The Winning Team (1952) Movie Script
1
It's 12:00. Let's call it a day.
Did you hear me, Grover Cleveland Alexander?
I'll be right down.
(Ringing)
Woman: Number, please.
Hello, miss Elsie.
Would you please ring 3-1-j at Elba?
Oh, how are you, Grover?
Fine, miss Elsie.
I'm ringing Aimee for you.
(Telephone rings)
I'll get it, father.
Hello.
Woman: Hello, Aimee? Grover's calling.
Grover: Hello, Aimee.
Hello, Grover. Are you through for the day?
Yep.
Well, now, don't forget you're supposed to meet me.
And make it the Crandall place
instead of in town.
The Crandall place? Why there?
Don't start asking questions, Grover.
You just be there.
How long will it take you?
Well, we're about halfway out the central city road.
I can make it by 2:00, I think.
Say, don't forget, Ma's expecting you and your pa
over to our house for supper tonight.
Oh, we haven't forgotten.
Now hurry up, dear.
I will, Aimee.
Good-bye, Grover. Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Good-bye, Aimee. Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Bye, Grover. Bye, Aimee.
Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Father, won't he be surprised?
Yeah. I only hope I'm doing the right thing.
I ought to take all those calls to Aimee
out of your pay.
Have to test the circuits, don't I?
When are you and her going to get married?
Soon as I can save enough for a place of our own.
I've got a farm picked out now.
You can't play catch and plow at the same time, boy.
I got a picture of you being a farmer.
Is that so?
Me and Aimee's going to make a deposit
on the Crandall place,
get the bank to hold it
until I can raise the rest of the down payment.
You'll see. I'm the best farmer
ever worked for the phone company.
Man: Get up, baby.
Hey, that fella going to a fire?
Whoa, babies.
Alex, central city needs you
to pitch for them this afternoon.
They got up a game
with a barnstorming bunch of professionals.
This afternoon? Why don't they get Clay to pitch?
He got kicked by a horse yesterday.
Can't walk. He sure can't pitch sitting down.
They need you, Alex.
Pay you a dollar and a half for the game.
Who are they playing?
A real team, Alex...
Galesburg from the three-i league.
Regular paid ballplayers?
Yeah.
They're only playing this one game here,
then they keep on going east
to start their regular season.
They got uniforms and everything, Alex.
Central city needs you bad.
There won't be any game
without you to pitch for them.
Man: What time's the game start?
2:00. We've got to step on it
to get there in time.
Let's go!
Man: I don't want to miss this game.
Man #2: I don't want to miss any game Alex is pitching.
Man #3: Sure like to get a bet down
if Alex is going to pitch.
Yep, he's sure got his heart set
on being a farmer.
(Cow moos)
$186.50 on central city.
It's payday in these parts, Mr. Glasheen.
You giving odds?
Yes, sir, 2 to 1. You're covered.
Like taking candy away from babies.
That's their pitcher.
Yes, sir,
a fella could cut himself a chaw of tobacco
and work up a good spit
before that ball gets to the plate.
Umpire: Play ball!
All right, Schneider, get up there and get a hit.
We got a ground rule here...
If a fielder loses a ball in the grass,
you only get one extra base.
Well, boys, we're going to make a real killing today.
All right, Deke, get ahold of one.
Batter up!
Strike one!
Strike two!
Come on, Deke, get a piece of it!
Send this hayseed back to the farm!
Come on, Alex, right in to me.
The big one, boy. The big one.
Right in here.
Quite a hayseed, ain't he?
Father, I'm sure he isn't off playing baseball
because he knew that he was supposed to meet us here.
He couldn't have forgotten.
Aimee, if you want to marry the boy,
I'm not a-going to stand in your way,
but I ain't a-going to help you to do it, neither.
I knew I was wrong when I agreed
to put the down payment on this farm
for you wedding present.
Well, now I'm not a-going to do it.
Well, I know he has a reason. He must have.
Because I know that boy ain't cut out
to be any farmer.
He ain't cut out to be anything
but just what he is...
A fella that wants to play.
Come on. Let's go over to his mother's place.
Just because he disappointed us,
there's no reason for us to disappoint her.
What a wonderful surprise
it would have been for him.
You keep on counting on Alex,
you're the one that's going to get all the surprises.
Giddy-up!
Glasheen: Come on, you can do it now!
Get ahold of one!
Come on, you can hit him!
That's a way, baby. That's a way.
Come on, hit that ball!
Work hard, Alex. Work hard, baby.
Umpire: Strike three! You're out!
Can't you hit that bus her?
Strike one!
Come on, Allie boy.
Let's get this man out of here.
Make a batter of him, boy.
Pour it through here.
Come on, Allie boy. Right in to me, baby
right into me!
(Crowd cheers)
All right, get in there,
and just don't stand there
and let him throw it by you this time.
Get a hit!
Ninth inning, two men out,
and you're telling me to get a hit?
Imagine us getting shut out by a hayseed.
Aw, come on, pinky, you can do it now.
You can do it.
All right, get a hit now, pinky boy!
Get a hit!
Umpire: Strike one!
Come on, get on! He's taking all our dough!
Strike two!
Doesn't that guy never throw anything but strikes?
Right in to me, Allie boy.
Right in to me.
That's it! You did it!
Whoa.
Maybe you could tell Aimee...
No, she'd never believe that.
I don't know what I was thinking about.
Alex, with a woman,
you've got to let her know right off who's boss,
or after you're married
she'll just make your life miserable.
Tell her you were playing baseball.
Dare her to do anything about it.
Thanks for the lift, Fred.
Hello.
Did you win?
Yeah.
What team did you beat, Grover?
Galesburg, a real league team.
Gee, mom, I'm sorry about being so late.
Aimee's in the kitchen.
Her father went home right after supper.
Oh.
What was the score?
1 to nothing.
Aimee's awful mad at you, Grover.
Hello, Aimee.
Guess I'm kind of late for supper, huh?
Well, it was this way, Aimee.
You see, right after I talked to you,
Fred came along,
and he said how this professional team
was going to play central city,
except there wouldn't be any game at all
if I didn't pitch
on account of Clay got kicked by a horse.
So there was nothing I could do about it
since everybody was counting on me.
Of course, you couldn't disappoint everybody.
Well, no. You see how it was.
Yes, I do see.
You don't want to get married and settle down.
Now, Aimee...
I had the most wonderful surprise all ready for you, too
that's why I asked you to come to the Crandall place.
Father was all set to make a down payment
as a wedding present
so that we could get married and have a place of our own.
And what do you do? You go out and play baseball.
Well, you spoiled everything.
Maybe if I explain to your father.
You see, this wasn't just an ordinary ballgame.
This was a real team I pitched against.
These fellas make their living playing baseball,
and I beat them.
Oh, you'd have been real proud
if you could have seen the way
I set them back on their heels.
I didn't walk a single man.
They only got three hits off me.
Oh... Look.
I got a dollar and a half for pitching that game,
and here's my $35 pay from the phone company.
We'll get that farm,
and without any help from your father.
He doesn't think that I should ever marry you.
He said it doesn't make any difference
what you do for a living.
If anybody came and asked you to play baseball,
you'd drop everything and go play.
Well, he's wrong, and I'll prove he's wrong.
I got it all figured out. In three months,
I'll have enough saved for the down payment,
then we get married.
We'll both prove he was wrong,
that is unless you feel about me
the way he does.
Do you, Aimee?
I promise I'll never do it again. Honest.
Grover, I don't care
if you play baseball once in a while,
but it shouldn't be your whole life.
It should just be something to sort of relax you,
like when father plays checkers, you know,
or like when Mr. Johnson makes little boats
and puts them in bottles.
From now on, baseball's a hobby.
I'll even let Johnson teach me
how to make little boats and put them in bottles.
Promise.
All right.
Now come eat your supper.
The chicken got tired of waiting, too.
Minister: We're all ready to begin.
Please, be seated.
We are now going to be entertained and educated
by the famous explorer, traveler, and lecturer
Mr. Carlson cotton.
We are indeed fortunate that Mr. cotton
was able to delay his trip east in order to stay over
and exhibit his marvelous pictures in this community.
I'm sure I speak for all the members of my congregation
when I say we are honored by your presence, sir,
both at our church services and now.
Mr. cotton: Thank you.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Please, close the doors.
Today we are going to visit Norway.
(Click)
This is Norway.
Uh, focus, please.
And turn the slide around.
Of all the countries on our globe,
little Norway must, in some respects,
rank as the most wonderful.
Nearly one-third of its area
lies within the arctic circle.
Very cold, you say? Ah, no.
(Car backfiring)
Nature's miracle,
the Gulf stream and it's warm breath,
transforms an otherwise barren region
into a fertile land.
(Turns off engine)
Please, close that door.
(Door closes)
I arrived in Christiania
and went directly to the hotel Victoria.
After a hearty breakfast of herrings,
I went in search of Bennett.
I asked everyone, "where is Bennett,
the living encyclopedia of Norway?"
Where's Alexander, the pitcher?
I'm looking for Grover Cleveland Alexander.
You in here, boy?
Who is he?
I say, my good man, we are gathered here...
Oh, excuse me, buster.
Alexander, wherever you are, come on outside.
I want to talk to you.
Oh, there you are.
Glad to see you, boy. Glad to see you.
Couldn't find you in the dark. Yes, sir.
(Door closes)
Drove all the way up from central city to find you.
I wanted to tell you
what a fine game you pitched yesterday.
Thanks, but we're right in the middle
of a lecture in there,
you remember me, don't ya?
I'm George Glasheen,
manager of the Galesburg team.
Sure.
What do you do for a living, Alexander?
Work for the phone company.
Did you ever think of playing ball for a living?
Used to think about it a lot till last night.
Well, I got a couple of gloves
and a ball in the car here.
Throw me a few. I want to see what you've got.
Glad to.
How long you been pitching?
Ever since I can remember.
If I wasn't throwing a ball,
I was throwing a rock.
You had pretty good control yesterday.
Were you lucky, or do you have it all the time?
Just show me where you want it, Mr. Glasheen.
Put it high and outside.
Mr. cotton: Now, let's see, where was I?
Oh, yes.
Anyway, the farmer and his wife
were very hospitable and gave me a fine supper.
(Ball hits glove)
As I was leaving,
I turned to the wife and said...
Glasheen: Show me a curve!
(Ball hits glove)
I asked her if Norwegians preferred pork to fish,
and she replied...
Glasheen: Hot ziggity! Now burn it in!
(Ball hits glove)
You got a lot of stuff on that ball, boy.
Oh, just practice.
How'd you like to join my team?
Pay you $100 a month.
100... Aimee, he said he'd pay 100...
I heard what he said.
Your girl?
Yeah. Amy, this is Mr. Glasheen. He...
You ought to be ashamed, both of you,
yelling and throwing that ball
and making a big racket right during the lecture.
Why, I never.
Don't you have any manners at all?
What about it, Alexander?
He is staying right here,
and we're going to buy a farm and get married,
and you can go...
You can go right back where you came from.
Aimee, wait a minute.
Grover Cleveland Alexander,
you made me a promise last night.
Do you remember it?
Sure, I do, but, Aimee, $100 a month.
And it would only be for the summer,
wouldn't it, Mr. Glasheen?
Grover?
Aimee, don't you see?
We could have all the money we need
by the end of the summer if I join the team.
You made me a promise. Either you keep it or not.
Now make up your mind.
She'll get over it.
Girls are nuts about baseball players.
Not that girl.
We're playing Omaha this Wednesday.
If you want to take my offer,
be there and be ready to pitch.
Make up your mind, boy.
Strike three! You're out!
You're out!
Glasheen, where'd you find this Alexander?
Shh.
I found him in my Christmas stocking.
Here, have a drink.
Nice going, boy. Here, have a drink.
Great game.
No letter for me, huh?
No, Mr. Alexander.
(Hummingtake me out to the ballgame)
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and cracker Jack
I don't care if I never get back
Hey, trashy song.
Thanks.
He's broke too many promises, Aimee.
Don't believe him anymore.
I think he means it this time.
Look, more money for the farm.
