Original subtitles

Columbia Pictures Corporation presents

Mickey Mantle,

Roger Maris

in Safe at Home.

Breakfast. Hey, Dad, you up?

Up and hungry.

Morning, Hutch. Morning.

Hey, pancakes, eh?

Except I burned them a little.

Well, they're better than I could do.

Anyway, you're better at eggs.

Yeah. I'll get some today.

I cleaned up the galley and straightened up the cabins.

Hutch, you're the best first mate a captain ever had.

When you get back in, I'll wash down the deck. It needs it.

You're sure a busy little man.

Tell me, Hutch, do you like it down here now?

Sure, Dad. I mean,

there ain't no snow here in Florida like there is in New York,

but there's not supposed to be any, is there?

No.

But that's not what I mean, Son.

I mean, well, I'm out on the boat all day, you're...

I'm not alone when you're out on charter.

I'm in school.

Besides, one of us has to earn a living.

You know, Hutch, I promise you one thing,

when we get this boat paid off,

we'll spend a lot of time together.

Don't worry, Dad. I'm getting along great.

No kidding.

Mailman.

Hi, Mr. Andrews.

Hi, son.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Here's the mail. Thank you.

Any checks?

No, just bills.

Boy, look at this. Aren't they just great?

Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle again, Hutch?

How many pictures of those two guys have you got?

Only 10. These are new ones.

What's the matter, Dad?

Oh, I don't know, Hutch.

Maybe we bit off more than we can chew, buying this big a boat.

Don't be silly, Dad.

The bigger the boat, the more the fishermen will pay.

Well, that's what I'm hoping, pal.

Hey, did you get your homework done?

Last night. Fuel and water aboard?

No, not yet.

You better get cracking.

Customers will be aboard soon.

Yes sir, skipper.

You better get cracking on your way to school.

Come on. Scoot.

Almost forgot. Shirt day.

Hey, pal, almost forgot your books, too.

You gonna come and see me practice today?

Yeah, if we get back early enough.

Will you try? Sure will.

Swell. And don't you forget the first game's tomorrow.

I promised you I'd be there. Now scoot.

Yeah.

Hi, Hank. Hi, Hutch.

Morning, Hank. Morning, Captain.

Uh, the customers will be along in just a minute, and they're eager.

Well, let's get ready.

Morning, Jo. Morning, Ms. Price.

Hi, fellows. Your fishermen all aboard, Andy?

Raring to go.

Good. Try Harper's Point.

The big ones should be in there.

Spotted a feeding school with sonar yesterday.

Sonar? My rheumatism's been good enough for 30 years.

All right, all right.

Johnny, Frankie, don't crowd Andy's boat.

Give the customers a touch of open waters.

Sometimes I think you three sailors

just go out there to have a few beers together.

Bad habit drinking alone, Jo.

Yeah.

What if the fish aren't biting at Harper's Point?

Try Andy's rheumatism.

It's been good for 30 years.

On your way, will you?

Okay.

If you need more line, let me know.

Right.

Hi, Hutch.

Hi, Johana.

How are you this bright, beautiful morning?

Oh, I'm okay.

Good.

What have you got there?

Dad's shirts. Taking them to Mr. Johnson's.

Best laundry in town.

Sometimes I wonder what your father would do without you.

He'd get along okay, I guess.

You going out with my dad today?

Yep.

Well, how come you're always going out with him

when you got your own business to run?

Well, somebody's got to look after him when you're not around.

You know how he cooks.

Yeah.

Hey, Johana, you gonna marry my dad?

I wouldn't consider it, unless he asks me.

You want me to tell him to ask you?

No thanks, pal. A man has to handle

minor decisions like that all by himself.

Well, I guess you're right.

You sure cook good.

Thank you, sir.

Tell me, how are you coming along with your baseball?

Oh, fine. I made the Little League team.

Hutch, that's great.

Hey, let's go, Jo.

Be right there.

See you later, Hutch.

Johana? Uh-huh?

