The Shot

Disclaimer


-----

The show is in the midst of airing.

Dave: Cut to Huey. Back in 10.

Chris: Presetting 8.

Will: 7 is ready.

Dana: Bobbi, segue to Dan for the next feature.

Elliott walks in and hands Jeremy a note. Isaac stands in the back of the room and watches the broadcast.

Jeremy: The Rockies just scored again.

Natalie: Let me hear Stacy. Just me.

Dana: You guys got that?

Chris: Got it.

Will: And updating the score.

Bobbi: (on-air) Thank you, Mike. We'll get back to you in Atlanta a little bit later in the broadcast.

Dan: (on-air) Fifty years ago today, many say the greatest baseball game ever played took place at the famed Polo Grounds in Manhattan. It was the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers playing for the National League pennant and the chance to face the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Giants trailed the Dodgers by 13 1/2 games with six weeks to play, but they managed to win 37 of their final 44 games, including in that stretch, a 16-game winning streak. They tied the Dodgers by the end of the season, and forcing a three-game playoff. After splitting the first two games, these two teams played in the decisive third game...

Isaac closes his eyes.

-----

"That's the game, guys."

The crowd was eerily quite, except for the minority Brooklyn Dodgers fans in the stands.

Mark Sabbath: Four to one. Do you think the Giants can score three or four runs in their final two at-bats, Isaac?

Isaac: I don't know. Newcombe has been pitching brilliantly.

Mark Sabbath: I think if they're shut down in the bottom of the eighth, Brooklyn has the game. Hey, you want another soda?

Isaac: Sure. Thanks.

-----

Mark comes back with a soda and hands it to Isaac.

Mark Sabbath: Here you go. You have an appetite like my son.

Isaac takes a sip of his drink.

Isaac: I do?

Mark Sabbath: Yeah. He's a few years younger than you, but he shows much enthusiasm about journalism, just like you.

Isaac: Thanks.

Mark Sabbath: What did I miss?

Isaac: Bill Rigney pinch-hit for Wes Westrum, and he struck out. It looks like they are bringing in Hank Thompson to pinch-hit for Maglie.

Mark Sabbath: Okay.

Mark sits down and watches Isaac paying close attention to the game and taking notes.

-----

Dan: (on-air) Then came the bottom of the ninth. The Giants were trailing 4 to 1, and this was their last chance...

-----

Isaac: Let's see if the Giants can rally against Newcombe.

Mark Sabbath: Unless he has enough gas left in his tank.

A New York Giant hits the ball and it bounces between the Dodgers' first and second baseman.

Another Giant singles past first base to right field.

Mark Sabbath: First and second, nobody out.

A Giant pops a foulout to an infielder. The runners bluff tagging up, but they both head back to their bases.

A Giant hits the ball to left field. The Dodger outfielder scoops it up and throws it back to second base. The crowd is going wild as one run scores.

Isaac: Four to two. Do you think Newcombe's run out of gas?

Mark Sabbath: Maybe. I think Mueller is hurt. He's still down at third base.

Isaac: Oh man.

Mark Sabbath: I think he hurt his ankle. The doctor is looking at it.

Isaac: Do you think I have time to use the restroom?

Mark laughs.

Mark Sabbath: All those hot dogs and sodas finally catching up to you?

Isaac: I think so.

Mark Sabbath: I'm not sure where the closest restroom is located. You could probably ask Walter at the door.

Isaac: Thanks.

A stretcher comes out and carries the runner off the field. The crowd applauds and a pinch-runner goes to third base.

A gentleman enters the press area and addresses the reporters.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. For those of you wanting access to press passes for the World Series, you can come tomorrow to Gate C at Ebbets Field. Bring your credentials and identification with you. We'll take care of you there. Have a good day, and we'll see you at the World Series. Does anybody have any questions?"

The gentleman, the assistant general manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers, begins to answer some questions.

Isaac gets up from his chair and starts walking through the busy room. He watches what is happening on the field.

The Dodger manager starts walking to the mound. He begins talking with his pitcher, Newcombe. Newcombe hands the manager the ball, and he runs off the field.

Isaac goes back to his seat.

Isaac: They're taking him out?

Mark Sabbath: It looks like they're going to bring in Branca.

Isaac: I really got to go. Watch my stuff, and I'll be right back.

Mark Sabbath: I sure will. Take your time. Branca always takes a long time to warm up. They'll probably walk Thomson to get to Mays.

Isaac: I know.

Isaac would have taken his time, if not for the urgency caused by his bladder. He quickly asks Walter for the nearest restroom. Walter points in a direction, and Isaac runs out the door.

"They're going to walk Thomson to get to Mays cause Mays hasn't done anything in the series."

"And Mays is a rookie."

"Why would you put the winning run on base? Pitch to the guy."

"Just give him some junk to hit."

Russ Hodges: Bobby Thomson up there swinging... Bobby batting at .292. Branca pitches and Bobby takes a strike call on the inside corner.

The crowd, which is on their feet, boos.

Russ Hodges: Lockman without too big of a lead at second but he'll be running like the wind if Thomson hits one.

Branca throws...

There's a long drive... it's gonna be, I believe... the Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants... win... the pennant!

Frantic reporters start typing and placing phone calls. The crowd roars loudly, celebrates the miracle, and many run onto the baseball field.

Isaac walks into the press section and looks around in amazement. He runs to the other side of the room, running into various reporters along the way.

Isaac: What happened?

Mark Sabbath: Thomson hit the home run! He hit it! You were right! The Giants are going to the World Series! This is amazing!

All Isaac can do is stand and stare out the window.

-----

Isaac is sitting at his desk and finishing some paperwork. There is a knock on his door.

Dan: You're here late tonight.

Isaac: I'm just finishing and tying up some loose ends.

Dan takes a few steps inside.

Dan: I realize you don't socialize much with us outside of work... but I'm going to ask you anyway.

Isaac: You're not about to ask me out on a date, are you?

Dan: No.

Isaac: Because I'm a happily married man.

Dan: I know that.

Isaac: Good.

Dan: Would you like to go out for a drink?

Isaac looks at Dan.

Isaac: Danny-

Dan: It will be just you and me.

Isaac thinks about it for a second.

Isaac: Just you and me?

Dan: And we'll talk about whatever we want.

Isaac: Are you buying?

Dan: Sure.

Isaac: I think this paperwork can wait until tomorrow.

Isaac gathers his paperwork and stacks it in a small pile on his desk. He gets up from his chair.

Dan reaches over, grabs Isaac's coat, and hands it to him.

Isaac: Thanks.

Dan: You're welcome.

Isaac puts on his coat, and the two start heading out of the office.

Isaac: Did I ever tell you about "The Shot Heard Around the World"?

Dan: No, you haven't.

Isaac: I was there, as you are well aware.

Dan: Yes.

The two walk out the door.

Isaac: It was the third game of the series. It was a cloudy day, and they thought it might rain...



Sports Night