Maybe he really is only playing
in order to buy it.
That's what he told me.
He's told you a lot of things, Aimee.
Not a one of them has come true yet.
(Crowd booing)
Umpire: Ball three.
Ball four!
Time!
That pitcher's really washed-up,
giving you a free ride.
Well, you're going to win your 16th straight today, boy.
He ain't won it yet.
Listen, I don't want you to take no slides, you hear?
You might hurt your arm.
All right now. Heads up.
Take a good lead now.
You're all right.
(Screaming)
Alex.
Aimee?
Yes, dear.
This is Aimee.
Hello, Aimee.
Hello.
Your mother's here, too.
Hello, mom.
Hello, son.
How'd you get here so quick?
It's been almost three days.
Oh?
You're not mad at me anymore?
Every time we'd get to a new town,
I'd hope there'd be a letter waiting for me.
Never was.
Grover, I put all the money that you sent in the bank.
We have enough now for a down payment on the farm,
if you still want it.
Sure.
You want a drink, son? Here, let me.
No, mom. Wait a minute.
Grover, what's the matter?
Nothing.
I'm twice as good as I ever was.
I see two of everything.
Tell me when you see just one.
One now?
No, still two.
Mm-hmm. Let's try it again.
How's that?
It just won't come together, doc.
Mm-hmm.
Well, there's no doubt about it...
Diplopia.
What's that mean?
Double vision
caused by injury to the eye muscles.
How long will it take to fix him up, doc?
I don't know.
There's nothing medicine can do to help him.
Sometimes these cases clear up in a few weeks,
or it might be for the rest of your life.
You mean he can't pitch anymore?
Kind of wondering how straight a furrow
I'll be able to plow on that farm of ours.
Best pitcher I ever had... Ever seen...
And I was worrying about his arm.
That's just my luck for you.
Well, anyway, I can see two of you.
Makes you twice as pretty.
Come on, you're going to ride
to your new farm in my new automobile.
Aimee: Look at it. It's wonderful.
Tell me if you need me to come over tomorrow
to help you get started with your planting.
I'll send one of the boys over tonight
to do the milking for you right after supper.
You take good care of my little girl, you hear?
I aim to, Mr. Arrants.
All right. Get in, you two.
Woman: Bye, Aimee!
Good-bye. Good-bye.
Here we go! We're off!
(Car backfires)
Hey, John, shouldn't you better get a horse?
You'd make better time if you walked, Grover.
Wind her up again, Jim.
(Backfires)
(Backfires)
Faster than a car. Whoa.
Give me a horse anytime.
Them automobiles is just a fad.
Good-bye. We're proud to have you, dear.
Good-bye.
Take good care of her.
Bye, Aimee!
Good-bye!
I'll send the boys over tomorrow to help out.
Come on, boys.
Bye!
Good-bye!
Bye!
Thought I only made a down payment on one house.
One's for summer, one's for winter.
All my wives get carried over the threshold.
Well, I could have sworn there was a door there.
Me, too.
Say, it seems like we're all set up.
Don't we have wonderful friends?
Look how they fixed up our house for us.
This was your mother's favorite table,
and Mrs. Robin's chair.
Real nice.
Real comfortable. Try it.
Come quick. Look.
Oh.
Look.
Doesn't it look good?
Say, maybe they figured on being invited in.
Unh-unh.
Only two people are going to be
at my honeymoon supper... Me and my husband.
I'll go change.
Dear?
(Banging noises)
And he does that every day?
(Bang)
I think he knows that he can't ever play again,
but he keeps on trying.
But he's through.
Well, if you knew that, Mr. Glasheen,
how could you do this?
Trade him to Indianapolis?
Oh, that has nothing to do with it.
You know, business is business.
Well, good-bye, Mrs. Alexander.
Don't you want to say hello to him?
Oh, I figure it'd be better if I didn't.
You know, it might upset him, remind him of...
Just tell him I said good luck.
Oh, and, Mrs. Alexander,
I know you ain't much of a fan,
but leastwise you know you're married
to a guy who could have been
the greatest pitcher baseball ever had.
(Bang)
Let's quit, Grover. I'm tired.
Just a few more.
(Music box playing)
There's a merry little man we know
And to everybody's house he'll go
When the weather's at a cold degree
Can't you guess who it can be?
Old Saint Nicholas, you're the one
We jump for joy whenever
Oh, so jolly old Saint Nicholas passes by
Spreading spirit with a twinkle eye
Kids: old Saint Nicholas overhead
You hang a twig of merry mistletoe
And old Saint Nicholas, gay are we
Catching kisses 'neath the yuletide tree
How does it feel to be such a Mr. big
King of the party each year?
How does it feel to be so full
Of captivating Christmas cheer?
Captivating Christmas
Old Saint Nicholas, here's to you
A toast for bringing goodies to the young
And old Saint Nicholas, hip, hooray
Have a happy Christmas day
Have a happy Christmas day
Da da da da dum
Da dum da da da da da
Dum da da da da da Dee
Da da da da dum ta da da da da
Dum be da da bum bum bum
Bum bum bum bum bum
Old Saint Nicholas, here's to you
A toast for bringing goodies to the young
And old Saint Nicholas, hip, hooray
Have a happy Christmas day
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Have a happy Christmas day
Have a happy Christmas day
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Those are for Christmas.
This is for the day before.
Here's your mail, Grover.
Oh, thanks.
I'll bet they're Christmas cards.
Hurry and open it.
Oh, isn't that a beautiful one?
"Greetings and best wishes for Christmas."
It's from peewee Johnson.
He played shortstop for Galesburg.
Oh, did he? Look, mom.
Oh, look. Isn't this beautiful?
All: Oh!
Isn't that pretty?
Oh!
Is that another one?
It's from the Philadelphia nationals.
The Phillies? That's a big league team.
What is it?
It's from Charles Doohan, manager.
"This is to inform you we have purchased
"your contract from Indianapolis.
"Spring training begins march 4th
"in Southern pines, north Carolina.
"I'm looking forward to meeting you then.
I know you'll be a big asset to our team."
They can't trade me much higher, can they?
Why do they do that to him,
keeping up his hopes, breaking his heart?
Aimee.
Mom, it's so awful for him.
He's tried so hard to be a good farmer,
to be everything that I wanted him to be,
and all the time he's sick inside
because he can't ever pitch again.
You know something, mom?
Hmm?
I used to think it'd be a lot better
if he liked another girl,
then at least I could compete against her
and win or lose,
but I couldn't compete against his love for baseball.
Anybody would have been second to that.
Now, Aimee...
Mom, I was glad when he had his accident.
You don't mean that, Aimee.
Yes, I do.
Deep down in my heart I was glad
because it meant that he could never play again,
and that meant that I wouldn't
have to share him with the game.
Now I realize how wrong I was,
and I'd do anything if I could help him.
Mom, I love him so much.
I want him to be happy.
I want him to be able to do all the things
that he wants to do.
Now I know that I can't help him.
I can't give him the things that he wants and needs.
Oh, mom.
(Door opens and closes)
(Baseball popping in glove)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
Aimee.
Oh, darling.
Oh, darling.
If we're going to be in north Carolina
in time for spring training,
we have to leave tomorrow.
Aimee.
What about the farm?
Oh, we could talk to ray.
He'll take care of everything for us.
Sure he will. Sure.
Peanuts. Who'll have the peanuts?
Peanuts here.
I will. How much are they?
Five for a dollar.
Who'll have a bag of peanuts here?
That-a-boy, Alex.
Hit this target, kid.
(Pop)
(Pop)
Hello.
Hello.
I think it's plain silly
to play a preseason game
between the Phillies and the athletics.
Connie mack has a world champion team.
The poor Phillies haven't been
out of the second division
since I can remember.
You mean the Phillies aren't very good?
You can't make chicken salad
out of chicken feathers, honey.
Have they announced the batteries yet?
The what?
The batteries... Who's pitching.
Oh. My husband is supposed to pitch the first five innings.
That's him down there warming up with William Killefer.
His name is Grover Alexander.
Well, I'm glad to meet you. Your name's Aimee, isn't it?
Uh-huh.
Bill's told me about you and your husband.
I'm Margaret Killefer.
Oh, I'm pleased to meet you.
I didn't see you at spring training.
Wasn't there.
Uh-oh. Isn't that Eddie plank
that's going to pitch for the a's?
Is he good?
In a way... Only won 22 games last year.
Is that all?
My husband told Mr. Doohan, the manager,
that he figured on winning at least 25, maybe more,
and he's just a rookie.
And what did Mr. Doohan say?
Nothing.
I can't think of anything, either.
Oh. Peanut?
Thank you.
Man: Batteries for today's game...
For the athletics, plank pitching, lepp catching.
For the Philadelphia nationals,
Alexander pitching,
Killefer catching.
Alexander, you're pitching the first five innings
if you can last that long.
You'll get murdered, but you'll learn something.
Yes, Mr. Doohan.
Now remember something...
You got eight men helping you out there,
so don't be trying to strike everybody out.
You'd be wasting your time anyway.
You might hurt your arm.
Just tease them with that curveball.
Umpire: Play ball!
Be smart. Save that arm.
All right, come on. Let's go.
Let's get out there, show these world champions
they can't have everything their own way today.
The first batter up
will be Eddie Collins, Alex.
He hit .322 last year, .492 in the world series,
but don't let that bother you.
Just don't throw him anything waist-high.
Umpire: All right, play ball!
How are you, reindeer?
Fine, Eddie. How's it with you?
You guys give up too easy,
starting a rookie against us.
Everybody's got to begin someplace.
All right, gang, let's go. Play ball.
I can't call them till you throw them, boy.
Yes, sir.
All right, Alex.
Ball!
That's bad, isn't it?
That's bad.
Ball!
Come on, Grover!
Ball!
Settle down now, Alex. Pitch to me, boy.
This white thing's the plate, boy.
You're supposed to come somewhere close to it.
Strike!
That's good.
Strike!
That's it. Pour it on, boy. You can do it.
Where did you get this kid, bill?
Indianapolis. Why?
They can have him back right after this next pitch.
Come on, Grover.
Strike!
Aah!
You're out.
Same rules as last year, Eddie...
Three strikes to a customer.
You're out. Next batter up.
Hornsby coming to bat.
What's this St. Louis rookie's first name?
Rogers... Rogers Hornsby.
He's too anxious in the field,
and he can't hit.
Alexander struck him out twice now.
Once more, and the cards will send him
back to the minors.
It's now or never.
Strike!
Time.
Time.
What's the matter, bill?
If this Hornsby kid doesn't get a hit,
Huggins is going to drop him.
We've got this one on ice.
Tell him I'll put it right down the middle.
Play ball.
It's coming right down the middle, kid.
Strike!
I told you it would be right in there for you.
That hit was a present, Hornsby.
It's the best one I'll ever get.
What a great guy.
Play ball.
How does Alex feel about him and bill Killefer
being sold to Chicago?
Well, he's looking forward very much
to wearing a cub uniform
and, of course, playing for Mr. Wrigley.
In fact, he went to see him this morning
at Catalina island.
How does Alex stand in the draft?
Is the army taking him?
He received his greetings yesterday.
When does he have to report, Mrs. Alexander?
Tomorrow.
Hi, Alex!
How does it feel being with the cubs?
When are you going to start throwing grenades
instead of baseballs?
I'm sure Aimee answered all your questions.
Seeing as how I haven't got much time left,
I'd kind of like to spend it with her.
Okay, Alex. Good luck.
Just one picture, please.
Smile, please.
Ready...
Thanks a lot.
Good luck, Alex. Bye now.
Bye.
And how's Mr. Wrigley?
Oh, he's wonderful.
Is he?
He's about the nicest man I ever met.
Sit down.
I told him I was worried
about how you were going to get along
while I was in the army.
Well, we don't have to worry anymore.
You know what he's going to do?
What?
He's going to send you a check for $500
every other month as long as I'm gone.
We talked it all over while we were playing golf.
He asked me if I thought it sounded fair,
and when I said it did,
he told me to stop talking or he'd miss his putt.
He's quite a fella.
So are you.