Sure you don't want me to say something to Dad?

Thanks, Hutch, but as I said,

this is one job Dad has to handle alone.

Have a good day.

No peeking, beautiful.

I don't give away my secrets to competition.

Tanker Keys, huh?

Yeah, what's wrong with that?

Picked up some hot information over at Price Fishing Service,

big feeding school off Harper's Point.

Andy's rheumatism?

Johana's sonar.

Hey, skipper, did you get that 80-pound line?

Yeah, Hutch picked it up last night, Hank. It's down in the locker.

He's quite a man.

Hank?

Hutch.

He cleans your galley, swabs the deck,

cooks your dinner, handles your laundry, buys all the fishing gear.

Plays a pretty good game of baseball to boot.

Yes, he's quite a man.

Oh, say, listen we have to go to that ball game of his tomorrow.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Hey, skipper, we're all set, ready to shove off.

Okay, let's get going.

What's the course, Tanker Keys?

Tanker Keys.

No, I've got some hot information

they're biting big at Harper's Point.

Oh? Uh, Andy's rheumatism?

What else?

Uh-uh.

Captain Bligh.

Hi, Mr. Torres.

Morning, Hutch.

Your dad's gonna catch a big one today?

If he don't, nobody will, Mr. Torres.

Mike here? Yeah, he's inside.

Mike, you ready?

It's early.

No, it ain't.

"No, it isn't."

No, it isn't! Come on.

Hi, Hutch. Hi, Mike.

Son, finish your milk.

Adio Mom.

Goodbye, Son.

Adio Pop.

Goodbye, Mike.

Hold it.

Thanks, Mr. Jones.

First game's tomorrow. Uh-huh.

Think we'll win? I hope so.

Coach Benton put you in?

I don't know. How about you?

He said I'd split half the game in center field with Henry.

Boy, that'll make him mad.

Yeah, I guess.

Hi.

Hi.

Hi, there.

Bye, Son. Bye, Dad.

I'll be down to watch you practice this afternoon, Henry.

Don't worry, Dad, you'll see some ball playing.

Hi. Hi.

Hi.

You walking to school? Uh-huh.

School sure gets long around baseball time. Uh-huh.

My dad's gonna watch me practice today.

Yours? Maybe.

Be the first time. Guess you northerners don't care much for baseball.

Best team in the world's called the Yankees.

But your father never comes.

He's got a lot to do.

My dad takes time out.

Yeah, but he don't skipper a boat.

Yeah, that's right. He don't.

He's a banker. He loans people money.

We all know that, Henry.

He loaned your father money.

That's how he got his boat.

Why don't you go on to school, Henry,

and save your wind for your half of the game?

I'm going.

You know, even if your dad doesn't know anything about baseball,

it seems funny he doesn't come at all to see his boy play.

My dad knows everything about baseball.

He knows more about baseball than anybody.

He does not. He does too.

Oh, yeah? Well, then, does he know

all the players' batting averages like my dad?

Sure he does. He even knows the players.

What players?

All the players. The big ones.

Who? Does he know Mickey Mantle?

Yeah, Mickey Mantle, that's who.

Yeah?

Yeah. And Roger Maris, too.

Yeah?

Yeah, and the whole New York Yankees.

That's where we're from.

Gee.

Gosh.

Come on, let's go.

Hi, Mike.

Oh, hi, Phil.

Hi, Hutch. Hi, Phil.

How's your bicycle?

I gotta put a new wheel on it.

Oh, that's too bad.

Mike told me in school today that you know all the Yankees.

Well.

That's what he said.

Your father's Roger Maris' best friend in the whole South.

Well...

Really, Hutch? Your dad?

Well, he knows him.

Real well?

Sure Hutch's dad knows him real well.

And Hutch does, too.

No kidding?

They're friends of yours, too, Hutch?

Yeah, but...

Okay, fellows, let's start that practice game.

Hutch, you take center field.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Hutch, you wanna use my new mitt? It's a Mickey Mantle model.

