- There are but a
handful of individuals
in this world whom I would
consider to have been touched
by whomever does the touching.
Albert Einstein, Thomas
Jefferson, Sir Isaac Newton,
and Joseph Patrick Finley,
sometimes known as "Cy,"
after the late, great Cy Young.
Who is Joseph Patrick
Finley, you wonder,
besides the son of Doctors
Archibald and Catherine Finley,
besides the finest friend
a friend could have?
Nobody special, at
least not in his eyes,
which is good in one way and
a problem in many others.
Suffice it to say, his
is a curious case.
- Watch your step, cockroach.
- 15, 16, 17, 18.
56, 57,
58, 59, 60.
Sixty feet, six inches.
- Man, I was doing 120, easy.
Easy.
Man, me and that ball
were neck and neck.
- Look, it is scientifically
impossible for that bike
to do 120 miles per hour.
- Then 100.
Then I'm right.
- You're never right.
Air confuses you.
- Probably more like 30, man.
- More like 90.
- The ball, maybe.
But not the bike.
- So what do you think Cy's
rookie card will be worth, huh?
- Forget the card, that's
chump change, man.
It's the arm.
What do you think that
cannon will be worth?
10, 15 mil a year?
- And that's not including
endorsements or bonuses.
Innings pitched,
strikeouts, E.R.A.,
all-star team appearances,
and the Cy Young award.
Factoring in inflation,
it'll probably be,
hm, 15 to 20 mil a year by then.
- Quit dreamin'.
- Start dreamin'.
And I'm gonna be your catcher.
- I'm gonna be your
slime-bucket agent.
What am I gonna do
with all that green?
Spend it fast.
- What are you doing?
- Check out the
first ingredient.
- Alcohol.
SD alcohol 38-B.
Are you kidding?
- Go ahead, it's a good buzz.
- You were born with a buzz.
- You can't get drunk
off this crap.
- It takes the edge off.
- Mouth, you are one
scary human being.
- Not half as scary
as you, Gump.
What's with the umbrella?
It's hot enough to grow a
cactus out of your butt.
- My mom said it was gonna rain.
- Oh, really?
And what'd she say
about the sky falling
and Chicken Little?
- It is supposed to rain, Mouth.
That's what the forecast said.
We'll be lucky if we make it
to tryouts this afternoon.
- We'll get to try out.
- We better.
- We will.
- Shit.
He's in our strike zone.
- Where you goin'?
- Other side of the school.
- It sucks over there,
and you know it.
- Come on, Mouth.
He won't be there later.
- And if he is?
- Other side of the school.
- And the next day?
- Other side of the
freakin' school.
- You're chicken-size chicken.
- It's got nothing
to do with that.
- Yeah, it's gotta
do with something
that you've never
heard of: range.
And I quote, "He who
fights and runs away",
"lives to fight another day."
- And I quote, "He who fights
and runs away is a pussy."
What about your pride?
- I've got pride
in other things.
- Like what?
Hayes doesn't give
a shit about us.
It's a mind game, and we're
playing right into it.
I'm sure if we ask him
to move, he'll move.
- Yeah, right after
he slits your throat.
- Then I'll slit his back.
- You really are a frightening
human being, Mouth.
- Strike him out!
Shit!
- Let's go to tryouts!
- Slow down, gentlemen.
It's gonna be awesome.
- Traveling in the team bus.
- Going to road games.
- Hanging with the guys.
- Spittin' seeds.
- Chewin' tobacco.
- Night games.
- Gettin' laid!
- You wish!
- Psh, just 'cause you
can't even see yours.
- You're an asshole.
- Do I irritate you?
Do I noseate you?
Do I disarm you?
- Hey! Hey, where is everyone?
- Hey, where are the tryouts?
- Thursday afternoon.
But uh, we already
got our bat boys.
- And mascot.
Come on, Baker, get
over the plate!
- What happened to the tryouts
for the 13 and 14 year olds?
- Canceled.
- Budget cuts.
- Yeah, diapers got
too expensive.
- Very funny.
- So how come no one told us?
- Why should they?
- 'Cause we walk
upright, that's why.
- Sorry, kids.
Them's the breaks.
- Them's the breaks.
Why is it always just the
little guys who lose out, huh?
What are we, invisible?
We don't count?
- Yup.
- Do you think we like
being the them's-the-breaks
generation?
You think we like having
no choice in the matter?
- Yup.
- So, you don't think we
like playing baseball
as much as you do.
Who decides?
Who makes the rules?
Who makes the budget cuts?
Why us?
Why not you guys?
- Because we can play the game.
You diseases, you're still
trying to figure out
how to throw the
ball over the plate
without having it
bounce a few times.
- Is that so?
Well, you just practice up,
because come Thursday afternoon,
my friend over there is going
to blow the ball right by you.
Laugh.
He throws so hard,
he'll make you look like a
ballerina in a hailstorm.
- That little twerp?
Tell you what,
why don't you go home and nurse?
- Ah, blow me!
- Whip it out.
- You got a forklift?
- I'll see you Thursday.
