that what you want?
How on
the plane ride home...
the flight attendant
had to ask me how I was?
How in the cab,
I couldn't tell the cab driver
where I lived?
Or how I had to beg Heather
to sleep with me?
Is that what you want?
Is that what you want me
to tell you?
I'm sorry.
I'll tell you all about it.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry about
what I said to you in the condo.
[ Panting ]
It's all right.
It doesn't matter
anymore.
I think maybe
that you and I...
are just not
the same kind of people.
I'm pitchin' tomorrow night
at Yankee Stadium.
I want you to come.
No. No.
You and Heather.
Please, it's my fiirst game back.
I want you to be there.
[ Sighs ]
I'll be watching you.
You know I'll always
be watching you.
just not from
the friends' box.
[ Thunder Rumbling ]
l don't miss
the good old days
l've learned a lot
since then
l've changed my ways
l'm not bothered
by those things that
Used to get me down
Only when you come around
l wish you'd
come around
Don't you come around
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Scully ] The Tigers
with a 1 to nothing lead,
but the story would be
the inability of the Yankees
to do anything with Chapel.
No runs, no hits, no errors,
but more importantly,
no base runners
of any kind.
Billy Chapel is looking
a possible perfect game
right in the eye.
Billy Chapel all alone,
his teammates staying away.
They don't want to intrude
upon the zone.
[ Rock ]
[ Chattering ]
Shh !
You guys, please.
[ Scully ]
...and Wheeler now seeing
the fruition...
of the hope and the long work
in the 19 years...
with six outs away.
[ Crowd Chanting ]
Let's go, Yankees !
Let's go, Yankees !
Let's go, Yankees !
Let's go, Yankees !
How ya doin', ace?
Anybody been on base?
Nobody.
Nobody?
This I ain't seen much of.
Huh.
Me neither.
Chappie, I never have.
What's the matter ?
I don't know if
I have anything left.
Chappie, you just throw
whatever you got,
whatever's left.
The boys are all here for ya.
We'll back ya up.
We'll be there.
'Cause, Billy,
we don't stink right now.
We're the best team in
baseball right now, right
this minute, 'cause of you.
You're the reason.
We're not gonna screw that up.
We're gonna be awesome
for you right now.
just throw.
[ Mouths Words ]
All right?
Come on ! Come on.
[ Scully ]
Billy Chapel has retired
21 consecutive batters,
striking out eight.
And as the fates would have it,
one of his closest friends
and a former teammate,
Davis Birch, will try to snatch
the diamond away from him,
leading off in the bottom
of the eighth inning.
l once held her in my arms
She said she would
always stay
[ Scully ]
Ball one, and now
the question, of course,
how much petrol has
Billy Chapel got in the tank?
Remember, it was
just two innings ago
that he started to hurt,
the arm tightened up.
Somehow or other
he got through it, but now
he is in the eighth inning,
facing a most dangerous hitter.
Once l had mountains
[ Scully ]
Ball two.
ln the palm of my hands
And rivers that
ran through every day
l must have been mad
jim, get Stafford up.
l never knew what l had
Until l threw it all away
Frank.
Hey, I can see the scoreboard.
I know what's goin' on, okay?
just in case.
lt makes the world go round
Love and only love
lt can't be denied
No matter what
you think about it
You just won't be able
to do without it
Don't question me.
Get him up here.
Take a tip from
one who's tried
[ Man ]
Retire ! Retire !
So if you find someone
That gives you
all of her love
[ Man ] Billy ?
Billy, you can do it.
just calm down.
Throw the ball to the glove.
just play catch.
For one thing for certain
You will surely be a-hurtin'
lf you throw it all away
So a moment of truth-- and
he's had several along the way--
for Billy Chapel.
[ Scully ]
3 and 0.
lf you throw it all away
[ Cheering Fades ]
[ Cheering Ceases ]
Strike one !
[ Cheering Resumes ]
[ Lyons ]
You want to see
a big-time pitch?
When you consider the noise,
the situation, this stadium,
that's unbelievable.
[ Chanting ]
Birch ! Birch ! Birch !
[ Chanting Continues,
Fades ]
[ Cheering Continues ]
[ Scully ]
They put the handcuffs
on him, 3 and 0.
But he's such an aggressive
hitter, you know they're
gonna green light him 3 and 1.
- There it goes !
- [ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Scully ]
There's a high drive
into deep right field !
Back goes Mickey Hart
to the track at the wall...
and leaps up and one hands it !
Yeah ! Yeah !
[ Group Shouting ]
- I love you, Mickey Hart !
- [ Booing ]
[ Scully ]
He took a home run
away from Davis Birch,
and the perfecto
is still alive !