No thanks, Jackie.

Play ball!

Strike!

Hi, Roger.

Hiya, Hutch.

Hi, Mickey.

Hi, Hutch.

I got it, Mick. I got it, Rog.

Three runs on one error.

What would your friends Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle say about that?

Oh, shut up, Henry.

You know, I've been thinking about you, Hutch,

and I don't think you know them at all.

Oh, he does, too.

Well, I figured out a way he could prove it.

What?

You could get them to send me a picture.

A picture, that's nothing. He can get a picture for you.

An autographed picture.

Well, I...

Not with machine writing. Real writing.

To me, "Best Regards to Henry."

Well, I don't...

You mean you can't get it?

I'll get the pictures.

"Best regards to Henry."

Yeah, yeah, I know.

We sure fixed that know-it-all Henry.

Boy, is he jealous.

Yeah.

How come you never told me you knew Maris and Mantle before?

Well, 'cause I don't.

Huh?

I saw them play once at the Yankee Stadium,

but I was out in the bleachers.

You mean you don't know them?

Nope.

But then why did you say you did?

Well, because of the way that dopey Henry was talking about my dad.

I had to say something.

Oh, that know-it-all Henry sure fixed us.

Hey, Hutch, what are you gonna do?

You promised him an autographed picture.

I don't know, Mike.

Hey Hutch, your father's had a good morning.

He's been back for two hours already.

Thanks, Mr. Jones.

I guess I better tell my dad what happened.

Yeah.

See you.

Hi, young fellow. What's your name?

Hutch, miss. Excuse me.

Three days off Jackson Key and we'll have the biggest marlin in the record book.

With this boat, we should.

Well, I'm kind of proud of it.

It's the only 55-footer for charter on the whole coast.

She's a real beauty.

Yeah. You might say the same thing about the Captain's wife.

You might, except we're not married.

You're not?

No, but you are, lover.

Hi, Hutch. Hi there.

Hi, Dad. Folks, I'd like to have you meet my son and partner.

Hi, Hutch.

How did everything go?

Can I talk to you, Dad?

Sure, Hutch. Anything wrong?

Well...

I forgot the eggs.

That's not the end of the world.

Hey, folks, why don't I show you the rest of the boat?

Sure.

Come on over here and sit down.

I'm sorry, Dad. I thought the customers would be gone by now.

Oh, these are new ones.

Mr. Layden here is the president of a company up north.

Chartered the boat for three days.

Three days?

Yeah. For more money than we could make

in a couple of weeks with day charters.

Yeah.

Hutch, I'm sorry I'm gonna miss that ball game.

But if we have a lucky trip, they'll tell their friends

and then, well, it could mean a lot of new business for us.

You understand, don't you, partner?

Sure, Dad. I understand.

Good. I talked to Vinny and he says you can stay with Mike while I'm gone.

Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?

Well, I kind of told Henry

you're a friend of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Well, what made you do that, Hutch?

Well, Henry said his father knew more about

baseball than you do and I just got mad.

Hutch, that's not really what's bothering you, is it?

Well, you, you never come to the games like Henry's father does.

Yes, I know, Hutch.

But, you see, it's different with us.

It's not the same as it is with Henry and Mr. Marshall

or the rest of the fathers.

Now, I don't mean to be using the crying towel,

but it's not as easy for us.

I'm kind of in over my head with this boat.

But you've got a tougher job.

You've got to be two things.

You have to be a son and a partner.

And you're darn good at both.

I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to be using the crying towel either.

Forget it, Son.

Now, just tell me how I can help.

Well, I can handle it, partner.

You sure? Sure.

Okay, good man.

Hey, skipper, we're gonna lose the tide.

All right, all right.

Well, I've got your bag packed. Now, you get scooting.

Okay, pop.

Hutch upset you won't be watching him play tomorrow?

Oh, yeah, a little bit. Not much.

What was wrong then?

Just kid stuff, Jo, you know, nothing my guy can't handle.