- No way in Hell, Book.
I'm not trying out.
- You have to.
- I don't have to.
Reason number one,
I'm not half good enough
to play on that team.
And reason number two...
- You're an idiot.
- Reason number two,
we all play together or
we don't play at all.
And reason number three...
- You're an idiot's idiot.
- Reason number three through
one thousand, my brother!
My brother's gonna
be on that team,
and if he so much as finds
out we were on that field,
he'll break both my legs
off and beat me with them.
- You'll still make the team.
- Save it, Book.
- I'm telling you, Joseph.
You gotta try out.
This one is in the stars.
It was meant to be.
My mom always said,
"Good comes from bad."
And I believe it.
Good always comes from bad.
- Move it!
- Asshole!
- Wait up!
Wait up, guys!
Wait up!
Coming through!
We were mad-dogged.
Billy Hayes mad-dogged us.
We were mad-dogged.
Goddammit!
We're dead.
- We weren't mad-dogged.
- And if we were?
- We weren't.
- And if we were, asshole?
They may as well be
feeding us to the lions.
- Which brings up an
interesting question:
Who is they?
Take a hit, Bookie.
You could use one.
- I think you could use the hit.
- Book was right, Mouth.
That was pretty stupid.
- Yeah, a full-page ad
could've been more effective.
- Come on, you guys
treat this guy
like he's some kind
of super villain.
Trust me, we're the last
thing on Billy Hayes' mind.
Chill.
- For the first time in your
life, I hope you're right.
- I'm always right.
- Ma?
Hey, Mom!
Mom?
- Hi, guys.
Remember me?
Um, it looks like your dad and I
are gonna be home
late again tonight,
'cause the hospital's a zoo.
So you guys, the
freezer's loaded.
Actually, I don't think it is.
I forgot to go to the market.
Oh, I'm sorry.
How was your tryout, Joey?
I can't wait to
hear all about...
- Dr. Pacelli to ICU, stat.
Dr. Pacelli to ICU, stat.
- I gotta go, sweetheart.
I promise, promise, promise
I will make your favorite
yummy dinner tomorrow.
I love you, Joey.
I love you, Dale.
See you in the morning.
- Right.
- Reuben?
Is something wrong?
- No.
- Are you sure?
- They canceled our
baseball league.
- They did? Why?
- Because you're buffoons.
That's why.
Everything this city
does turns into a mess.
Look at the parks.
Look at the police
and the schools.
They can't even afford
to buy their own books.
And that's why we're
getting you out of there.
Are your ready for
your entrance exam?
- Yeah.
- Good.
- But why do I have to go?
- Because you do.
- Yeah...
but why?
- I'll tell you why.
Because I was never
given an opportunity.
And because I'm working too hard
to see you wasting away in some
broken-down public school.
- But...
what about my friends?
- Your friends?
Huh.
Well, Reuben, your granddad
moved us when I was your age,
and I made new friends.
So you'll make new
friends, all right?
You make friends
wherever you go.
That's life.
- I have no desire to
go the creepin' school.
And he says I have no choice.
He won't even reason with me.
- Then screw him.
Don't go. I wouldn't.
- I can't do that.
- Sure you can, Bookie.
Tell him to take a hike.
That's what my mom
told my old man.
He never came back.
The asshole.
And then again, if
that don't work,
you can always do what
that kid in Wichita did.
- Oh, and what was
that, Oh Wise One?
- Blow 'em away.
- Let's play some ball!
Been such a long time
Since I've felt this good
Beginning to wonder
if I ever could
I know it sounds crazy
But I feel my luck is changing
Yeah, I'm back again
- You're going downtown, Finley.
Downtown.
- Stee-rike!
Next time. Next time.
Dos!
Greeting the
future face to face
We're back in the race
You might think that it's over
I got news for you
Don't be so quick
to count me out
'Cause it's never over
'Til the walls
come tumbling down
I'm out of luck
Thrown it all away
Yeah, back in the race
Get cooled off
Livin' life like
there's no tomorrow
Back in the race
To take a chance
Greeting the
future face to face
We're back in the race
- Home run! Home run!
Stop the presses!
I just dinged one off the
great Joseph Finley!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
- It was foul.
- No way, Book.
That was a home run,
fair and square.
- My condolences, but it
went left of the tree.
- Yeah, well that oak
tree is fair, you puke.
- That's not an oak.
It's a Monterrey
Pine, you pukette.
It's foul.
It always has been
and always will be.
You know it.
- Aw, go home and
molest yourself.
- You guys, let's
just give it to him.
- Nah, give him nothin'.
If I can strike lightning once,
I can strike it again.
Fetch.
- You fetch.
You hit it.
- You're in the outfield.
- You hit it.
- You said it was foul.
- So what?
- I'll go get it.
- No, no, no, no, Joey.
I'll go get it.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I'll go get it.
- Shoot.
- Somebody lose a ball?
- It's ours.
Thanks.
- Anytime.
Take care.
- Yeah.
Yeah, bro, you too.
He ain't a bad guy.
- By the way...
which one of you guys called
me an asshole yesterday?