Oh, and if I'm not back inside of three years,
he's going to give you $10,000.
Alex, if anything happens to you,
I'll never speak to you again.
Man: One degree left!
Fire when ready!
Ready!
Fire when ready!
What's the matter, sarge?
I don't know.
I just got dizzy all of a sudden.
Fall out!
Aimee!
Alex!
She saw me first.
I'm so glad to see you. Are you all right?
I'm all right now. How are you?
I'm all right now.
Hey, what did you do to your hair?
You gettin' bald?
No. It's the latest style. Do you like it?
I love it.
Hey, let's go someplace and get out of this crowd,
start on another honeymoon.
It will have to be on a train.
Because we have to go to Chicago
and join the team right away.
It can be a slow train.
One that will take us weeks to get there.
Announcer: Batteries for today's game...
For New York, Mathewson pitching,
Jones catching.
For Chicago,
Alexander pitching,
Killefer catching.
Man: Hey, welcome home, Alex!
Man #2: Welcome home!
Welcome home, Alex!
They remember you, don't they?
You've given them something to remember, Alex.
This Pittsburgh club is hot, leading the league.
They'll be tough to beat here on their own ground.
Now, you all remember foy.
He was with us early this season...
No arm, no speed.
Whenever he gets on second base,
we'll change our signals.
If there's any chance of that guy
getting as far as second,
we wouldn't have sold him, would we?
All right, let's go.
Oh, I forgot my glove.
Hey, Alex,
the coach wants you to warm up right away.
Hey, Alex, did you hear me?
(Crowd cheering)
(Women screaming)
What's going on?
You passed out on the mound.
If that ain't the silliest thing I ever done.
How's the game?
It's over for you, Alex. Take your shower.
I'm all right. There's only a few innings left.
He thinks you got a sunstroke.
I'm not sending you back out there
for another one.
Go on back to the hotel and get to bed early.
You need some rest.
You know what that temperature
is out there?
I wouldn't be surprised if both teams folded up
before they finish this one.
I used to plow all day when it was 110.
Never fazed me before.
Did you say the first time before the game began,
it was like your mind revolving?
Well, yes. It was kind of like
a bright light inside my head,
so bright it hurt my eyes.
It was real strange, everything moving, and...
I almost didn't make it to a bench.
Any of these sensations a second time
while you were pitching?
No. I started my windup...
Nothing. I didn't know anything
till I came to in the locker room.
When was it you were hit by that baseball?
I had double vision for almost a year after that.
Any of these blackouts during that period?
No. During the war, I had a few dizzy spells,
but never fainted or anything.
Were you wounded?
No. Hard of hearing for a while.
Being a gunnery sergeant's
not what you'd call a quiet job.
What did you do before you played baseball, Alex?
Farming mostly. Worked for the phone company.
Aimee... That's my wife...
We got a little farm just outside of Elba, Nebraska.
Why?
Farm work would be good for you.
Are you telling me I got to quit baseball?
If you want to live out your normal life expectancy.
Baseball is my life, doc.
Alex, doctors don't know much about your kind of trouble.
You'll have periods when you'll feel just fine,
then one of these blackouts will hit you.
You'll never know when, never get much of a warning.
You can fall down anywhere, any time...
While pitching, at bat, running the bases,
sitting at a table in a restaurant,
and each time it happens,
it will take strength out of you
that will never come back.
No fixing it?
How are you at keeping a secret, doc?
I'm good at it,
but you can't keep this kind
of thing secret very long, Alex.
You came to me
because you didn't want your team doctor to find out,
but when he does, you'll be out of baseball.
I don't want my wife to know.
Alex, you've set records in baseball
that will never be topped.
Why don't you retire, go to your farm?
With the price of hogs as high as it is...
If I'm going to fall down again,
I don't want to do it in a pigsty.
I've got it.
Here, keep the change.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Alexander.
Aren't you Grover Cleveland Alexander?
Yeah.
Well, say, come on in. I'd like to buy you a drink.
Well, come on.
Hey, Johnny,
look who I found... Alex the great.
Sure glad to know you, Mr. Alexander.
Fix him up, Johnny.
It ain't often we get the best
pitcher in the national league
as a customer.
Hey, I was at Forbes field today.
What happened to you?
The heat... Too much sun.
Yeah, it sure was a broiler, all right.
On the house, Mr. Alexander.
That's the real McCoy.
None of that bathtub stuff. Chaser?
Huh?
A little seltzer?
Yeah.
Is this what they mean about getting drunk?
'Cause you feel real light and airy and...
Like your feet aren't really on the ground.
You're not drunk. You talk too straight.
It's like the world's a real fine place,
and there's nothing to worry about
and nothing to ever be afraid of.
You're getting there, Alex.
This is almost the most wonderful feeling I ever had.
It's like...
I know I'm me,
and I know what's wrong.
You don't know,
but I know.
It doesn't seem to matter so much anymore.
You're getting mighty close, Alex.
As soon as you start feeling sorry for yourself,
then you're almost there.
Operator: Number, please.
Walden-8239.
Woman: Pittsburgh tribune.
Sports desk.
Just a moment, please.
Man: Hello?
Hello, this is croslyn. Zimmy around?
Hold on.
Zimmy: Yes?
Zimmy, got a big story for your column.
Grover Alexander passed out on the mound
in today's game, didn't he?
Yeah.
From the heat, my eye. The guy was loaded.
Baby, your big dream pitcher's a great, big lush.
Margaret, what's happening?
Why is he doing this?
I've got to go to St. Louis and find out for myself.
But the team will be home day after tomorrow.
But I can't even get him on the phone.
What's done this to him?
There must be some reason for this.
I mean, there must be some reason.
(Crowd booing)
Get down! Get down! Get down!
Safe!
Time.
Medkovich!
Anybody could slip, Joe. The grass is a little wet.
Medkovich now pitching.
Can't you even talk to me anymore, Alex?
After all we've been through together?
You can tell me. You can tell me anything.
There's nothing to tell.
Darling, what's happened to you?
You never drank before. Why now?
All of a sudden... Why?
Alex...
What are you afraid of?
Stop badgering me, Aimee.
(Door shuts)
(Meow)
(Door buzzer)
Well, I've looked every place I can think of.
He hasn't even been to the speakeasies
that he usually goes to.
(Telephone rings)
Hello?
Man: Hello. Mrs. Alexander?
Yes.
This is the Lincoln park police station.
We've got your husband down here again.
All right, Aimee, I'll go get him.
Thanks, bill,
but I won't be here when you get back.
I haven't helped him by staying.
Maybe I can help by going away.
Yes, baseball fans, this was a sad season
for one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever known.
Grover Cleveland Alexander,
who really earned the title "Alex the great,"
drank himself right out of baseball.
Seemingly overnight,
the genial big farmer from Nebraska
turned from baseball to the bottle.
Whatever it was that changed Grover Alexander
from the greatest control pitcher of all time
into a stumbling has-been
is a mystery to the men who played with and against him.
They are saddened by what has happened to Alex,
and so are we.
He was once a great man.
(Turns off radio)
Woman: Pittsburgh press.
Hello, Pittsburgh press,
I guess I want your sports department.
Just a moment, please.
Man: Hello?
Hello, my name is Conant, Dr. Johnson Conant.
Could you possibly tell me
where I could get in touch with the wife
of Grover Cleveland Alexander?
So when I heard that radio broadcast, I felt it my duty
to find out if you knew the facts about your husband,
even though I'd promised to keep the information secret
for the sake of his career.
Why didn't he tell me?
Don't start blaming yourself, Mrs. Alexander.
After all, you didn't know.
Frankly, I'm amazed he managed
to hide his affliction at all.
Everybody thought that...
Even I thought, doctor, those times when he...
I thought it was from drinking.
I don't wonder.
From what I've learned,
many of those times probably were from drinking.
Shouldn't drink at all in his condition.
I can understand why he does.
Maybe it makes him less afraid.
Maybe he thought it better for you and others
to believe it was liquor that made him fall down.
Where is he now? Do you know?
No.
Take one of these, Mrs. Alexander.
It will relax you.
Don't worry about me, doctor. I'm all right.
It's him. I left him when he needed me.
If there's anything I can do...
Thank you very much for writing and explaining.
I've got to find him.
What do you mean, you're dependable?
You on the wagon?
I promise you
I'll always be sober on the mound.
I don't know.
All the stories I've heard about you...
I can win you a lot of ballgames.
I can still pitch.
I can only pay you by the game.
I can't put you on salary.
That's all right with me.
I'll give you 20 bucks when you pitch,
but you got to stay
at least six innings to earn it.
And when I win?
I'll make it 25.
House of David's got itself a pitcher.
Get into uniform. Work out with the boys.
You guys must be pretty good
with that hidden ball trick.
Man: I'm sorry, Mrs. Alexander.
I have no idea where he might be.
Well, if you should hear where he is, Mr. McGraw,
would you please let me know? Thank you. Bye.
I haven't seen him, Aimee, but I'll ask around
and let you know the minute I hear.
Down! Down! Slide!
You're out.
All right, men, let's get out in the field.
Alexander, are you drunk again?
Not much. Fremont, warm up.
Not drunk.
Not...
All right, drag him to the locker room.
This is the last time you'll have to do it.
He's through.
He pitched one game with an amateur team
in Joplin, Missouri.
Then he played two weeks
with a semipro outfit in Marshall, Texas.
Then this morning the investigation agency
that we work with in Nashville
wired they had a lead that your husband is playing
with a team called the house of David.
Do they know where the team is?
No, but we're working on it.
Mrs. Alexander, I'll let you know
as soon as we find out.
Thank you, Mr. Blake.
No, miss Alexander,
he left my team in Texas more than two weeks ago.
I don't know where he is. Sorry...
Unless he's under a table in some speakeasy.
(Carnival music playing)
Man: Come and seeel diablo,
the world's greatest fire-eater.
Learn all about baseball from the one and only.
Grover Cleveland Alexander the great.
If you are interested in baseball,
there's the man who will answer all your questions.
Do you want me to go inside with you?
Alex the great, the great baseball player.
Step up and buy yourself a ticket, little lady,
and give yourself a treat.
El diablo: That had a vanilla flavor.
(Audience laughs)
Tasted more like custard.
Anybody who would like to try it
just hold your face up here.
Have a little drink.
(Applause)
And now, my friends,
you can show your appreciation
for the talents ofel diablo
by purchasing one or more of his photographs.
(Taps on door)
All right, Alexander,
get it up here.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
before we move on to the stellar attraction
of the museum, and, of course, by that,
I mean the one and only flea circus,
where you will see the most amazing,
the most incredible performances of all time,
but right now I would like to have your attention here.
You baseball fans, move in a little closer
because right here on this stage
you are going to see, hear, and be able to ask questions
of the one and only Alex the great.
Grover Cleveland Alexander
broke into big-league baseball in 1911.
He has set many pitching records
which will never be equaled.
He is going to tell you some of his secrets.
(Whispering) Two minutes, Alexander,
and don't start no arguments with no customers,
you understand?
It's a pleasure to talk to true baseball fans.
I broke into big-league baseball
with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911.
I won 28 games my first season.
13 of those were shutouts.
In 15 years of big-league competition,
I've won 318 games
for an average of better than 21 wins per season.
How many did you lose?
I lost 171.
How does it feel to be living off the fleas?
Well, it's better than having them live off of me.
(Audience laughs)
I have often been asked,
"who's the toughest batter to pitch to?"
Any pitcher can answer that one...
Rogers Hornsby.
The only safe way to pitch to him
is low and behind him.
Now if any of you would like to ask me
some questions about baseball,
I'll do my best to answer them.
What right have you got to stand up there,
talking about baseball?
You never did nothing
but give baseball a bad name.
Woman: Aah!
Where is he, Aimee?
I'll send him some money so that he can...
But it isn't money that he needs.
What can I do to help Alex?
Believe in him, give him a chance.
Let him play baseball again, Rog.
But, Aimee...
Don't you understand?
It isn't enough that I believe in him.
Baseball's got to believe in him, too.
Well, I'll have to think it over.
Please, Rog, give him back his life.