Sometimes I wonder if you realize your guy's only 10 years old.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, maybe he can take care of the galley

and the deck and your laundry,

but maybe sometimes he needs somebody to take care of him.

And you don't think I'm doing that?

Ken, he's only 10 years old.

Why not let him stay a child a little longer?

He wouldn't if I wanted him to, Jo, which I don't.

Best thing for a boy like that is to grow up fast. A kid with no mother.

Well, I could figure out a solution to that problem.

Well, have a lucky trip. Jo...

Our five months down here sure have been a lot brighter because of you.

I'll do the rooting for both of us at that game tomorrow.

Thanks, belle.

Well, well.

See? I told you we weren't married.

Have a good trip!

Catch some good fish!

Big ones!

I can't wait for that game to start tomorrow.

I'll be in the stands rooting for you.

Thanks, Johana.

You know, your father just couldn't turn down a three-day charter.

Oh, sure. I understand.

How about having dinner with me after the game?

I'm staying over at Mike's.

Broiled lobster and French fries.

I don't think so, Johana.

Me and Mike are gonna watch TV.

Thanks anyway.

Anything an old pal can help you with?

Nothing I can't take care of myself.

You and your father are just alike.

See you later.

Good night, boys.

Do you mind if I kiss you good night, Hutch?

Well, it doesn't matter to me, but if you want to.

Thank you. Good night.

Remember lights out in five minutes.

Okay, Mom.

Your mom cooks real good.

Yeah.

Hey, I wanted to ask you all through supper,

what did your dad say about the pictures?

Well, I didn't exactly tell him.

How come?

He had enough on his mind.

I thought I could handle it myself.

How?

I don't know.

If that Henry don't get his pictures,

your name's gonna be mud and so's your father's.

Well, he didn't say it. I did.

That doesn't make any difference.

Yeah, I know.

I got to think of something.

Yeah.

That looks okay. I think I'll try one.

"Best regards to Henry." Signed, "Roger Maris."

Gee, Hutch, that's great. You do good copying.

That ought to keep that know-it-all Henry quiet.

Yeah.

Strike!

Come on, Bobby, strike him out!

One more out and we win the game!

Ball three!

Oh, no!

All right, hold it, everybody. Hold it. Quiet.

Quiet down, everybody. I want to talk to you.

Hutch! That's a nice game.

Thanks, Johana.

Want a lift home?

Well, I'm riding home with the fellows.

Thanks anyway. Okay, see you later.

Okay. Bye.

Hey, fellows, that was a great game.

You know what I'm going to do?

I'm gonna give you all a big dinner.

All of you. Winning teams and losing teams.

Next week... Next week, we're going to have a real banquet.

And, you know, we're going to make this

the most outstanding Little League season we've ever had.

'Cause we've got some real great players on this team, haven't we?

Yeah.

That isn't all, Mr. Marshall.

Look at these pictures Henry got from Hutch.

Well, I'll be.

Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Aren't they great?

They're Hutch's father's best friends.

They are? Yes, sir.

Hutch knows them, too.

Well, Hutch, I'm gonna have to have a talk with your father.

Say, maybe we can get them to come up here to the banquet.

How would you like that, fellows?

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

But he's not here. He's away.

You can get them. You got their pictures.

Well, but they're in spring training.

Well, they can fly up from Fort Lauderdale after practice.

I'll arrange the transportation for them.

Come on, Hutch. You could get them here.

It's only a phone call.

They are your best friends, aren't they?

Sure, he can.

Hutch can do anything.

Mike.

You think you can do it, Hutch?

Sure. I'll get them to come.

I'll be with you in a minute, Hutch.

Okay.

Gee, what a game.

If we keep up like this, we'll win the whole season.

Wasn't it swell, Hutch?

Yeah.

Hutch? Uh-huh.

Could you do me a big favor?

I don't know.

When they come, do you think Roger Maris will autograph my leg?

Could you ask him? And Mickey Mantle, too.

Right here.

Sure, Phil.