You know, I'm just curious,
'cause usually I like to look
the limp dick in the eyes.
But hey, I just wanna know
who's been calling me names...
behind my back.
I'm not gonna hurt anybody.
Scout's honor.
You know what?
I don't ever wanna see
you guys here again.
Find somewhere else to play.
- Look, we don't
want any trouble.
If you want us to
do your homework
or make your lunch
everyday, you got it.
- You called me an
asshole, didn't you?
- It was me.
- No, I said it.
- Now I know it was
you, you fat coward.
Do you have any idea how fat
and stupid-looking you are?
Huh? Do ya?
Greasy, four-eyed
mound of blubber.
How do you live
with yourself, huh?
Piggy.
I asked you a question, Piggy.
Do you have any idea how fat
and stupid-looking you are?
Huh? Do ya?
Huh?
Answer me!
- Yes
- Yes, what?
- Yes, I do know how fat
and stupid-looking I am.
- I feel a whole lot better.
- Are you happy now?
- Excuse me?
- I said, "Are you
happy now, asshole?"
- You dumb
- Ah!
- I think it's time
somebody taught you
a little something
about respect.
- Eat shit!
- Oh, not a bad idea.
- No! No!
No!
- You wanna be a hero?
- No!
- Here's your reward.
You now have something
to wash it down.
- No!
No! No! No!
- Joey!
Joey!
- See you in school, champ.
- Joey, are you okay?
- Your arm.
- Hey!
Hey!
Where you going?
Oh, honey.
Look at...
oh sweetie.
How'd your hair
get all wet, huh?
- Cockroach?
Did one of your water balloon
fights get out of hand again?
- Tell me what happened, Joey.
- Yeah, Joey, tell
me what happened.
- Would you just get out?
- Come on, sweetie,
tell me what happened.
You don't have to
be embarrassed.
- I'm okay.
- Okay. You sure?
- Dr. Finley?
Dr. Finley?
- I'm right here.
I have to take this, okay?
Just one second.
I'll be right back, okay?
You know, sometimes
I just wanna.
Okay, I'm here
Uh-huh. So how are
the contractions?
Yeah, mm-hm.
And how many centimeters
is she dilated?
- Go to hell.
- What'd you say, you
- Hey, hey, guys!
Guys, come on!
Sorry.
You know, brotherly love.
Dr. Frank, can I
call you right back?
Just one second.
I'll call you right back.
- Time you learned
a little something
about respect, Cockroach.
One of my buddies
recognized your puny mug
from the field yesterday.
Don't go near it!
I'm warning you!
You're just a little bug who
thinks throwing a tennis ball
against the wall is baseball.
It ain't.
It's babyball.
- Joey? Dale?
- Smarten up.
- I wanna talk to you.
- Mom, I didn't touch him.
I didn't...
- I want to talk to you.
Joey, your brother's
just a great, big bully.
And someday, somebody
his own size
is gonna set him straight,
and I hope I'm there to see it.
Honey, until then though,
just ignore him or something.
Don't provoke him.
It just plays into
his hand, okay?
Sweetie, it's gonna be okay.
Honey, I promise,
everything will be okay.
You just take your time.
Take all the time you need.
And then when...
when you're ready,
you just come down
and have dinner with me, okay?
Be waiting downstairs for you.
You know, sweetheart, this is
all just part of growing up.
And sometimes it just isn't fun.
I love you.
I'm gonna take care of Dale.
Dale?
Dale?
Get outta your room and come
down to the kitchen now.
They're at each other
night and day now,
and I don't know what
we're gonna do about it.
- Honey, they're brothers.
I went through it,
and I survived.
And so will Joey.
They'll manage, okay?
- I'm going to the Principal's.
- Don't even think it, Bookie.
Come on, he'll only
mess things up.
- What then?
- Go to your locker.
What's he gonna do?
Knife you in broad school light?
Come on.
Follow me.
- Citizenship in Athens.
The democracy of Athens opened
participation in government
to all citizens.
However, citizenship was
a privilege reserved
for relatively few people.
Only men over the age of
18 could become citizens,
and except under
special circumstances,
a man became a citizen
only after his father had
already been a citizen.
- Hey, where you guys going?
- Home. Come on.
- I'm supposed to get
picked up by my mom.
My exam, remember?
- So what?
You want us to stay
and hold your hand?
- Hey, why are you such a jerk?
- Probably 'cause my dad left
the house when I was 10,
after throwing one too
many right hooks.
How's that?
- I'll stick around.
I got a few minutes.
- All right, I'll hang.
Chicken shit.
- So, what time are you
supposed to be there?
- Half hour.
Four.
I don't know why I'm going.
I'll be miserable there
for the rest of my life.
- You're going because you're
more afraid of your parents
than you are of Hayes.
- Hey, Reuben.
Glad I caught you.
- My mom.
She can't pick me up.
- Yeah, she's probably
getting her mustache waxed.
- How am I gonna get there now?
- Walk?
- You guys wanna walk with me?
- Sorry, Bookie.
I gotta get home and
babysit my siblings.