Aimee, I'll do the best I can.
I'll let you know one way or the other.
Bye.
She wants me to take him on.
How can I, bill?
You're the manager of the cards.
You can hire and fire.
I'm responsible for the team.
We're going along pretty good.
I'm even crazy enough
to believe we can win the pennant.
How can I risk taking Alexander on?
What'll I tell the owners?
You know Alex is through.
Well, isn't he?
That's what everybody says... "Alex is through."
Well...
Except I don't believe it, Rog.
As long as Alex can stand on his two feet,
he's still the pitcher I'd want to have in there
if we were in a tough spot, and so would you.
Hey, Mr. Alexander,
a scout's here from the St. Louis cardinals
to see you.
Tell him to wait a minute.
Come in.
Rogers Hornsby needs you
and wants you to report to the team right away,
and here's a telegram to prove it.
Why didn't you tell me?
It is truly amazing what Rogers Hornsby
has been able to do with this St. Louis team.
Last year, the cardinals entered the 1925 season
at the bottom of the second division.
This year, with a roster of nothing but rookies,
cast-offs, and has-beens, Hornsby has turned the cards
into the most formidable baseball club
in the national league.
Grover Alexander,
who practically kicked himself out of baseball,
was given another chance by the cards' manager
and paid off
with the most amazing comeback in sports history.
Time after time, Hornsby has literally lifted
his weak but scrappy team by its bootstraps
and forced them to be better
than anybody could believe was possible,
good enough to win the national league pennant,
the first in St. Louis cardinal history.
But now, the big question is,
what possible chance have these worn-out cardinals got
against the mighty Yankees in the world series?
The Bronx bombers are unquestionably
the most powerful aggregation of baseball players
ever assembled on one team.
The wise boys are putting it on the line
that the Yankees will win four straight.
The best that can be predicted
is that the St. Louis cardinals
will at least go down fighting.
(Click)
Thank you very much.
Maybe we shouldn't even bother to show up
at the Yankee stadium tomorrow.
Hey...
Look at this.
What do they mean, "old man"?
I don't mind that so much, but I wouldn't wear a beard
even when I was playing with the house of David.
They should all be so old and so wise.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
This is Graham macnamie bringing you
the first transcontinental sports broadcast in history.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen,
it's the world series coast to coast.
Yankee stadium is packed with the largest crowd
to ever attend any baseball game.
There are more than 61,000 fans here.
Miller Huggins is starting pitcher herb Pennock
against the cardinals.
Pennock won 23 and lost 11 during the season.
Catching is Henry sevareid.
The starting pitcher for St. Louis
will be wee Willie sherdel,
a 16-game winner for the season.
Catching him is Bob O'Farrell.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the first game of the 1926 world series
is about to begin.
And here comes the first pitch.
Strike!
Strike!
Stay with it. You got the big one left.
Strike!
You're out of here.
You can hit him, Joe.
That Pennock's going to be a tough one to hit.
This kid Lazzeri looks tougher to pitch to
than Ruth or Gehrig the way he crowds that plate.
I'd throw him a lot of curve balls,
keep it low and outside.
Might be a mistake to feed him a strike
on the first pitch, too.
(Crowd cheering)
See what you mean.
5 on the cards will win me how much
on tomorrow's game?
200. That's good odds.
Yeah, but 1,000 to 1 ain't no good
when the cards can't win.
What do you want from me?
The question in this second game is,
who's going to pitch for the cardinals?
Manager Rogers Hornsby hasn't yet made his choice.
The yanks will murder anybody
they put on the mound.
You're so right.
Announcer, on P.A.: Batteries for St. Louis...
Pitching, Grover Alexander. Catching, Bob o'Farrell.
Alexander? What are you doing, Hornsby,
throwing the series?
Ha ha ha!
Brother, we can't help but win.
Alex's record for the cards has been 9 wins and 7 losses.
He's an experienced, smart pitcher,
but it's going to take a lot of arm
to hold off Ruth, Gehrig, and company...
Murderer's row.
Look who's going to pitch. Why, he's a has-been.
Why don't you go home?
I got my rights, lady.
Woman: Aw, sit down.
Umpire: Play ball!
Ball!
Look him over, combs! He'll walk ya!
You bet he will.
What did I tell you, lady? He's a has-been.
Man: Get him, baby!
Come on, babe, send this guy back to the bread line.
You said it.
Rogers: That's a boy, Alex. Come on now.
That-a-boy, Alex!
You're out.
It's a double play! What did I tell you?
Oh!
Come on.
Strike!
Here comes run number 2 for the Yankees,
and Alexander is in trouble
for the second time in this 2nd inning.
Time.
Time.
There goes Hornsby to talk to Alexander.
It looks like the old warrior is all through.
I'm just wondering, Alex,
why don't you and Walter Johnson and I
go to north Dakota for our duck hunting this year?
Yeah, if I ever get this ballgame over with, Rog.
No, no, Hornsby's leaving Alexander in the game.
Macnamie, on radio: One man, and one man only,
is responsible for this victory...
Alexander, the forgotten man of baseball.
Alex the great, cool and calm on the mound,
set down the Bronx bombers with only four hits.
Even the mighty babe Ruth failed to get a hit
off the old master.
Those who said Grover Cleveland Alexander
was through can eat crow tonight.
I wonder what crow tastes like.
I should have bet that 5. I could kill myself.
That wouldn't be a bad idea.
(Laughter)
And so, for St. Louis at the end of the 9th,
I run, 1 hit, no errors,
one man left on base.
We go into the last half of the 9th inning
with St. Louis leading New York 10 to 2.
It's the last chance for the Yankees,
and a slim one it is.
Grover Cleveland Alexander has pitched brilliantly,
allowing only eight hits in eight full innings.
Making his second appearance in this world series,
the old master has never once been in any real trouble,
allowing only I run in the 3rd,
another in the 6th.
Man: Come on, Alex, you can do it.
Man #2: Come on, baby, that-a-boy.
And it's another double play...
Hornsby to theuenow to bottomley.
Two out, nobody on,
and Huggins is sending in a pinch hitter
for ervin shocker.
All right, Alex, all the way.
Strike! That-a-boy!
Crowd: Alex! Alex!
Alex! Alex! Alex!
And he's done it again.
For the second time in this series,
Grover Alexander has beaten the Yankees,
beaten them down into the ground.
Alex the great has tied up the series,
made it three and three.
"It was a pure case of head and heart"...
That's you...
"And the fans recognized it.
"They responded with screams, applause, and tears.
"There has never been so loud, long,
and continuous a demonstration in the history of baseball."
I heard it.
You don't hear much from the stands
when you're out there, but I heard that one.
Well, they all say the same thing.
You, my dear, are the hero of the series,
but from now until spring training next year,
you're going to be the laziest hero
anybody's ever seen.
Course, I know that you want to be out there tomorrow
to watch your team win.
They wouldn't dare let you down
after the way you kept them in the series, would they?
Anyway, I'm going to stay here,
and I'll get us all packed and check out of the hotel.
Then when the game is over,
you meet me at the Pennsylvania station,
and we're off to Florida on our vacation,
and I told Rog and Walter Johnson
that if they want you as a partner this fall,
they're going to have to switch from duck hunting
to deep-sea fishing.
You must be so tired, Aimee.
Why should I be tired?
I've pitched a lot of baseball this season.
A couple of times there today
I didn't think you'd be able to finish that game for me.
Once in the 4th,
again in the 9th,
I felt one of those things coming on.
I looked over at the box seats,
and there you were.
You gave me the strength to fight it off.
I've been stealing strength from you all season...
Every game, every pitch.
Without you there,
I couldn't have done any of it.
I know it, Aimee.
Without you, I'm just half a man
waiting to black out.
God sure must think a lot of me
for giving me you.
Going, going,
and it's gone.
A towering home run into the right field bleachers,
and the bambino, the mighty babe Ruth,
is trotting around the bases.
That gives the Yankees 2 runs,
but St. Louis still leads 3 to 2
in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Card pitcher Jess Haines really looked sick
when he heard the babe's bat connect with that one.
If St. Louis can hold their 1-run lead to the end,
it will be the biggest upset of any year.
Both Jess Haines for the cardinals
and Waite hoyt for the Yankees have pitched brilliantly.
Woman: Order, please.
Hello. Would you please send a boy
right away. To 382 for bags?
Thank you.
Here's the pitch to combs.
It's a drive over Hornsby's head
into short center field.
Combs pulls up at first with a single.
Out.
One out, combs on second, and the babe at bat.
Haines is walking Ruth.
Hornsby's trying to set him up for a double play.
Ball four,
and the bambino goes to first with a free pass.
Long Bob meusel steps up to bat.
Haines stretches, throws,
and meusel hits to shortstop theuenow.
Babe Ruth was forced out at second,
but Hornsby's throw to bottomley was too late.
So we have Yankee runners on first and third,
two out, and Lou Gehrig coming to the plate.
Your husband pitched two great games, Mrs. Alexander.
Certainly did, and we're out in front
on this one 3 to 2.
Thank you. Come back and see us again.
We will. Thank you. Bye.
Macnamie: And the pitch almost got away
from catcher o'Farrell.
Taxi, please.
(Blows whistle)
The crowd watching that electric board
has got the streets all jammed.
You might have to take the subway, Mrs. Alexander.
Oh, no.
(Blows whistle)
Ball four, and the bases are loaded.
This is a crucial moment, ladies and gentlemen.
It may mean the series.
Time.
Time.
And there goes Hornsby walking over
to talk to Haines.
What's the matter?
Seem to be working up a blister.
Can't control the ball, huh?
No. It's making me pretty wild.
Wonder who Hornsby's going to put in to pitch now?
Alex.
Huh?
Rog says he wants you, Alex.
Me? Not again today.
I'm not even warmed up.
Well, he says he wants you.
Tell him I'm on my way.
He's coming.
(Crowd cheering)
You must get me a taxi.
I've got to get to the Yankee stadium.
(Blows whistle)
The fans here are going mildly insane
as the hero of yesterday's game,
Grover Alexander,
walks slowly in from the cardinal bullpen.
I'm sure that no pitcher in baseball history
has ever walked into a more desperate situation.
The Yankees have loaded the bases.
Tony "push 'em up" Lazzeri, the hard-hitting,
brilliant Yankee second baseman is at bat.
A single can put the Yankees ahead,
can win the series for them.
Well, Alex...
I remember what bill Killefer said.
He said, "as long as Alex can stand on his two feet",
"he's still the pitcher I'd want to have in there
when we're in a tough spot."
Well, you can see how things are.
What do you think you can do with Lazzeri?
Well, there don't seem to be
any room left on the bases for him.
Warm up as long as you like. I'll stall for time.
Can't you go any faster?
I'm sorry, Mrs. Alexander. The traffic's pretty heavy.
Could be, could be...
Foul ball.
Ball one.
Take it easy. Take your time, boy.
Ball.
Fire it up, Alex.
Alexander is wild.
He's run the count to three and one on Lazzeri.
Another ball, and he'll walk in the tying run.
Come on, Alex. Stay with him, boy.
Strike!
Can you go faster, please?
I sure can, Ma'am.
Strike three!
Just listen to that crowd.
If baseball fans ever had reason to cheer,
Alexander just gave it to them,
striking out Tony Lazzeri in the last of the 7th
with the bases loaded,
but there are two more innings to go.
Can Alex hold off this now-desperate New York team
that needs only 1 more run to tie up the ballgame?
Hey, officer, what happened in the 7th?
Alexander struck out Lazzeri with the bags loaded.
Hot-diggity!
This is Mrs. Alexander in back.
How do you do?
We've got to get to the stadium.
Well, get going.
(Blows whistle)
Now it's top of the 9th.
If Alexander can hold off the Yankees for three more outs,
he'll be the greatest hero in world series history.
That's it. We hold them now, we win the series. Let's go.
You all right, Alex?
Yeah.
Sure been a pleasure, Ma'am.
Thanks.
Is Alex still pitching?
Yes, Ma'am.
Strike!
You're out.
Two away, Alex.
One more, we can start our vacation.
Strike!
Strike!
Strike three!