N-No sweat at all once they're here.

Gee, thanks! You're a great guy, Hutch.

I'll meet you outside, Mike.

Boy, that know-it-all Henry's father sure got you in real trouble now.

Yeah.

What am I gonna do, Mike?

I don't know, Hutch.

Sure wish I never heard of Mickey Mantle or Roger Maris.

Me, too. I sure wish you never heard of them.

When that Henry finds out you don't know them,

he'll make sure you won't have a friend left in this whole town.

You? Well, that's different.

Boy, I wonder what Henry's father will do when he finds out I'm a liar.

If he's anything like Henry,

he'll take your dad's boat away.

Mike, he can't.

Sure, he could. He loaned your dad the money.

I just can't let my dad down.

We got to think of something.

Hutch, I didn't help much when I told the kids you knew Maris and Mantle.

I'm sorry.

That's okay, Mike. You didn't know I was lying.

Hey, I know what you could do.

What?

You could get the measles.

No, I've already had them.

We could tell the kids that Roger and Mickey have the measles.

Henry's father reads the paper.

Hey! I got it. What?

Well, if they asked me, I'd do them a favor.

Who?

Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

I'm gonna go see them. That's what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna ask them to help. They just got to say, "Yeah."

I don't know, Hutch.

They just got to.

But how are you gonna get down to Fort Lauderdale?

Well,

tomorrow's the day your father delivers to Miami, isn't it?

Uh-huh.

Well, I'm going with him in his truck, except he won't know it.

Hey, Hutch, you're smart.

You got any money?

A dollar.

I got 87 cents.

Look, Mike, could I...

Sure, you could, Hutch.

That's what friends are for.

How long are you gonna go for?

Well, till I get them to help.

What if you can't?

I don't know, Mike. Maybe I won't ever come back.

I'll miss you, Hutch.

I'll miss you.

Mike, you got to promise me not to tell anyone where I've gone.

On your honor.

I promise, Hutch. On my honor.

Dad, why don't you go say goodbye to Mom? I'll finish up here.

All right.

Boy, these fish sure smell awful.

You'll get used to it.

Here, I made you some sandwiches.

They're peanut butter.

I made 11 of them.

It was all the bread Mom had.

You're a friend, Mike, a real friend.

Hutch, you got to get them.

If you don't, I might never see you again.

I'll be seeing you, Mike.

You got to get them, Hutch.

We'll see, anyway, this is how this works, see?

Mike? Mike, where are you?

Good luck.

What are you doing?

Nothing. I was just setting the boxes straight.

I'm ready to go now. I'll be back in time for dinner.

Okay, Dad. Drive slow.

You always tell me to drive fast.

Hey, where's Hutch this morning?

Oh, he's at the ball park. I'm gonna meet him there.

Okay, Son. You be a good boy now.

I'll see you later, huh?

Hi, cat.

Popcorn. Ice-cold Cokes.

Mickey Mantle.

Roger Maris.

Gosh.

- All right, fellows. - That's all for today.

Hey, Mickey! Hey! Hey, Roger, come here!

Roger! Mickey!

Hey, Roger! Hey, Mickey!

Here, give me your autograph!

Sign this, Mickey!

We want Mantle! We want Mantle!

We want Maris! We want Maris!

We want Maris! We want Mantle!

We want Mantle! We want Maris!

We want Maris! We want Mantle!

We want Mantle! We want Mantle!

We want Mantle! We want Mantle!

Hey, Mickey!

Come on, fellas. Let's go.

Hey, Mickey!

Come on, Mickey.

Hey, Rog, Mick! Come on, the bus is leaving.

Sorry, fellows. We're late now.

That's fine.

The bus is waiting.

Roger, Mickey! I got to talk to you!

Come on now, kid. You'll have to get out of here.

This is private property.

Everybody's gone home.

Is this where they keep their uniforms and dress?

Yeah, that's right. That's right.

Now, come on and get out. I got to lock up.

Say, kid, do you smell something funny in here?