I'm late already.
- Joey?
- I gotta get home to
let the plumber in.
Sorry, man.
Hey, hey, why don't you run?
You'll be there
before you know it.
- Yeah, Bookie.
Hayes isn't around.
You'll be okay.
- You think so?
- Yeah.
Hayes lives in the
other direction.
You'll be fine.
- All right.
Wish me luck?
- Good luck.
- Break a nut.
Buck says he collapses
before he turns the corner.
Should be okay.
- Yeah. He'll be all right.
- Dude, I can't join them.
I'm not going.
And don't ask me any questions.
I don't wanna hear
a word about it.
- Okay.
- Oh man, my dad's home.
He's gonna kill me.
- Nonsense. Just
tell him you forgot.
And don't say a
word about Hayes.
You know your psycho dad.
He'll freak.
And Bookie, don't forget
my English homework, okay?
And my math.
And my biology.
- What do you mean, you forgot?
- I forgot.
- You never forget anything.
How could you forget this?
You've been studying
for it night and day.
Did you forget?
- Paul.
- Yes, I know.
I'm going to ask a question.
I would like a straight answer.
Did you forget?
- No.
Mom was supposed to pick me up.
- Well, you could've walked.
Why couldn't you walk?
What's the matter?
You got a big pair of
strong legs on you.
Come on.
If you try and throw
your education away,
you're gonna end up a loser.
You're not gonna be
on anyone's team.
Honey, why don't
you talk to him?
- I will.
- You listen to your mother.
- I hate him.
- No, you don't.
No, you don't.
Your dad just wants
what's best for you.
We both do.
Reuben, sweetheart,
I know you wouldn't
have missed that exam,
unless you had an
awfully good reason.
Reuben, what's going on?
- You have to promise
you won't tell Dad.
- I promise.
- You sure you didn't tell him?
- No way. I stonewalled him.
Told him I forgot.
Here's your English.
How's it look?
- Not bad.
- So how's the arm?
Ready for tryouts?
- Don't waste your breath, Book.
- You sure you didn't tell him?
Are you absolutely positive
that you didn't say anything?
- Are you questioning
my integrity here?
- No, I'm not questioning
your integrity.
I was just wondering
if you said anything.
- Well, I'm just wondering
if you're questioning
my integrity.
- Oh really, are you wondering?
- Morning.
So, how we all doing today?
Everyone okay?
Ready for tryouts?
Nice hat, Piggy.
I think I'll...
take it.
- Hey!
- Dad?
- Bully, come here!
Come here. Come here.
Come here. Come here.
Come here.
Listen.
If you so much as look
at my kid ever again,
I'll break every
bone in your body.
And if you don't believe
me, you just try me.
Huh, tough guy?
A real hero picking on
guys half your size.
How do like it, being
on the other side?
You like it?
Do you? Huh?
Do I make myself clear
this morning, son?
- Yes.
- Do I?
- Yes, sir.
- Don't you forget it.
I'll be watching you.
Get out of my sight.
Go, go, go!
Cheer up, guys.
Come on, Reuben.
Smile.
It's gonna be a long time
before that dirt bag
bothers anybody.
Now let me take you to school.
Let's go.
- Messed up big time, Book
- I told you, my mom
gave me her word.
I trusted her.
- You need to stop trusting her.
- She was probably
worried about me.
- She should be.
- Ahh, my back.
That hurt.
- Here, Piggy Piggy Piggy Piggy.
Oh, Piggy.
Here, Piggy Piggy Piggy Piggy.
Come on, Piggy, let's
go for a little ride.
Let's go.
- Ah! Get off me!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Let go of me!
- Where's your punk-ass
bitch now, huh Piggy?
- Get off of me!
- Thank your old man for
this one, dough boy.
You won't be needing this.
- Let me in!
Let me in!
- Get out of the way, move.
Come on, coming through.
I'm so sorry, man!
I'm so sorry.
I've never been
sorrier in my life,
I swear it.
We should never have
left you alone.
- I'm gonna kill him.
- Excuse me.
Let me through please.
Excuse me.
Jesus, what's going on here?
Oh, good Lord.
You sure I can't get you
something to drink?
Some water?
I'm sorry this happened, guys.
If only you would've
come to see me earlier.
We might've been able to
avoid this whole thing.
It's all in the past now.
What's done is done.
Now, the question
that is before us,
what to do next.
Any ideas?
- Hire a hit man.
- I think it's time that I sit
down with that boy's father.
How's that sound?
Guys, I've been down this
road hundreds of times.
If he sees that you're
not afraid to get help,
he'll back off.
Bullies are really
just cowards at heart.
That's why they pick
on someone smaller.
Let me talk with his dad.
Now, I've chatted
with him in the past.
It's always helped.
I know this will change things.
Don't worry, Reuben.
The worst is over.
And I will take care of Mr.
Hayes.
- A chat with Hayes' dad?
Oh, yeah. That oughta do it.
Principal Dick.
What a dick.
His old man's a dick.
His old lady was a dick.
His brother and
sisters were dicks.
They're all dicks.