It's 12:00. Let's call it a day.
Did you hear me, Grover Cleveland Alexander?
I'll be right down.
(Ringing)
Woman: Number, please.
Hello, miss Elsie.
Would you please ring 3-1-j at Elba?
Oh, how are you, Grover?
Fine, miss Elsie.
I'm ringing Aimee for you.
(Telephone rings)
I'll get it, father.
Hello.
Woman: Hello, Aimee? Grover's calling.
Grover: Hello, Aimee.
Hello, Grover. Are you through for the day?
Yep.
Well, now, don't forget you're supposed to meet me.
And make it the Crandall place
instead of in town.
The Crandall place? Why there?
Don't start asking questions, Grover.
You just be there.
How long will it take you?
Well, we're about halfway out the central city road.
I can make it by 2:00, I think.
Say, don't forget, Ma's expecting you and your pa
over to our house for supper tonight.
Oh, we haven't forgotten.
Now hurry up, dear.
I will, Aimee.
Good-bye, Grover. Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Good-bye, Aimee. Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Bye, Grover. Bye, Aimee.
Good-bye, miss Elsie.
Father, won't he be surprised?
Yeah. I only hope I'm doing the right thing.
I ought to take all those calls to Aimee
out of your pay.
Have to test the circuits, don't I?
When are you and her going to get married?
Soon as I can save enough for a place of our own.
I've got a farm picked out now.
You can't play catch and plow at the same time, boy.
I got a picture of you being a farmer.
Is that so?
Me and Aimee's going to make a deposit
on the Crandall place,
get the bank to hold it
until I can raise the rest of the down payment.
You'll see. I'm the best farmer
ever worked for the phone company.
Man: Get up, baby.
Hey, that fella going to a fire?
Whoa, babies.
Alex, central city needs you
to pitch for them this afternoon.
They got up a game
with a barnstorming bunch of professionals.
This afternoon? Why don't they get Clay to pitch?
He got kicked by a horse yesterday.
Can't walk. He sure can't pitch sitting down.
They need you, Alex.
Pay you a dollar and a half for the game.
Who are they playing?
A real team, Alex...
Galesburg from the three-i league.
Regular paid ballplayers?
Yeah.
They're only playing this one game here,
then they keep on going east
to start their regular season.
They got uniforms and everything, Alex.
Central city needs you bad.
There won't be any game
without you to pitch for them.
Man: What time's the game start?
2:00. We've got to step on it
to get there in time.
Let's go!
Man: I don't want to miss this game.
Man #2: I don't want to miss any game Alex is pitching.
Man #3: Sure like to get a bet down
if Alex is going to pitch.
Yep, he's sure got his heart set
on being a farmer.
(Cow moos)
$186.50 on central city.
It's payday in these parts, Mr. Glasheen.
You giving odds?
Yes, sir, 2 to 1. You're covered.
Like taking candy away from babies.
That's their pitcher.
Yes, sir,
a fella could cut himself a chaw of tobacco
and work up a good spit
before that ball gets to the plate.
Umpire: Play ball!
All right, Schneider, get up there and get a hit.
We got a ground rule here...
If a fielder loses a ball in the grass,
you only get one extra base.
Well, boys, we're going to make a real killing today.
All right, Deke, get ahold of one.
Batter up!
Strike one!
Strike two!
Come on, Deke, get a piece of it!
Send this hayseed back to the farm!
Come on, Alex, right in to me.
The big one, boy. The big one.
Right in here.
Quite a hayseed, ain't he?
Father, I'm sure he isn't off playing baseball
because he knew that he was supposed to meet us here.
He couldn't have forgotten.
Aimee, if you want to marry the boy,
I'm not a-going to stand in your way,
but I ain't a-going to help you to do it, neither.
I knew I was wrong when I agreed
to put the down payment on this farm
for you wedding present.
Well, now I'm not a-going to do it.
Well, I know he has a reason. He must have.
Because I know that boy ain't cut out
to be any farmer.
He ain't cut out to be anything
but just what he is...
A fella that wants to play.
Come on. Let's go over to his mother's place.
Just because he disappointed us,
there's no reason for us to disappoint her.
What a wonderful surprise
it would have been for him.
You keep on counting on Alex,
you're the one that's going to get all the surprises.
Giddy-up!
Glasheen: Come on, you can do it now!
Get ahold of one!
Come on, you can hit him!
That's a way, baby. That's a way.
Come on, hit that ball!
Work hard, Alex. Work hard, baby.
Umpire: Strike three! You're out!
Can't you hit that bus her?
Strike one!
Come on, Allie boy.
Let's get this man out of here.
Make a batter of him, boy.
Pour it through here.
Come on, Allie boy. Right in to me, baby
right into me!
(Crowd cheers)
All right, get in there,
and just don't stand there
and let him throw it by you this time.
Get a hit!
Ninth inning, two men out,
and you're telling me to get a hit?
Imagine us getting shut out by a hayseed.
Aw, come on, pinky, you can do it now.
You can do it.
All right, get a hit now, pinky boy!
Get a hit!
Umpire: Strike one!
Come on, get on! He's taking all our dough!
Strike two!
Doesn't that guy never throw anything but strikes?
Right in to me, Allie boy.
Right in to me.
That's it! You did it!
Whoa.
Maybe you could tell Aimee...
No, she'd never believe that.
I don't know what I was thinking about.
Alex, with a woman,
you've got to let her know right off who's boss,
or after you're married
she'll just make your life miserable.
Tell her you were playing baseball.
Dare her to do anything about it.
Thanks for the lift, Fred.
Hello.
Did you win?
Yeah.
What team did you beat, Grover?
Galesburg, a real league team.
Gee, mom, I'm sorry about being so late.
Aimee's in the kitchen.
Her father went home right after supper.
Oh.
What was the score?
1 to nothing.
Aimee's awful mad at you, Grover.
Hello, Aimee.
Guess I'm kind of late for supper, huh?
Well, it was this way, Aimee.
You see, right after I talked to you,
Fred came along,
and he said how this professional team
was going to play central city,
except there wouldn't be any game at all
if I didn't pitch
on account of Clay got kicked by a horse.
So there was nothing I could do about it
since everybody was counting on me.
Of course, you couldn't disappoint everybody.
Well, no. You see how it was.
Yes, I do see.
You don't want to get married and settle down.
Now, Aimee...
I had the most wonderful surprise all ready for you, too
that's why I asked you to come to the Crandall place.
Father was all set to make a down payment
as a wedding present
so that we could get married and have a place of our own.
And what do you do? You go out and play baseball.
Well, you spoiled everything.
Maybe if I explain to your father.
You see, this wasn't just an ordinary ballgame.
This was a real team I pitched against.
These fellas make their living playing baseball,
and I beat them.
Oh, you'd have been real proud
if you could have seen the way
I set them back on their heels.
I didn't walk a single man.
They only got three hits off me.
Oh... Look.
I got a dollar and a half for pitching that game,
and here's my $35 pay from the phone company.
We'll get that farm,
and without any help from your father.
He doesn't think that I should ever marry you.
He said it doesn't make any difference
what you do for a living.
If anybody came and asked you to play baseball,
you'd drop everything and go play.
Well, he's wrong, and I'll prove he's wrong.
I got it all figured out. In three months,
I'll have enough saved for the down payment,
then we get married.
We'll both prove he was wrong,
that is unless you feel about me
the way he does.
Do you, Aimee?
I promise I'll never do it again. Honest.
Grover, I don't care
if you play baseball once in a while,
but it shouldn't be your whole life.
It should just be something to sort of relax you,
like when father plays checkers, you know,
or like when Mr. Johnson makes little boats
and puts them in bottles.
From now on, baseball's a hobby.
I'll even let Johnson teach me
how to make little boats and put them in bottles.
Promise.
All right.
Now come eat your supper.
The chicken got tired of waiting, too.
Minister: We're all ready to begin.
Please, be seated.
We are now going to be entertained and educated
by the famous explorer, traveler, and lecturer
Mr. Carlson cotton.
We are indeed fortunate that Mr. cotton
was able to delay his trip east in order to stay over
and exhibit his marvelous pictures in this community.
I'm sure I speak for all the members of my congregation
when I say we are honored by your presence, sir,
both at our church services and now.
Mr. cotton: Thank you.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Please, close the doors.
Today we are going to visit Norway.
(Click)
This is Norway.
Uh, focus, please.
And turn the slide around.
Of all the countries on our globe,
little Norway must, in some respects,
rank as the most wonderful.
Nearly one-third of its area
lies within the arctic circle.
Very cold, you say? Ah, no.
(Car backfiring)
Nature's miracle,
the Gulf stream and it's warm breath,
transforms an otherwise barren region
into a fertile land.
(Turns off engine)
Please, close that door.
(Door closes)
I arrived in Christiania
and went directly to the hotel Victoria.
After a hearty breakfast of herrings,
I went in search of Bennett.
I asked everyone, "where is Bennett,
the living encyclopedia of Norway?"
Where's Alexander, the pitcher?
I'm looking for Grover Cleveland Alexander.
You in here, boy?
Who is he?
I say, my good man, we are gathered here...
Oh, excuse me, buster.
Alexander, wherever you are, come on outside.
I want to talk to you.
Oh, there you are.
Glad to see you, boy. Glad to see you.
Couldn't find you in the dark. Yes, sir.
(Door closes)
Drove all the way up from central city to find you.
I wanted to tell you
what a fine game you pitched yesterday.
Thanks, but we're right in the middle
of a lecture in there,
you remember me, don't ya?
I'm George Glasheen,
manager of the Galesburg team.
Sure.
What do you do for a living, Alexander?
Work for the phone company.
Did you ever think of playing ball for a living?
Used to think about it a lot till last night.
Well, I got a couple of gloves
and a ball in the car here.
Throw me a few. I want to see what you've got.
Glad to.
How long you been pitching?
Ever since I can remember.
If I wasn't throwing a ball,
I was throwing a rock.
You had pretty good control yesterday.
Were you lucky, or do you have it all the time?
Just show me where you want it, Mr. Glasheen.
Put it high and outside.
Mr. cotton: Now, let's see, where was I?
Oh, yes.
Anyway, the farmer and his wife
were very hospitable and gave me a fine supper.
(Ball hits glove)
As I was leaving,
I turned to the wife and said...
Glasheen: Show me a curve!
(Ball hits glove)
I asked her if Norwegians preferred pork to fish,
and she replied...
Glasheen: Hot ziggity! Now burn it in!
(Ball hits glove)
You got a lot of stuff on that ball, boy.
Oh, just practice.
How'd you like to join my team?
Pay you $100 a month.
100... Aimee, he said he'd pay 100...
I heard what he said.
Your girl?
Yeah. Amy, this is Mr. Glasheen. He...
You ought to be ashamed, both of you,
yelling and throwing that ball
and making a big racket right during the lecture.
Why, I never.
Don't you have any manners at all?
What about it, Alexander?
He is staying right here,
and we're going to buy a farm and get married,
and you can go...
You can go right back where you came from.
Aimee, wait a minute.
Grover Cleveland Alexander,
you made me a promise last night.
Do you remember it?
Sure, I do, but, Aimee, $100 a month.
And it would only be for the summer,
wouldn't it, Mr. Glasheen?
Grover?
Aimee, don't you see?
We could have all the money we need
by the end of the summer if I join the team.
You made me a promise. Either you keep it or not.
Now make up your mind.
She'll get over it.
Girls are nuts about baseball players.
Not that girl.
We're playing Omaha this Wednesday.
If you want to take my offer,
be there and be ready to pitch.
Make up your mind, boy.
Strike three! You're out!
You're out!
Glasheen, where'd you find this Alexander?
Shh.
I found him in my Christmas stocking.
Here, have a drink.
Nice going, boy. Here, have a drink.
Great game.
No letter for me, huh?
No, Mr. Alexander.
(Hummingtake me out to the ballgame)
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and cracker Jack
I don't care if I never get back
Hey, trashy song.
Thanks.
He's broke too many promises, Aimee.
Don't believe him anymore.
I think he means it this time.
Look, more money for the farm.
Maybe he really is only playing
in order to buy it.