Uh-uh.

Well, I do,

and it smells like something dead.

I don't smell nothing.

Excuse me, mister, where are their lockers?

Whose lockers?

Roger Maris's and Mickey Mantle's.

Right over there.

Now, you'll have to get out of here. I tell you, kid.

Oh, gee, I wanted to talk with them.

Well, I'm sorry, son, but I don't think that's possible.

Could I come to practice tomorrow?

Yes, that's a good idea, if you behave yourself.

Now, come on. Let's get out of here.

Good night, Fred.

Mister? Where are they now?

Where's who?

Uh, the players.

Well, they're at the hotel. Where do you think they'd be, out fishing?

Yeah, maybe that's it. Fish.

Is that your cat?

What hotel, mister?

The Yankee Clipper. Where else?

Where are you from, kid?

Why, there isn't a kid in town that doesn't know where the Yankees stay.

Well, uh, I'm from the south side.

We just moved in a short time ago.

Well, I got to go now. Thanks.

Yeah.

Mister? Mister!

Yeah?

Do you know where the Yankee Clipper is?

Yeah. You want me to take you there?

Would you? Sure, hop in.

Great. My name's Hutch Lawton. What's yours?

Joe Brown.

Here's the place, kid.

Thanks, mister.

Hey. That'll be six bits.

Huh?

75 cents for the ride.

Oh, yeah.

Thanks, sport.

Don't I get change?

That's the tip.

You wanted to tip me, didn't you?

Yeah.

See you around, kid.

All right, settle down! Settle down here!

Hey, young man! Where do you think you're going?

I got to see Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

You're gonna wait right here with the rest of your young friends.

But I just got to see him.

There's no point. If I were you, I'd go home,

because as long as I've been on this door,

nobody has ever sneaked past me,

and nobody ever is gonna sneak past me.

Mr. Houk? Maid here to turn down your bed.

No, thanks. I'll do it myself.

Thank you, Mr. Houk.

Mr. Mantle?

Maid here to turn down your bed.

Oh, I guess he's not here. He's probably gone out for dinner.

My, what a nice little boy.

That Mr. Mantle sure has a lovely family.

Can I help you, honey? No, it's almost done.

Hi, Dad. Hi, Mom. Hello, Son.

Hello, Mike. Where's Hutch?

Oh, Hutch, he's having dinner with Johana tonight.

He said she might take him to a movie, so he's staying with her.

It's funny. I saw her this morning. She didn't mention it to me.

What's for dinner, Mom?

When did she invite Hutch? I could eat a horse.

Honey, I think you better call her and make sure he's all right.

Who's all right? Hutch.

They're probably out to dinner, Mom.

Hutch should have told me.

Oh, it's my fault. I forgot.

Johana asked me to tell you.

Guess everything's okay. Come on, honey, let's eat. I'm starving.

Me, too.

Gentlemen, be seated.

Oh, boy! Fried chicken.

Mmm, smells great.

You know, your pal, Hutch, doesn't know what he's missing tonight.

There you are, gentlemen. Now, let's see you top that.

Hey, Bill, I hate to tell you this, but you can't spell.

What do you mean?

Bill, I hate to shock you, but "marvelous" has an o-u-s on the end of it.

O-u-s, huh? Who said so?

Webster.

What club's he with?

What's the matter?

Well, I've been smelling something funny all day. Have you guys noticed it?

Not a thing.

Well, there must be something the matter with my nose.

Well, now that you mention it... I know, I know.

It ain't pretty and neither is the smell.

But it's in here, just the same.

No, it's not here.

What's wrong with him?

Too much sun, I guess.

Now, no wisecracks from you guys.

Hey, it's stronger in here.

That's funny. It smells something like fish.

That's just what I said. It's not in my head.

Reminds me of an umpire.

Now, don't be shoving me and pushing me around.

I'll get to the bottom of this thing, all right.

Old bird-dog Bill's on the scent.

Hey, come on out of there. Come on.

Get out of there.