They eat dick for dinner.
They sleep on dicks.
They drive dicks to work.
They brush and pick
their teeth with dicks.
They di...
- Shut up.
Shut up, already.
- Dick, dick, dick,
dick, dick, dick, dick.
- Dude, don't you
ever stop gabbing?
Maybe talking to Hayes' dad
isn't such a bad idea.
- Bull crap!
Not this talk to his dad shit.
Payback time.
Right, Bookie?
- Hello?
Speaking.
Principal Richard.
Fine, sir.
And yourself?
Good.
Good.
Is there a problem?
- Die, die.
- No, I can't work tonight.
I promised my kids.
Yeah, I promised 'em.
I'm coming!
- Die, die, die, die.
Get out of my way.
Die!
- Uh, honey.
Hey, guys, we're leaving.
- Die, die, die!
- Bye. Bye, guys.
Don't kill yourselves.
- So what are we gonna do?
- About your dad or Hayes?
- Forget my dad.
Hayes.
- I was thinkin' about
that on the way home.
It all depends on how far
you guys wanna take it.
Wait here.
- Dad, they're robbing the bank.
Why don't you carry a gun?
- I don't want to fire
and endanger your life.
- De-dum!
Your basic all steel
Smith and Wesson,
single-action .38 special.
Also referred to as burn,
heat, rod, steal, and juice.
- Where the hell
did you get that?
- I won it in a
poker game, Gump.
Where do you think I got it?
My mom keeps it under her
bed for emergencies.
- Is that thing loaded?
Nope, not anymore.
Test drive it.
- It's okay.
- Let me see it.
- Hasta la vista, baby.
- You shouldn't point
a gun at someone.
- Then what good is it?
Billy Hayes, there's a
new sheriff in town,
and this town ain't big
enough for the both of us.
Draw.
- Oh, man.
- My TV.
What am I gonna do?
- Your TV?
Your TV?
That coulda been me.
Just put that thing away.
- Bookie, what are
you talking about?
This is what we've
been waiting for.
This hunk of metal can
solve all our problems.
- Excuse me?
I don't think I'm
hearing you correctly.
Are you suggesting...
- Hold up here.
An hour ago, you said you
wanted to kill the guy.
And now?
I mean, gimme a break.
- Well that was different.
You know, I wasn't thinking.
- And you're thinking now?
- I am.
Yes, clearly.
- All right.
Don't get so uptight.
- Well thank God I'm uptight.
You're crazy.
We can't just blow the guy away.
- So what are we supposed to do?
Just sit there and take it?
- No, no.
We have lots of other choices.
- Like what?
The school?
Our parents?
Your useless dad?
Don't you see?
They don't get it.
They think this is all
part of life's lessons,
part of growing up.
But they haven't a clue
what we're feeling.
They don't have time to.
- We're talking about
a human being here.
Not an ant.
You can't just step on
him and forget about it.
- Book, why are you such
a yellow-bellied coward?
- If this is what
makes me a coward,
then I'm damn proud of it.
- Why are you such a jerk?
- Go home.
- Book!
Book!
Wait up!
You can come to my house.
Come on, Book.
Dad?
Hey, Dad!
Hey, Dad!
- Hey, big guy!
Oh! All right, that hurts.
That hurts quite a bit.
Down, boy, down.
Oh.
There he is.
How you doing, buddy?
What? What's the
matter with your arm?
- It's nothing.
- It's nothing?
Dale do this?
- Sort of.
- Sort of.
Aye, aye, aye.
What a jerk.
You know, it's kind of funny
how life repeats itself.
When I was your age,
I had the same kind of
deal with my brother.
Your Uncle Dave?
Yeah, you don't
believe me, do you?
I'm telling you,
this guy was crazy.
Got to the point where I
was afraid to go home.
You know what I did?
I devised a master plan,
and I followed it to the letter.
Stood right up to him.
After that it was like the
guy never even existed.
- What was the plan?
- I killed him.
I'm kidding.
Relax.
It was just some silly kind
of kid thing, but it worked.
Joe, what I'm trying
to say to you is
that you have my blessing
to do whatever it
takes to stop him.
I'll give you one little
piece of advice though.
Pick your battle.
You'll know when it's time.
- Dad, could I ask
you something?
- Sure, pal.
I'll tell you what.
I gotta head back to the
hospital and staple somebody up.
So we'll talk this weekend?
All right?
Sunday?
- All right.
- All right.
Let's go!
- Hey, that's my glove.
- Yeah. Thanks, Joey.
My webbing broke.
- He didn't even ask me.
- Joey, you're not using now.
He's late for practice.
His tryouts are Thursday.
- So?
- So, what's he supposed
to use, his bare hand?
- Yeah, it's my glove.
- See guys, right
here is the attitude
that dooms you from the start.
You guys have to learn
to give and take.
It's the only way.
Joe, I'll have a talk
with him all right?
- Sure.
- Listen, Dale.
Do me a favor and back off
your little brother, okay?
All right?
Give him a break.
- Yeah, sure Dad.
- Hi, guys.