[ Lyons ]
What a play by Mickey Hart
right here.
This is a ball
right out over the middle,
and Birch just hammers it.
You got lucky again, Chapel.
That was a great play.
I'll miss you
the most, Scarecrow.
Ma'am? Are you coming?
[ Scully ]
That will be the fourth save
so far in seven.
I'm sorry.
You'll have to board now.
[ Scully ]
Howell grounded out,
lost a base hit.
Ma'am? Ma'am?
[ Scully ]
The crowd on its feet,
exhorting, well, whom?
Give my seat
to somebody else.
Twenty-two consecutive outs
retired by Billy Chapel,
and he goes head-to-head
with Lenny Howell.
Fastball pulled to
the right side. A sliding stop
by Marcus Ransom to get him.
-You're out !
-That's the second time today...
-You're out !
-That's the second time today...
that Ransom has taken a base hit
away from Lenny Howell.
And now four outs away.
[ Lyons ] We haven't seen
Billy Chapel go this far into
a game for a lot of starts now.
He looks very, very tired.
[ Scully ]
The batter will be Ted Franklin,
the local boy from New York.
You know he wants to atone
for two strikeouts.
Gus !
[ Scully ]
High twisting foul,
off to the right of the plate.
Sinski comin' back
and makes the play.
Chapel has done it for eight,
retiring 24 consecutive batters.
Billy Chapel is certainly
getting more than a little
help from his friends.
lt don't matter to the sun
lf you go
or if you stay
Thanks.
Billy Chapel, right?
Right.
I took my kids to see
you play your rookie year.
Long time ago.
You were great.
Thank you.
keep it up.
I'll be there in one minute.
Shine down on me
Billy?
Do you remember me?
Heather, sweetheart.
Oh, God. How are you?
I mean, what
are you doin' here?
I'm going to U.S.C.
Really?
Yeah.
That's great.
Are you playing
the Angels or--
Yeah, here for the Angels.
And how's
your season going?
Okay.
Well, not so good really,
but, uh, it's almost over now.
How's your mom?
[ Girl ]
Heather ! Hurry up.
She's good.
She's really good.
Heather !
Go.
I miss you.
I miss you too.
Like you did the day before
You don't have plans, do you?
[ Jane ]
No, I don't.
Well, I'm gonna be there,
and it's been a while.
A long time.
just thought dinner at
the Waldorf might be nice.
About 6:00?
How about 8:00,
your room?
Even better.
Great. I'll see you then.
Mmm-hmm-hmm
Oh, no, oh, yeah
What can l say
What can l do
l'm still in love
So why aren't you
lt don't matter to the moon
lf you're not in my life
I knew it the day I fiirst
met you fiive years ago.
What?
I've always known it.
You don't need me.
You and the ball and
the diamond, you're perfect.
You're a perfectly
beautiful thing.
You can win or lose the game
all by yourself.
Oh, babe
But it matters
To me
[ Man ]
You feelin'healthy ?
You're lookin'good.
How are you feelin' ?
Your shoulder ? All right?
'Cause I'm gonna
keep ya in there.
[ Crowd Cheering ]
Mike.
You all right, Billy?
Yeah.
Got a pen?
Oh, yeah.
I want you
to do me a favor.
I want you to give this
to Wheeler's nephew.
His nephew?
Yeah, that kid
in the clubhouse.
Oh.
All right.
Let's go, guys.
Come on !
Let's go !
Let's go, guys. Come on.
Come on now !
What do ya say?
Three more !
Come on !
Nothing but tops out there !
jesus Christ.
[ Scully ] Billy Chapel is
40 years old as he sits in the
dugout here at Yankee Stadium.
Forty years old,
arm weary and aching.
And don't let anybody tell you
or Billy that life begins at 40.
4, 100 innings Billy Chapel
has walked to the mound...
in a brilliant,
19-year career.
But never before, in all those
years and in all those innings,
has he ever had a date with
destiny as he has right now.
He will make the fateful walk to
the loneliest spot in the world,
the pitching mound
at Yankee Stadium
in quest of the pitcher's dream,
the perfect game.
Billy Chapel, in quest
of the perfect game.
You also realize he may
very well be at the crossroads
of a brilliant career.
He's a cinch to wind up
in the Hall of Fame.
However, after this game,
he has to make the big decision.
A: Will he continue to do
what has been his life,
maybe more important
than life itself, baseball ?
Or will he hang it up,
and would a perfect game...
give him
the logical conclusion
to the great career ?
Strout.
You're hitting for Ruiz.
Grab a bat.
[ Scully ]
At 40 years old,
Billy Chapel is flirting...
with perhaps the greatest
accomplishment in baseball.