That's what he told me.
He's told you a lot of things, Aimee.
Not a one of them has come true yet.
(Crowd booing)
Umpire: Ball three.
Ball four!
Time!
That pitcher's really washed-up,
giving you a free ride.
Well, you're going to win your 16th straight today, boy.
He ain't won it yet.
Listen, I don't want you to take no slides, you hear?
You might hurt your arm.
All right now. Heads up.
Take a good lead now.
You're all right.
(Screaming)
Alex.
Aimee?
Yes, dear.
This is Aimee.
Hello, Aimee.
Hello.
Your mother's here, too.
Hello, mom.
Hello, son.
How'd you get here so quick?
It's been almost three days.
Oh?
You're not mad at me anymore?
Every time we'd get to a new town,
I'd hope there'd be a letter waiting for me.
Never was.
Grover, I put all the money that you sent in the bank.
We have enough now for a down payment on the farm,
if you still want it.
Sure.
You want a drink, son? Here, let me.
No, mom. Wait a minute.
Grover, what's the matter?
Nothing.
I'm twice as good as I ever was.
I see two of everything.
Tell me when you see just one.
One now?
No, still two.
Mm-hmm. Let's try it again.
How's that?
It just won't come together, doc.
Mm-hmm.
Well, there's no doubt about it...
Diplopia.
What's that mean?
Double vision
caused by injury to the eye muscles.
How long will it take to fix him up, doc?
I don't know.
There's nothing medicine can do to help him.
Sometimes these cases clear up in a few weeks,
or it might be for the rest of your life.
You mean he can't pitch anymore?
Kind of wondering how straight a furrow
I'll be able to plow on that farm of ours.
Best pitcher I ever had... Ever seen...
And I was worrying about his arm.
That's just my luck for you.
Well, anyway, I can see two of you.
Makes you twice as pretty.
Come on, you're going to ride
to your new farm in my new automobile.
Aimee: Look at it. It's wonderful.
Tell me if you need me to come over tomorrow
to help you get started with your planting.
I'll send one of the boys over tonight
to do the milking for you right after supper.
You take good care of my little girl, you hear?
I aim to, Mr. Arrants.
All right. Get in, you two.
Woman: Bye, Aimee!
Good-bye. Good-bye.
Here we go! We're off!
(Car backfires)
Hey, John, shouldn't you better get a horse?
You'd make better time if you walked, Grover.
Wind her up again, Jim.
(Backfires)
(Backfires)
Faster than a car. Whoa.
Give me a horse anytime.
Them automobiles is just a fad.
Good-bye. We're proud to have you, dear.
Good-bye.
Take good care of her.
Bye, Aimee!
Good-bye!
I'll send the boys over tomorrow to help out.
Come on, boys.
Bye!
Good-bye!
Bye!
Thought I only made a down payment on one house.
One's for summer, one's for winter.
All my wives get carried over the threshold.
Well, I could have sworn there was a door there.
Me, too.
Say, it seems like we're all set up.
Don't we have wonderful friends?
Look how they fixed up our house for us.
This was your mother's favorite table,
and Mrs. Robin's chair.
Real nice.
Real comfortable. Try it.
Come quick. Look.
Oh.
Look.
Doesn't it look good?
Say, maybe they figured on being invited in.
Unh-unh.
Only two people are going to be
at my honeymoon supper... Me and my husband.
I'll go change.
Dear?
(Banging noises)
And he does that every day?
(Bang)
I think he knows that he can't ever play again,
but he keeps on trying.
But he's through.
Well, if you knew that, Mr. Glasheen,
how could you do this?
Trade him to Indianapolis?
Oh, that has nothing to do with it.
You know, business is business.
Well, good-bye, Mrs. Alexander.
Don't you want to say hello to him?
Oh, I figure it'd be better if I didn't.
You know, it might upset him, remind him of...
Just tell him I said good luck.
Oh, and, Mrs. Alexander,
I know you ain't much of a fan,
but leastwise you know you're married
to a guy who could have been
the greatest pitcher baseball ever had.
(Bang)
Let's quit, Grover. I'm tired.
Just a few more.
(Music box playing)
There's a merry little man we know
And to everybody's house he'll go
When the weather's at a cold degree
Can't you guess who it can be?
Old Saint Nicholas, you're the one
We jump for joy whenever
Oh, so jolly old Saint Nicholas passes by
Spreading spirit with a twinkle eye
Kids: old Saint Nicholas overhead
You hang a twig of merry mistletoe
And old Saint Nicholas, gay are we
Catching kisses 'neath the yuletide tree
How does it feel to be such a Mr. big
King of the party each year?
How does it feel to be so full
Of captivating Christmas cheer?
Captivating Christmas
Old Saint Nicholas, here's to you
A toast for bringing goodies to the young
And old Saint Nicholas, hip, hooray
Have a happy Christmas day
Have a happy Christmas day
Da da da da dum
Da dum da da da da da
Dum da da da da da Dee
Da da da da dum ta da da da da
Dum be da da bum bum bum
Bum bum bum bum bum
Old Saint Nicholas, here's to you
A toast for bringing goodies to the young
And old Saint Nicholas, hip, hooray
Have a happy Christmas day
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Old Saint Nicholas
Have a happy Christmas day
Have a happy Christmas day
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Those are for Christmas.
This is for the day before.
Here's your mail, Grover.
Oh, thanks.
I'll bet they're Christmas cards.
Hurry and open it.
Oh, isn't that a beautiful one?
"Greetings and best wishes for Christmas."
It's from peewee Johnson.
He played shortstop for Galesburg.
Oh, did he? Look, mom.
Oh, look. Isn't this beautiful?
All: Oh!
Isn't that pretty?
Oh!
Is that another one?
It's from the Philadelphia nationals.
The Phillies? That's a big league team.
What is it?
It's from Charles Doohan, manager.
"This is to inform you we have purchased
"your contract from Indianapolis.
"Spring training begins march 4th
"in Southern pines, north Carolina.
"I'm looking forward to meeting you then.
I know you'll be a big asset to our team."
They can't trade me much higher, can they?
Why do they do that to him,
keeping up his hopes, breaking his heart?
Aimee.
Mom, it's so awful for him.
He's tried so hard to be a good farmer,
to be everything that I wanted him to be,
and all the time he's sick inside
because he can't ever pitch again.
You know something, mom?
Hmm?
I used to think it'd be a lot better
if he liked another girl,
then at least I could compete against her
and win or lose,
but I couldn't compete against his love for baseball.
Anybody would have been second to that.
Now, Aimee...
Mom, I was glad when he had his accident.
You don't mean that, Aimee.
Yes, I do.
Deep down in my heart I was glad
because it meant that he could never play again,
and that meant that I wouldn't
have to share him with the game.
Now I realize how wrong I was,
and I'd do anything if I could help him.
Mom, I love him so much.
I want him to be happy.
I want him to be able to do all the things
that he wants to do.
Now I know that I can't help him.
I can't give him the things that he wants and needs.
Oh, mom.
(Door opens and closes)
(Baseball popping in glove)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Pop)
Aimee.
Oh, darling.
Oh, darling.
If we're going to be in north Carolina
in time for spring training,
we have to leave tomorrow.
Aimee.
What about the farm?
Oh, we could talk to ray.
He'll take care of everything for us.
Sure he will. Sure.
Peanuts. Who'll have the peanuts?
Peanuts here.
I will. How much are they?
Five for a dollar.
Who'll have a bag of peanuts here?
That-a-boy, Alex.
Hit this target, kid.
(Pop)
(Pop)
Hello.
Hello.
I think it's plain silly
to play a preseason game
between the Phillies and the athletics.
Connie mack has a world champion team.
The poor Phillies haven't been
out of the second division
since I can remember.
You mean the Phillies aren't very good?
You can't make chicken salad
out of chicken feathers, honey.
Have they announced the batteries yet?
The what?
The batteries... Who's pitching.
Oh. My husband is supposed to pitch the first five innings.
That's him down there warming up with William Killefer.
His name is Grover Alexander.
Well, I'm glad to meet you. Your name's Aimee, isn't it?
Uh-huh.
Bill's told me about you and your husband.
I'm Margaret Killefer.
Oh, I'm pleased to meet you.
I didn't see you at spring training.
Wasn't there.
Uh-oh. Isn't that Eddie plank
that's going to pitch for the a's?
Is he good?
In a way... Only won 22 games last year.
Is that all?
My husband told Mr. Doohan, the manager,
that he figured on winning at least 25, maybe more,
and he's just a rookie.
And what did Mr. Doohan say?
Nothing.
I can't think of anything, either.
Oh. Peanut?
Thank you.
Man: Batteries for today's game...
For the athletics, plank pitching, lepp catching.
For the Philadelphia nationals,
Alexander pitching,
Killefer catching.
Alexander, you're pitching the first five innings
if you can last that long.
You'll get murdered, but you'll learn something.
Yes, Mr. Doohan.
Now remember something...
You got eight men helping you out there,
so don't be trying to strike everybody out.
You'd be wasting your time anyway.
You might hurt your arm.
Just tease them with that curveball.
Umpire: Play ball!
Be smart. Save that arm.
All right, come on. Let's go.
Let's get out there, show these world champions
they can't have everything their own way today.
The first batter up
will be Eddie Collins, Alex.
He hit .322 last year, .492 in the world series,
but don't let that bother you.
Just don't throw him anything waist-high.
Umpire: All right, play ball!
How are you, reindeer?
Fine, Eddie. How's it with you?
You guys give up too easy,
starting a rookie against us.
Everybody's got to begin someplace.
All right, gang, let's go. Play ball.
I can't call them till you throw them, boy.
Yes, sir.
All right, Alex.
Ball!
That's bad, isn't it?
That's bad.
Ball!
Come on, Grover!
Ball!
Settle down now, Alex. Pitch to me, boy.
This white thing's the plate, boy.
You're supposed to come somewhere close to it.
Strike!
That's good.
Strike!
That's it. Pour it on, boy. You can do it.
Where did you get this kid, bill?
Indianapolis. Why?
They can have him back right after this next pitch.
Come on, Grover.
Strike!
Aah!
You're out.
Same rules as last year, Eddie...
Three strikes to a customer.
You're out. Next batter up.
Hornsby coming to bat.
What's this St. Louis rookie's first name?
Rogers... Rogers Hornsby.
He's too anxious in the field,
and he can't hit.
Alexander struck him out twice now.
Once more, and the cards will send him
back to the minors.
It's now or never.
Strike!
Time.
Time.
What's the matter, bill?
If this Hornsby kid doesn't get a hit,
Huggins is going to drop him.
We've got this one on ice.
Tell him I'll put it right down the middle.
Play ball.
It's coming right down the middle, kid.
Strike!
I told you it would be right in there for you.
That hit was a present, Hornsby.
It's the best one I'll ever get.
What a great guy.
Play ball.
How does Alex feel about him and bill Killefer
being sold to Chicago?
Well, he's looking forward very much
to wearing a cub uniform
and, of course, playing for Mr. Wrigley.
In fact, he went to see him this morning
at Catalina island.
How does Alex stand in the draft?
Is the army taking him?
He received his greetings yesterday.
When does he have to report, Mrs. Alexander?
Tomorrow.
Hi, Alex!
How does it feel being with the cubs?
When are you going to start throwing grenades
instead of baseballs?
I'm sure Aimee answered all your questions.
Seeing as how I haven't got much time left,
I'd kind of like to spend it with her.
Okay, Alex. Good luck.
Just one picture, please.
Smile, please.
Ready...
Thanks a lot.
Good luck, Alex. Bye now.
Bye.
And how's Mr. Wrigley?
Oh, he's wonderful.
Is he?
He's about the nicest man I ever met.
Sit down.
I told him I was worried
about how you were going to get along
while I was in the army.
Well, we don't have to worry anymore.
You know what he's going to do?
What?
He's going to send you a check for $500
every other month as long as I'm gone.
We talked it all over while we were playing golf.
He asked me if I thought it sounded fair,
and when I said it did,
he told me to stop talking or he'd miss his putt.
He's quite a fella.
So are you.