I'm stuck at the
hospital again, um...
- Hello?
- Book. Book, listen.
Mouth's an idiot.
You just gotta ignore it.
Book?
If I could give you the world
If I could end
All the hurt inside you
Nothing that I would
rather rather do
Sometimes the sky
Feels awful blue
And if I could
end all your pain
If I could make it feel again
Believe me
There's nothing that I
would rather rather do
But sometimes the
sky's awful blue
- This work is unacceptable.
And sometimes
Sometimes the sky
Is awful blue
- So, here we are.
4:45 in the afternoon.
Bottom of the ninth inning.
Two outs, the bases loaded.
And the crowd on its feet,
loving every dramatic
moment of this one.
Roger Clemons is just one out,
perhaps one pitch away from his
sixth shutout of the year.
And up at the plate,
the menacing and always
dangerous Frank Thomas.
Oh, does he look mean.
Thomas leads the major
leagues in home runs.
So now we have the
dramatic match-up,
the power pitcher versus
the power hitter.
Thomas sets himself.
Clemons, staring in,
getting the sign.
The outfield is deep, very deep.
Clemons rocks.
Strike.
Thomas didn't even see it.
Well, fasten your
seat belts, folks.
Mr. Clemons is on
the launching pad.
Here comes the next pitch.
Strike two.
Thomas just staring at
the catcher's mitt.
He is stunned.
He cannot believe his eyes.
So, here we go, folks.
Two outs.
The count's oh and two,
and we have the master
of the long ball
staring down the master
of the fastball.
Clemons looks in, Thomas
determined as ever.
Here is the stretch.
And the pitch.
Fantastic!
Lightning right down the
middle of the plate,
and Thomas missed it by the
proverbial country mile.
Incredible.
Twelve strikeouts
for the rocket.
- What's up, Bookie?
Got a problem?
- Look at that.
Your pitch cracked the wall.
- You're such a dreamer.
- Call me a dreamer.
You have to try out tomorrow.
- Not a chance.
- You have to, okay.
You can't miss this opportunity.
- Look, forget it.
It's all of us or none of us.
- No, no, no, no, no.
It's you and only you.
Mouth and I, we're
a dime a dozen.
But you are a once
in a lifetime.
Ten years from now,
we'll probably be out
there playing slow-pitch.
But you'll be out there
winning the Cy Young Award.
- I can't.
- It's your damn
brother, isn't it?
- Look, just drop it, Mouth.
- You can't let him
run your life.
I mean, think about
you, not him.
He's not gonna kill you.
- It's worse than that.
You don't have to live with him.
You don't know what that's like.
- You're right, we don't.
But sooner or later you're
gonna have to stand up to him.
Because if you don't,
you're gonna regret it for
the rest of your life.
- We talkin' about Hayes here?
- Come on, Joey, you know
who we're talking about.
This is your chance to
kick your brother's butt.
- I'll think about it.
- All right!
- I said I'd think about it.
- And I said, "All right!"
Don't you worry, Cy.
Your brother is all bum.
- Yeah, and he's ugly, too.
- Ooh, great!
Now remember, you
gotta keep those hips
out in front or your shoulder.
Feel that weight transfer.
I just can't believe
your brain-dead brother
swiped your glove in the
middle of the night.
Ooh, he's going down.
- Come on, we're gonna be late.
- Hey, listen up.
I wanna welcome all of
you to tryouts today.
I wanna wish each and every
one of you the best of luck.
So what do you say?
Let's play some ball!
- Now remember, hips out
in front of your shoulder.
Feel that weight transfer.
Feel the weight transfer.
- Shut up, already.
I think he's got it.
You sound like a broken record.
- Damn!
- We're screwed.
- Maybe next year.
- Forget that, man.
I got it.
- No way, Mouth.
If he catches you,
he'll kill you.
He'll never touch me.
He hasn't yet.
- Yet. Don't be a hero.
It's not worth it.
- It most definitely is,
and we all know it.
- Don't, Mouth.
- Hey, asshole.
Where you been?
That's right, Hayes,
I'm talking to you.
Man!
- He's crazy.
- Yeah, but he's right.
Hold on.
But don't turn around.
Cy Young, they're calling
for you from the dugout.
- You animal!
- A good dog deserves his bone.
- Come on, boy.
Come on, boy.
Come on.
- Well, remember, hips out...
- In front of the shoulders.
- No cherries, no hooks.
- Just gas.
- Make us proud, Cy.
- I'll try to.
- Hey, good luck.
- Hey.
- Wow, lookie lookie.
- Girls try out
tomorrow, though.
- Cockroach, what the
hell are you doing here?
- Tryin' out.
Where's the signup sheet?
- Go home, Joey.
Don't embarrass me.
Home!
I'm not kidding.
Is something wrong
with your ears?
I said, "Go the hell home!"
- Oh, man!
Did you see that?
- What's going on over there?
- Hey, Finley.
- Coach.
- What's going on?
- Nothing, coach.
Just my little brother here.
He was on his way home.
Weren't you?
- No, I wasn't.
I'm here to try out.