Standing in his way will be Matt
Crane hitting for Babe Nardini.
Then Jesus Cabrillo.
And Ken Strout has a bat
in his hands in the dugout...
and might very well get
the call to bat for Jaime Ruiz.
And, you know, Steve, you get
the feeling that Billy Chapel...
isn't pitching
against left-handers.
He isn't pitching
against pinch hitters.
He isn't pitching
against the Yankees.
He's pitching against time.
He's pitching against
the future, against age...
and, even when you think about
his career, against ending.
And tonight, I think he might
be able to use that aching
old arm one more time...
to push the sun
back up in the sky...
and give us
one more day of summer.
Lord, I know that
I always said...
that I'd never involve You
in a baseball game.
It always seemed silly.
I mean, You got enough to do.
[ Exhales ]
But if there's any way
You could make this pain
in my shoulder go away...
for about ten minutes.
Clear the mechanism.
[ Cheering Quiets ]
[ Cheering Increases ]
[ Feet Stomping ]
[ Cheering, Stomping
Continue ]
Clear the mechanism.
[ Cheering Increases ]
Okay, okay.
Three more...
like I done a million times.
[ Lyons ] That's tough to
come off the bench and sit and
watch eight innings of play...
and then go up there cold and
have to try and swing the bat.
But if you don't get your pitch
and hack at it early,
you might not see one
for the rest of the at bat.
[ Scully ]
Matt Crane poses quite a threat,
especially now when Billy
has to be on the ropes.
No, Gus. A curve
would hurt too much.
[ Scully ] Ground ball to
the right side, smothered back
at third base by Lee Giordano...
- He's out !
- and throws him out !
[ Scully ] That would
be another brilliant play.
No ! He beat it !
[ Scully ]
Two more outs to go,
and here's Jesus Cabrillo,
who struck out
and flied to center.
lt's been over 40 years
that l sat at Yankee Stadium...
and broadcast
the perfect game by Don Larson
in the World Series,
and now l never thought
l'd be able to see another one,
especially from a 40-year-old
pitcher who may very well be
at the end of his career.
Gus, goddamn it.
Gus, just hold it
over the middle of the plate.
I'm just throwin'
straight shit right now.
[ Scully ]
Big swing and the count 0 and 1 .
What are you swingin' at?
That was a ball.
This guy's a bum !
[ Groans ]
[ Scully ]
There's a drive down the line.
Foul !
What a scramble up there.
What used to be
just a souvenir...
might very well turn out
to be a very valuable baseball.
[ Booing ]
Oh, God.
[ Chapel ]
Yeah, l know, l'm stallin'.
Everybody knows I'm stallin'.
[ Booing ]
Maybe you'd be stallin' too.
[ Scully ] And there's
a strike three call.
Strike !
Billy Chapel,
striking out Jesus Cabrillo
for his ninth strikeout,
and he is one out away...
Ken.
from the perfect game.
- Wreck it.
- All right, skip.
- Wreck it.
- All right, skip.
[ Scully ]
On deck is young ken Strout,
who will take
his swings for Jaime Ruiz.
[ Man On P.A.]
Batting for Ruiz,
number 60, ken Strout.
Why not?
[ Lyons ]
This is a great move by
Bobby Mack, the Yankee skipper,
sendin'a kid up, ken Strout,
his first major league at bat.
He's just young enough and just
cocky enough to not realize...
the magnitude of
the situation that he's in.
[ Scully ]
There's a line drive
down the right field line,
hooking foul !
And that was too close
for comfort for the Tigers
and for Billy Chapel.
Well, I don't scare you
at all, do I, Strout?
Guess you forgot who I am.
[ Chuckles ]
Oh, God.
Think Billy.
Don't just throw.
Think.
No, a curveball's for shit.
He knows it. I know it.
He knows it.
This is gonna hurt
a little bit.
[ Groans ]
Strike two !
[ Scully ]
What's that old line?
''lf you can keep your head
when all about you
are losing theirs,
you don't understand
the situation. ''
That's kenny Strout right now
as he takes another strike.
The count is 0 and 2.
And with a weary body
and, no doubt, a sore arm,
now this big crowd, over 56,000,
rooting for Billy Chapel...
to do the near impossible.
It's either gonna be
your night, kid, or mine.
[ Scully ]
Will this be the last pitch
of the game?
Will this be the last pitch
in Billy Chapel's life?
Will it be the end of his
brilliant major league career ?
And if so, what a high note !
0 and 2, the count
to kenny Strout.
Come on, Billy.
[ Scully ] High bouncer
off the glove of Chapel !
- He's out !
- [ Scully ]
He has done it.
Billy Chapel has
pitched a perfect game.