Oh, and if I'm not back inside of three years,
he's going to give you $10,000.
Alex, if anything happens to you,
I'll never speak to you again.
Man: One degree left!
Fire when ready!
Ready!
Fire when ready!
What's the matter, sarge?
I don't know.
I just got dizzy all of a sudden.
Fall out!
Aimee!
Alex!
She saw me first.
I'm so glad to see you. Are you all right?
I'm all right now. How are you?
I'm all right now.
Hey, what did you do to your hair?
You gettin' bald?
No. It's the latest style. Do you like it?
I love it.
Hey, let's go someplace and get out of this crowd,
start on another honeymoon.
It will have to be on a train.
Because we have to go to Chicago
and join the team right away.
It can be a slow train.
One that will take us weeks to get there.
Announcer: Batteries for today's game...
For New York, Mathewson pitching,
Jones catching.
For Chicago,
Alexander pitching,
Killefer catching.
Man: Hey, welcome home, Alex!
Man #2: Welcome home!
Welcome home, Alex!
They remember you, don't they?
You've given them something to remember, Alex.
This Pittsburgh club is hot, leading the league.
They'll be tough to beat here on their own ground.
Now, you all remember foy.
He was with us early this season...
No arm, no speed.
Whenever he gets on second base,
we'll change our signals.
If there's any chance of that guy
getting as far as second,
we wouldn't have sold him, would we?
All right, let's go.
Oh, I forgot my glove.
Hey, Alex,
the coach wants you to warm up right away.
Hey, Alex, did you hear me?
(Crowd cheering)
(Women screaming)
What's going on?
You passed out on the mound.
If that ain't the silliest thing I ever done.
How's the game?
It's over for you, Alex. Take your shower.
I'm all right. There's only a few innings left.
He thinks you got a sunstroke.
I'm not sending you back out there
for another one.
Go on back to the hotel and get to bed early.
You need some rest.
You know what that temperature
is out there?
I wouldn't be surprised if both teams folded up
before they finish this one.
I used to plow all day when it was 110.
Never fazed me before.
Did you say the first time before the game began,
it was like your mind revolving?
Well, yes. It was kind of like
a bright light inside my head,
so bright it hurt my eyes.
It was real strange, everything moving, and...
I almost didn't make it to a bench.
Any of these sensations a second time
while you were pitching?
No. I started my windup...
Nothing. I didn't know anything
till I came to in the locker room.
When was it you were hit by that baseball?
I had double vision for almost a year after that.
Any of these blackouts during that period?
No. During the war, I had a few dizzy spells,
but never fainted or anything.
Were you wounded?
No. Hard of hearing for a while.
Being a gunnery sergeant's
not what you'd call a quiet job.
What did you do before you played baseball, Alex?
Farming mostly. Worked for the phone company.
Aimee... That's my wife...
We got a little farm just outside of Elba, Nebraska.
Why?
Farm work would be good for you.
Are you telling me I got to quit baseball?
If you want to live out your normal life expectancy.
Baseball is my life, doc.
Alex, doctors don't know much about your kind of trouble.
You'll have periods when you'll feel just fine,
then one of these blackouts will hit you.
You'll never know when, never get much of a warning.
You can fall down anywhere, any time...
While pitching, at bat, running the bases,
sitting at a table in a restaurant,
and each time it happens,
it will take strength out of you
that will never come back.
No fixing it?
How are you at keeping a secret, doc?
I'm good at it,
but you can't keep this kind
of thing secret very long, Alex.
You came to me
because you didn't want your team doctor to find out,
but when he does, you'll be out of baseball.
I don't want my wife to know.
Alex, you've set records in baseball
that will never be topped.
Why don't you retire, go to your farm?
With the price of hogs as high as it is...
If I'm going to fall down again,
I don't want to do it in a pigsty.
I've got it.
Here, keep the change.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Alexander.
Aren't you Grover Cleveland Alexander?
Yeah.
Well, say, come on in. I'd like to buy you a drink.
Well, come on.
Hey, Johnny,
look who I found... Alex the great.
Sure glad to know you, Mr. Alexander.
Fix him up, Johnny.
It ain't often we get the best
pitcher in the national league
as a customer.
Hey, I was at Forbes field today.
What happened to you?
The heat... Too much sun.
Yeah, it sure was a broiler, all right.
On the house, Mr. Alexander.
That's the real McCoy.
None of that bathtub stuff. Chaser?
Huh?
A little seltzer?
Yeah.
Is this what they mean about getting drunk?
'Cause you feel real light and airy and...
Like your feet aren't really on the ground.
You're not drunk. You talk too straight.
It's like the world's a real fine place,
and there's nothing to worry about
and nothing to ever be afraid of.
You're getting there, Alex.
This is almost the most wonderful feeling I ever had.
It's like...
I know I'm me,
and I know what's wrong.
You don't know,
but I know.
It doesn't seem to matter so much anymore.
You're getting mighty close, Alex.
As soon as you start feeling sorry for yourself,
then you're almost there.
Operator: Number, please.
Walden-8239.
Woman: Pittsburgh tribune.
Sports desk.
Just a moment, please.
Man: Hello?
Hello, this is croslyn. Zimmy around?
Hold on.
Zimmy: Yes?
Zimmy, got a big story for your column.
Grover Alexander passed out on the mound
in today's game, didn't he?
Yeah.
From the heat, my eye. The guy was loaded.
Baby, your big dream pitcher's a great, big lush.
Margaret, what's happening?
Why is he doing this?
I've got to go to St. Louis and find out for myself.
But the team will be home day after tomorrow.
But I can't even get him on the phone.
What's done this to him?
There must be some reason for this.
I mean, there must be some reason.
(Crowd booing)
Get down! Get down! Get down!
Safe!
Time.
Medkovich!
Anybody could slip, Joe. The grass is a little wet.
Medkovich now pitching.
Can't you even talk to me anymore, Alex?
After all we've been through together?
You can tell me. You can tell me anything.
There's nothing to tell.
Darling, what's happened to you?
You never drank before. Why now?
All of a sudden... Why?
Alex...
What are you afraid of?
Stop badgering me, Aimee.
(Door shuts)
(Meow)
(Door buzzer)
Well, I've looked every place I can think of.
He hasn't even been to the speakeasies
that he usually goes to.
(Telephone rings)
Hello?
Man: Hello. Mrs. Alexander?
Yes.
This is the Lincoln park police station.
We've got your husband down here again.
All right, Aimee, I'll go get him.
Thanks, bill,
but I won't be here when you get back.
I haven't helped him by staying.
Maybe I can help by going away.
Yes, baseball fans, this was a sad season
for one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever known.
Grover Cleveland Alexander,
who really earned the title "Alex the great,"
drank himself right out of baseball.
Seemingly overnight,
the genial big farmer from Nebraska
turned from baseball to the bottle.
Whatever it was that changed Grover Alexander
from the greatest control pitcher of all time
into a stumbling has-been
is a mystery to the men who played with and against him.
They are saddened by what has happened to Alex,
and so are we.
He was once a great man.
(Turns off radio)
Woman: Pittsburgh press.
Hello, Pittsburgh press,
I guess I want your sports department.
Just a moment, please.
Man: Hello?
Hello, my name is Conant, Dr. Johnson Conant.
Could you possibly tell me
where I could get in touch with the wife
of Grover Cleveland Alexander?
So when I heard that radio broadcast, I felt it my duty
to find out if you knew the facts about your husband,
even though I'd promised to keep the information secret
for the sake of his career.
Why didn't he tell me?
Don't start blaming yourself, Mrs. Alexander.
After all, you didn't know.
Frankly, I'm amazed he managed
to hide his affliction at all.
Everybody thought that...
Even I thought, doctor, those times when he...
I thought it was from drinking.
I don't wonder.
From what I've learned,
many of those times probably were from drinking.
Shouldn't drink at all in his condition.
I can understand why he does.
Maybe it makes him less afraid.
Maybe he thought it better for you and others
to believe it was liquor that made him fall down.
Where is he now? Do you know?
No.
Take one of these, Mrs. Alexander.
It will relax you.
Don't worry about me, doctor. I'm all right.
It's him. I left him when he needed me.
If there's anything I can do...
Thank you very much for writing and explaining.
I've got to find him.
What do you mean, you're dependable?
You on the wagon?
I promise you
I'll always be sober on the mound.
I don't know.
All the stories I've heard about you...
I can win you a lot of ballgames.
I can still pitch.
I can only pay you by the game.
I can't put you on salary.
That's all right with me.
I'll give you 20 bucks when you pitch,
but you got to stay
at least six innings to earn it.
And when I win?
I'll make it 25.
House of David's got itself a pitcher.
Get into uniform. Work out with the boys.
You guys must be pretty good
with that hidden ball trick.
Man: I'm sorry, Mrs. Alexander.
I have no idea where he might be.
Well, if you should hear where he is, Mr. McGraw,
would you please let me know? Thank you. Bye.
I haven't seen him, Aimee, but I'll ask around
and let you know the minute I hear.
Down! Down! Slide!
You're out.
All right, men, let's get out in the field.
Alexander, are you drunk again?
Not much. Fremont, warm up.
Not drunk.
Not...
All right, drag him to the locker room.
This is the last time you'll have to do it.
He's through.
He pitched one game with an amateur team
in Joplin, Missouri.
Then he played two weeks
with a semipro outfit in Marshall, Texas.
Then this morning the investigation agency
that we work with in Nashville
wired they had a lead that your husband is playing
with a team called the house of David.
Do they know where the team is?
No, but we're working on it.
Mrs. Alexander, I'll let you know
as soon as we find out.
Thank you, Mr. Blake.
No, miss Alexander,
he left my team in Texas more than two weeks ago.
I don't know where he is. Sorry...
Unless he's under a table in some speakeasy.
(Carnival music playing)
Man: Come and seeel diablo,
the world's greatest fire-eater.
Learn all about baseball from the one and only.
Grover Cleveland Alexander the great.
If you are interested in baseball,
there's the man who will answer all your questions.
Do you want me to go inside with you?
Alex the great, the great baseball player.
Step up and buy yourself a ticket, little lady,
and give yourself a treat.
El diablo: That had a vanilla flavor.
(Audience laughs)
Tasted more like custard.
Anybody who would like to try it
just hold your face up here.
Have a little drink.
(Applause)
And now, my friends,
you can show your appreciation
for the talents ofel diablo
by purchasing one or more of his photographs.
(Taps on door)
All right, Alexander,
get it up here.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
before we move on to the stellar attraction
of the museum, and, of course, by that,
I mean the one and only flea circus,
where you will see the most amazing,
the most incredible performances of all time,
but right now I would like to have your attention here.
You baseball fans, move in a little closer
because right here on this stage
you are going to see, hear, and be able to ask questions
of the one and only Alex the great.
Grover Cleveland Alexander
broke into big-league baseball in 1911.
He has set many pitching records
which will never be equaled.
He is going to tell you some of his secrets.
(Whispering) Two minutes, Alexander,
and don't start no arguments with no customers,
you understand?
It's a pleasure to talk to true baseball fans.
I broke into big-league baseball
with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911.
I won 28 games my first season.
13 of those were shutouts.
In 15 years of big-league competition,
I've won 318 games
for an average of better than 21 wins per season.
How many did you lose?
I lost 171.
How does it feel to be living off the fleas?
Well, it's better than having them live off of me.
(Audience laughs)
I have often been asked,
"who's the toughest batter to pitch to?"
Any pitcher can answer that one...
Rogers Hornsby.
The only safe way to pitch to him
is low and behind him.
Now if any of you would like to ask me
some questions about baseball,
I'll do my best to answer them.
What right have you got to stand up there,
talking about baseball?
You never did nothing
but give baseball a bad name.
Woman: Aah!
Where is he, Aimee?
I'll send him some money so that he can...
But it isn't money that he needs.
What can I do to help Alex?
Believe in him, give him a chance.
Let him play baseball again, Rog.
But, Aimee...
Don't you understand?
It isn't enough that I believe in him.
Baseball's got to believe in him, too.
Well, I'll have to think it over.
Please, Rog, give him back his life.