- What position?
If you don't mind me asking.
- Pitcher.
- Hey, hey.
- Look, son, I know
you wanna play ball.
Heck, I did when I was your age.
But I don't think this is
the time or the place.
These guys are
bigger than you are.
They're stronger than you.
They play harder.
They hit harder.
They could slap a line
drive right through you.
It's not like playing
with your buddies.
I'm real sorry.
Maybe next year, all right.
I'll be looking
forward to it, kid.
Let's play ball.
- Yeah.
- Face it, bro.
Once a cockroach,
always a cockroach.
Now go home.
Take your stinkin' glove.
- Here's your glove.
Take it.
- Yee-haw!
Bye-bye!
Thanks for the workout.
Ahh!
(grunts
- I'm sorry, Joey.
I swear.
- I should never
listen to you jerks.
- How are we supposed to know?
- You're supposed
to listen to me.
You're supposed to clean
all the crap and gunk
out of your ears and listen.
- Okay, you're right.
We should've.
You still woulda
kicked their b...
- Book!
Give it a rest.
It's over.
- You woulda.
- Book!
You heard what the coach said.
Go home!
Just beat it.
Get lost.
- Isn't that Mouth's bike?
- Mouth?
Aw, man.
Hey!
- What do you faggots want?
- You.
- My pleasure.
- Drop it!
All right.
Cuff him to the post.
- You're not cuffing
me into a post.
- We're not?
- Not a chance.
- Cuff him.
- Don't touch me.
Especially you, Piggy.
Compliments of the chef.
- Give me that.
Back up.
- No, Piggy.
- Back up.
- No, Piggy.
- Back up!
- No, Piggy!
- Back up!
Back up!
Back up!
Back up!
Back up!
Why us?
Why?
Why, why, why?
Just because someone half your
size calls you an asshole
from two blocks away
that means to terrorize him?
Who gave you the right
to call me "Piggy?"
Huh?
Who gave you the right to
drag me out of a shower
and throw me into a
hallway full of kids?
Huh?
And who
gave you the right
to touch anyone?
Who?
God dammit, who?
- He's crying now.
How does that feel?
Does it feel good?
Does it feel anything?
Anything at all?
You don't feel...
a damn thing, do you?
Do you?
How's that feel?
And that?
And that?
And that?
What in the world can
you possibly feel, huh?
Your fist smashing
into somebody's face?
Your boot pounding
into someone's ribs?
Do you have any idea...
what it's like on the
other side of the boot?
On the other side of the fist?
Do you?
- Yes.
Yes.
- Yes, my ass.
- Where do you think I
got the black eye, huh?
Where do you think I got it?
Where do you think I
got the cracked ribs
and the bruises
and the broken wrist
and the half-dozen concussions?
From Fairy Godmother?
The Fairy Goddamn Godmother?
No, man.
I got it from my dad.
My very own dad.
Some for my birthday.
Some for Christmas.
Some for just being there.
My dad.
My hero.
- So he beats you
when you beat us.
That's sweet.
Boo hoo.
- Back off, Joey.
Back off.
We made our point.
He needs help.
- So let's give it to him
- You don't get it, do you?
- No, you don't get it.
You don't remember how frightened
and pathetic you were,
curled up half-naked with
your runny nose mushed up
against the door,
crying like it was the
end of the world.
How easily you forget the pain.
I don't forget the pain.
I don't forget your pain.
I don't forget Mouth's pain.
And I don't forget my pain.
I'm sick of it.
- Maybe it's your brother
you should be knocking off.
- Maybe you're right.
But Dale won't kill me.
Hayes might.
- Joey.
You can't.
This wasn't our plan.
It's murder.
- Correction.
It's self-defense.
- We can't.
- Let go, Book.
- We can't.
- Let go, Book.
- We can't.
- Let go, Book!
- We can't!
- What the hell's the
matter with you?
- Hey, stop it guys.
Cool it, man.
Cool it! Stop!
What are you doing?
Stop!
Get off of him!
Stop it!
- Joey?
- A gunshot wound to
the right shoulder,
clipped the brachial artery.
BP is seven over forty.
He's at 130.
Respiration is 16,
and level of consciousness
is in and out.
- Jesus, Joey!
- Dr. Rosenthall,
call your office.
Dr. Rosenthall,
call your office.
Maintenance to third floor.
Maintenance to third floor.
- Reuben, Ryan.
- Geez, what happened to you?
- I'm Officer Thompson.
This is Officer Maldy.
We understand there's
been a shooting.
Tell us about it?
Is there some kind of
problem here, gentlemen?
- No.
Look, we were...
- Officer?
Who are you?
- Um, Billy Hayes, sir.
This has all been a big mix up.
You see, we were all at my house,
playing with my dad's gun,
when it went off,
accidentally.
We had no idea it was loaded.
It was just an
accident, officer.
Just messing around.
Just playing a game.
- You don't play with guns.
Do you understand that?
Do you?
- Yes, sir.
- Somebody coulda been
killed here today.
Do you guys get that
somebody could have died?
- You're just fine.