The cathedral
that is Yankee Stadium
belongs to a Chapel.
He was safe !
Ah, geez.
Nice job, Chapel.
Got to give it to ya. Nice job.
Come on. Perfect game.
I told ya, Billy !
Didn't I tell ya?
History, man !
All right. All right.
All right.
Oh, geez. You're
the cream in my coffee.
Ow ! That's okay.
That's okay. You didn't know.
This is good right here.
I'll just stay right here.
Come on, come on.
This is a good spot.
Wait. I gotta make
a phone call.
Well, this is--
Where are we?
Oh, all right.
All right. Oh !
[ Grunts ]
You need anything?
Some water.
Thank you, Chappie.
No problem.
No, no, not for the water.
I know.
Okay.
[ Door Closes ]
[ Phone Beeps,
Line Rings ]
[ Woman ]
Hello. You've reached
the hotel message center.
There are no new messages.
Thank you for using
the hotel message center.
Good-bye.
[ Crying ]
Oh, God.
I thought you
had already gone.
I missed my plane.
I had to stay at
the airport hotel.
You missed your plane?
There was
this ball game on.
You saw it?
With a bunch
of Yankee fans.
Grown men crying.
It was... perfect.
Heather saw it too.
I called her at school.
We were both so proud
of you, Billy.
What are you doing here?
I was-- I was
on my way to England.
Why?
Because you're there.
God, I thought--
I thought I was gonna
have an ocean...
to think about what
I wanted to say to you,
what I needed to say.
Billy, you
don't need to.
Yes, I--
[ Groans ]
jane, I used to believe--
I mean, I still do...
that if you give something
your all, everything you have,
it doesn't matter
if you win or lose...
as long as you
risked everything,
put everything out there.
And I've done that.
I did it in my life.
I did it... with the game.
But not with you.
I never gave you that,
and I'm sorry.
Okay.
Preboarding announcement
for Oceanic Airways,
flight number seven
to London.
I have to go.
All ticketed passengers
please proceed--
jane.
I've already
missed my plane once.
jane, listen.
I know I'm--
I know I'm really
on thin ice here, but...
when you said
that I didn't need you,
well, last night--
that should have been
the biggest night of my life,
and it wasn't.
It wasn't because--
because you weren't there.
So I just wanted
to tell you, not--
not to change your mind
or keep you from goin'.
But just so that you know--
[ Whispers ]
that I know...
that I need you.
I love you, Jane.
Oh.
I never believed.
Believe it.
Loving you
Makes me a better man
There's things
l don't know how to do
But you make me think l can
l got a long way to go
but l know what l know
Like the back of my hand
Loving you
Makes me a better man
l've been wrong
More than l care to say
Time after time
l've been lost
Just couldn't find my way
You shed a light on
a path through the night
Leading right to the site
where l stand
Loving you
Makes me a better man
Boy, you blow my mind
You can make me crazy
You make me laugh
You make me cry
keepin'my heart shook up
l'm so mesmerized, you're
the one who can save me
So say good-bye
Don't lead a lie
l think it's time
for the breakup
Baby, you're
my main attraction
Settin'off
this chain reaction
Just a little is enough
Just the thought
of your touch
That's the fun of your love
l la love, baby
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
The feeling inside
That's the thrill
of the ride
That's the fun of your love
l la love, baby
Oh, oh, oh
Let the days unwind
Let the dreams come true
Happy ever after, baby
ln your heart you'll find
l'll be there for you
Just a little's enough
Just the thought
of your touch
That's the fun of your love
l la love, baby
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
The feelin'inside
That's the thrill
of the ride
That's the fun of your love
l la love, baby
Oh, oh
That's the fun of it, baby
To, to, to ya
Ooh
That's the fun of it, baby
Baby, baby, baby
l see you in
a different light
Candlelight, moonlight
l see you in a different way
through different eyes
You're so nice
l see you like
l never seen you before
The way l want
to see you much more
For tonight
Tonight
l see you in
a different light
When did your kisses
get so sweet, baby
Babe
lt's such a sweet surprise
You made me
To look into your eyes
Oh, l see you
in a different light
ln a different light
Candlelight, moonlight
l see you in a different way
ln a different light
You're so nice
l see you like
l never seen you before
Like l never seen you before
The way l want
to see you much more
Baby, tonight, for tonight
See you tonight
l see you in
a different light
Candlelight, moonlight
Moonlight, candlelight
ln a different light
to see you in my eyes
Oh, baby, l see you
l see you
l see you, l see you
l see you, l see you
Like l never, never, never
seen you before
Oh, oh
l'm still seein'you, baby
l see you in
a different light
l see you, baby
l see you, baby
l see you, baby