Aimee, I'll do the best I can.
I'll let you know one way or the other.
Bye.
She wants me to take him on.
How can I, bill?
You're the manager of the cards.
You can hire and fire.
I'm responsible for the team.
We're going along pretty good.
I'm even crazy enough
to believe we can win the pennant.
How can I risk taking Alexander on?
What'll I tell the owners?
You know Alex is through.
Well, isn't he?
That's what everybody says... "Alex is through."
Well...
Except I don't believe it, Rog.
As long as Alex can stand on his two feet,
he's still the pitcher I'd want to have in there
if we were in a tough spot, and so would you.
Hey, Mr. Alexander,
a scout's here from the St. Louis cardinals
to see you.
Tell him to wait a minute.
Come in.
Rogers Hornsby needs you
and wants you to report to the team right away,
and here's a telegram to prove it.
Why didn't you tell me?
It is truly amazing what Rogers Hornsby
has been able to do with this St. Louis team.
Last year, the cardinals entered the 1925 season
at the bottom of the second division.
This year, with a roster of nothing but rookies,
cast-offs, and has-beens, Hornsby has turned the cards
into the most formidable baseball club
in the national league.
Grover Alexander,
who practically kicked himself out of baseball,
was given another chance by the cards' manager
and paid off
with the most amazing comeback in sports history.
Time after time, Hornsby has literally lifted
his weak but scrappy team by its bootstraps
and forced them to be better
than anybody could believe was possible,
good enough to win the national league pennant,
the first in St. Louis cardinal history.
But now, the big question is,
what possible chance have these worn-out cardinals got
against the mighty Yankees in the world series?
The Bronx bombers are unquestionably
the most powerful aggregation of baseball players
ever assembled on one team.
The wise boys are putting it on the line
that the Yankees will win four straight.
The best that can be predicted
is that the St. Louis cardinals
will at least go down fighting.
(Click)
Thank you very much.
Maybe we shouldn't even bother to show up
at the Yankee stadium tomorrow.
Hey...
Look at this.
What do they mean, "old man"?
I don't mind that so much, but I wouldn't wear a beard
even when I was playing with the house of David.
They should all be so old and so wise.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
This is Graham macnamie bringing you
the first transcontinental sports broadcast in history.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen,
it's the world series coast to coast.
Yankee stadium is packed with the largest crowd
to ever attend any baseball game.
There are more than 61,000 fans here.
Miller Huggins is starting pitcher herb Pennock
against the cardinals.
Pennock won 23 and lost 11 during the season.
Catching is Henry sevareid.
The starting pitcher for St. Louis
will be wee Willie sherdel,
a 16-game winner for the season.
Catching him is Bob O'Farrell.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the first game of the 1926 world series
is about to begin.
And here comes the first pitch.
Strike!
Strike!
Stay with it. You got the big one left.
Strike!
You're out of here.
You can hit him, Joe.
That Pennock's going to be a tough one to hit.
This kid Lazzeri looks tougher to pitch to
than Ruth or Gehrig the way he crowds that plate.
I'd throw him a lot of curve balls,
keep it low and outside.
Might be a mistake to feed him a strike
on the first pitch, too.
(Crowd cheering)
See what you mean.
5 on the cards will win me how much
on tomorrow's game?
200. That's good odds.
Yeah, but 1,000 to 1 ain't no good
when the cards can't win.
What do you want from me?
The question in this second game is,
who's going to pitch for the cardinals?
Manager Rogers Hornsby hasn't yet made his choice.
The yanks will murder anybody
they put on the mound.
You're so right.
Announcer, on P.A.: Batteries for St. Louis...
Pitching, Grover Alexander. Catching, Bob o'Farrell.
Alexander? What are you doing, Hornsby,
throwing the series?
Ha ha ha!
Brother, we can't help but win.
Alex's record for the cards has been 9 wins and 7 losses.
He's an experienced, smart pitcher,
but it's going to take a lot of arm
to hold off Ruth, Gehrig, and company...
Murderer's row.
Look who's going to pitch. Why, he's a has-been.
Why don't you go home?
I got my rights, lady.
Woman: Aw, sit down.
Umpire: Play ball!
Ball!
Look him over, combs! He'll walk ya!
You bet he will.
What did I tell you, lady? He's a has-been.
Man: Get him, baby!
Come on, babe, send this guy back to the bread line.
You said it.
Rogers: That's a boy, Alex. Come on now.
That-a-boy, Alex!
You're out.
It's a double play! What did I tell you?
Oh!
Come on.
Strike!
Here comes run number 2 for the Yankees,
and Alexander is in trouble
for the second time in this 2nd inning.
Time.
Time.
There goes Hornsby to talk to Alexander.
It looks like the old warrior is all through.
I'm just wondering, Alex,
why don't you and Walter Johnson and I
go to north Dakota for our duck hunting this year?
Yeah, if I ever get this ballgame over with, Rog.
No, no, Hornsby's leaving Alexander in the game.
Macnamie, on radio: One man, and one man only,
is responsible for this victory...
Alexander, the forgotten man of baseball.
Alex the great, cool and calm on the mound,
set down the Bronx bombers with only four hits.
Even the mighty babe Ruth failed to get a hit
off the old master.
Those who said Grover Cleveland Alexander
was through can eat crow tonight.
I wonder what crow tastes like.
I should have bet that 5. I could kill myself.
That wouldn't be a bad idea.
(Laughter)
And so, for St. Louis at the end of the 9th,
I run, 1 hit, no errors,
one man left on base.
We go into the last half of the 9th inning
with St. Louis leading New York 10 to 2.
It's the last chance for the Yankees,
and a slim one it is.
Grover Cleveland Alexander has pitched brilliantly,
allowing only eight hits in eight full innings.
Making his second appearance in this world series,
the old master has never once been in any real trouble,
allowing only I run in the 3rd,
another in the 6th.
Man: Come on, Alex, you can do it.
Man #2: Come on, baby, that-a-boy.
And it's another double play...
Hornsby to theuenow to bottomley.
Two out, nobody on,
and Huggins is sending in a pinch hitter
for ervin shocker.
All right, Alex, all the way.
Strike! That-a-boy!
Crowd: Alex! Alex!
Alex! Alex! Alex!
And he's done it again.
For the second time in this series,
Grover Alexander has beaten the Yankees,
beaten them down into the ground.
Alex the great has tied up the series,
made it three and three.
"It was a pure case of head and heart"...
That's you...
"And the fans recognized it.
"They responded with screams, applause, and tears.
"There has never been so loud, long,
and continuous a demonstration in the history of baseball."
I heard it.
You don't hear much from the stands
when you're out there, but I heard that one.
Well, they all say the same thing.
You, my dear, are the hero of the series,
but from now until spring training next year,
you're going to be the laziest hero
anybody's ever seen.
Course, I know that you want to be out there tomorrow
to watch your team win.
They wouldn't dare let you down
after the way you kept them in the series, would they?
Anyway, I'm going to stay here,
and I'll get us all packed and check out of the hotel.
Then when the game is over,
you meet me at the Pennsylvania station,
and we're off to Florida on our vacation,
and I told Rog and Walter Johnson
that if they want you as a partner this fall,
they're going to have to switch from duck hunting
to deep-sea fishing.
You must be so tired, Aimee.
Why should I be tired?
I've pitched a lot of baseball this season.
A couple of times there today
I didn't think you'd be able to finish that game for me.
Once in the 4th,
again in the 9th,
I felt one of those things coming on.
I looked over at the box seats,
and there you were.
You gave me the strength to fight it off.
I've been stealing strength from you all season...
Every game, every pitch.
Without you there,
I couldn't have done any of it.
I know it, Aimee.
Without you, I'm just half a man
waiting to black out.
God sure must think a lot of me
for giving me you.
Going, going,
and it's gone.
A towering home run into the right field bleachers,
and the bambino, the mighty babe Ruth,
is trotting around the bases.
That gives the Yankees 2 runs,
but St. Louis still leads 3 to 2
in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Card pitcher Jess Haines really looked sick
when he heard the babe's bat connect with that one.
If St. Louis can hold their 1-run lead to the end,
it will be the biggest upset of any year.
Both Jess Haines for the cardinals
and Waite hoyt for the Yankees have pitched brilliantly.
Woman: Order, please.
Hello. Would you please send a boy
right away. To 382 for bags?
Thank you.
Here's the pitch to combs.
It's a drive over Hornsby's head
into short center field.
Combs pulls up at first with a single.
Out.
One out, combs on second, and the babe at bat.
Haines is walking Ruth.
Hornsby's trying to set him up for a double play.
Ball four,
and the bambino goes to first with a free pass.
Long Bob meusel steps up to bat.
Haines stretches, throws,
and meusel hits to shortstop theuenow.
Babe Ruth was forced out at second,
but Hornsby's throw to bottomley was too late.
So we have Yankee runners on first and third,
two out, and Lou Gehrig coming to the plate.
Your husband pitched two great games, Mrs. Alexander.
Certainly did, and we're out in front
on this one 3 to 2.
Thank you. Come back and see us again.
We will. Thank you. Bye.
Macnamie: And the pitch almost got away
from catcher o'Farrell.
Taxi, please.
(Blows whistle)
The crowd watching that electric board
has got the streets all jammed.
You might have to take the subway, Mrs. Alexander.
Oh, no.
(Blows whistle)
Ball four, and the bases are loaded.
This is a crucial moment, ladies and gentlemen.
It may mean the series.
Time.
Time.
And there goes Hornsby walking over
to talk to Haines.
What's the matter?
Seem to be working up a blister.
Can't control the ball, huh?
No. It's making me pretty wild.
Wonder who Hornsby's going to put in to pitch now?
Alex.
Huh?
Rog says he wants you, Alex.
Me? Not again today.
I'm not even warmed up.
Well, he says he wants you.
Tell him I'm on my way.
He's coming.
(Crowd cheering)
You must get me a taxi.
I've got to get to the Yankee stadium.
(Blows whistle)
The fans here are going mildly insane
as the hero of yesterday's game,
Grover Alexander,
walks slowly in from the cardinal bullpen.
I'm sure that no pitcher in baseball history
has ever walked into a more desperate situation.
The Yankees have loaded the bases.
Tony "push 'em up" Lazzeri, the hard-hitting,
brilliant Yankee second baseman is at bat.
A single can put the Yankees ahead,
can win the series for them.
Well, Alex...
I remember what bill Killefer said.
He said, "as long as Alex can stand on his two feet",
"he's still the pitcher I'd want to have in there
when we're in a tough spot."
Well, you can see how things are.
What do you think you can do with Lazzeri?
Well, there don't seem to be
any room left on the bases for him.
Warm up as long as you like. I'll stall for time.
Can't you go any faster?
I'm sorry, Mrs. Alexander. The traffic's pretty heavy.
Could be, could be...
Foul ball.
Ball one.
Take it easy. Take your time, boy.
Ball.
Fire it up, Alex.
Alexander is wild.
He's run the count to three and one on Lazzeri.
Another ball, and he'll walk in the tying run.
Come on, Alex. Stay with him, boy.
Strike!
Can you go faster, please?
I sure can, Ma'am.
Strike three!
Just listen to that crowd.
If baseball fans ever had reason to cheer,
Alexander just gave it to them,
striking out Tony Lazzeri in the last of the 7th
with the bases loaded,
but there are two more innings to go.
Can Alex hold off this now-desperate New York team
that needs only 1 more run to tie up the ballgame?
Hey, officer, what happened in the 7th?
Alexander struck out Lazzeri with the bags loaded.
Hot-diggity!
This is Mrs. Alexander in back.
How do you do?
We've got to get to the stadium.
Well, get going.
(Blows whistle)
Now it's top of the 9th.
If Alexander can hold off the Yankees for three more outs,
he'll be the greatest hero in world series history.
That's it. We hold them now, we win the series. Let's go.
You all right, Alex?
Yeah.
Sure been a pleasure, Ma'am.
Thanks.
Is Alex still pitching?
Yes, Ma'am.
Strike!
You're out.
Two away, Alex.
One more, we can start our vacation.
Strike!
Strike!
Strike three!