I'm gonna stay right
here with you, baby.
I'm not gonna go anywhere.
I'm gonna stay right here.
- I'm sorry.
- Honey, there's nothing
to be sorry about.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Where is my husband?
Have you seen my husband?
Have you seen Dr. Finley?
Daddy's gonna be here.
Daddy is the best.
Only the best for
my little baby.
- So, here we are
six months later
and hopefully many lifetimes'
and sleepless nights' wiser.
Looking back, it's astounding
how a half-ounce of lead
can so easily change
the course of history.
Besides our folks taking our
pulse three times a day,
private school is out
for me, thank God.
Mouth's mom got rid of her gun,
and Joey's dad cut his
patient list in half.
And his mom's moved
her practice home
and made a ridiculous habit
of picking us up after
school everyday.
Hayes is around.
He keeps to himself.
He's kinder and gentler,
but we never really know.
As for us, someone once said,
"You don't always pay
in cash, but you pay."
We're still paying.
Not a day passes, where
we don't cringe,
ashamed of our actions
that afternoon.
It's never quite been the same.
I wonder if it ever will.
As for Joey's arm...
he's working on it.
- Don't worry about it, Joey.
- Let's go, little brother.
I've waited long enough.
You and me, right now.
It's time.
- Forget it.
- Well, huh, what's it gonna be?
- He can't.
He doesn't have
the arm strength.
- Aw, that's sweet, Book.
But he's a big boy.
Let him speak for himself.
- Your shoulder,
Cy, don't rush it.
- Book.
- It's time.
- Attaboy.
One official at-bat.
Winner rules the house.
Get out of my way, T-ball.
- What are you doing?
- Aw, man. You're crazy.
Your arm's not ready.
You're gonna blow it out.
- He's gonna hammer you, man.
Don't do it, Joey.
It's not worth it.
- I'll be okay.
- No, your arm is not ready.
- Trust me.
It's time.
Just get behind the plate.
No cherries.
No hooks.
Just gas.
- Play ball!
- Right here, C-Roach.
Nice big, fat, juicy one.
Oo hoo hoo hoo.
- Oo hoo hoo hoo.
- That's another area
code over there, buddy.
- Foul.
Thank God.
- Stee-rike one.
- Was that the best you can do?
Huh?
Why don't you give me a little
something with salsa on it?
Something other than
your change-up.
- Blow it by him, Cy.
- Oh, no.
He's taking off his girdle.
Oh.
- Yes!
- Oh and two.
Time to punch out.
- Shut up.
- Hey, uh, I saw your girlfriend
with Scooter last night.
She was walking real funny.
- Come on, Cy.
Come on, Cy.
- We knew right then and there
it was Cy's last pitch.
His hall of fame career was
over at the age of 14.
He had two pitches left in
that rocket of an arm of his.
And he used them
up on his brother,
some would say, senselessly.
But not Joe.
It was time, and he knew it.
- Yeah!
- Truce?
- Truce.
- Lucky pitch.
- No, it was a great pitch.
Hold this.
Here.
You deserve it.
And so that was it.
An arm for some sanity.
A long, long road,
but a fair trade, I'm sure.
And so, as my mom likes to say,
good comes from bad.
And if you really believe
good can come from bad,
even a tragedy can
have a happy ending.
Let's hope so.
And oh yeah, Joey never
did pitch again,
but he did take up soccer.
And the man with the golden arm
became the man with
the golden leg.
Been such a long time
Since I felt this good
Beginning to wonder
if I ever could
I know it sounds crazy
But I feel my luck is changing
I'm back again
I'm gonna win this time
Yeah, back in the race
Get cooled off
Living life like
there's no tomorrow
Back in the race
Take a chance
Meeting the
future face to face
We're back in the race
I think that it's over
I got news for you
Don't be so quick
to count me out
Yeah
'Cause it's never over
'Til the walls
come tumbling down
I'm out of luck
Thrown it all away
Yeah, back in the race
Get cooled off
Living life like
there's no tomorrow
Back in the race
To take a chance
Meeting the
future face to face
We're back in the race
I think that it's over
I got news for you
Don't be so quick
to count me out
Yeah
'Cause it's never over
'Til the walls
come tumbling down
I'm out of luck
Thrown it all away
Yeah, back in the race
Get cooled off
Living life like
there's no tomorrow
Back in the race
To take a chance
Greeting the
future face to face
Yeah, we're back in the race
For so long I've pulled away
For so long I've pulled away
But I'm not going
And I will fight
'Til I get back
Oh yeah
Back in the race
If you don't recognize me
It's 'cause I changed
And if the past reminds you
Of what could've been now
Now the future seems certain
Well, it's all been the same
You've got to realize
That I recognized
life's just a game
It's just a game
Today, man, people change
Today, man, people change
And I swear I could change
I swear I'm gonna change
Swear I can change my ways
Well, people change
Maybe I can change, too
If you don't recognize me
It's 'cause I changed
And if the past reminds you
Of what could've been now
Now the future seems certain
Well it's all been the same
You've got to realize
that I recognized
life's just a game