Come on, get out of there.

A kid. Where'd he come from?

Did I tell you what I found in my room, last week?

You?

I didn't do anything.

Maybe you didn't do anything, but you sure smell funny.

I don't smell anything.

Well, you've learned to live with it.

Who are you, where are you from, and how did you get in here?

Take it easy, Bill.

Yeah, Bill. Remember your lumbago.

Roger Maris. Mickey Mantle.

Gosh. Gee.

"Gosh. Gee."

Is that all you can say?

What's your name, kid?

Mickey Mantle.

Roger Maris.

"Mickey Mantle! Roger Maris!"

One of you three guys is a phony.

What's your name, son?

Hutch.

Well, Hutch, what are you doing here?

I came to see you.

Well, now you see them in the flesh

and they're sure ordinary, aren't they?

No, they're not.

Don't pay attention to him, Hutch. He's getting too old.

Old?

I could still out-hit you two if it wasn't for my lumbago.

Hey, Rog, Mick, Houk wants to see you right away.

Okay, Whitey.

What'd we do now?

Well, I suppose he wanted to know

what you were both doing on third base

at the same time yesterday.

It's no wonder, the coaching we've been getting.

Will we see you at practice tomorrow, Hutch?

Yeah, sure...

Good night, Hutch.

Come on now, Hutch. It's getting late

and your folks will be worried.

I'll drive you home.

Oh, no. You don't have to do that.

My dad, uh, he's a cab driver

and all I got to do is call him and he'll pick me up.

What's his name?

Joe.

Joe, who?

Joe Brown.

Well, now, that's an unusual name.

Joe Brown, the taxi driver.

Oh.

Give me the front door, please.

Front door. Yes, sir, Mr. Turner?

Do you know a cab driver named Joe Brown?

Joe Brown? Yes, sir, I do. He's engaged to my sister.

Well, send him over here.

I've got his kid here in my room,

and I'll bring him right down.

His, what? Yes, sir. I'll get him right away.

Now, where are you going?

I'll meet him downstairs.

I'll go right down with you.

Come on, kid. Come on, let's go.

Hey, Bill? Yeah.

Can I see you for a minute?

Sure, you can.

You're all right, ain't you, kid?

Sure, I can go down alone.

Well, when you get home, do me a favor, will you?

Sure, Mr. Turner. Anything.

Take yourself a good bath with soap.

What's the beef?

Hello, Lyle. What did you call for?

"Hello, Lyle. What did you call for?"

What's this about your having a kid, Joe?

Kid? What kid? Your kid.

I don't have a kid.

"I don't have a kid."

Eighteen years you go with my sister.

She didn't even know you'd been married before.

Married? Who said I'm married?

The way most people get kids, ain't it, Joe?

Look, Lyle, I'm telling you for the last time,

I don't have a kid and I'm not married.

Yeah. Guys like you, I read about in magazines, Joe.

And furthermore, you're not working

this stand anymore and don't forget it.

Now, out! Just move! Out! Out!

Now, batting, Hutch Lawton.

Strike!

Strike two!

Hi, cat.

Wow.

Mickey Mantle.

Roger Maris.

Good morning, honey. Good morning.

Mike up, yet?

He's still asleep. I'll wake him.

Oh, no. Let him sleep, Vincent.

He looked so tired yesterday.

Come in!

Good morning. Hi.

Oh, did I catch you in the middle of breakfast?

No, that's all right.

I just dropped by to say hello to Hutch.

Isn't he with you?

No.

Mike! Mike, where's Hutch?

Hutch?

He's with Johana.

Mike, I want to know.

Well...

Mike.

Has something happened to him?

No. Then where is he?

Well...

Wait a minute, Johana.

Mike, you better tell us and you better tell us right now.

Papa, I can't tell you. I gave my word of honor.

Don't you understand?

Oh, I understand.

But you better understand, young man,

that when I count to 10, I'm calling the police.

One, two... Papa, please don't!

...three, four... Please, papa, understand!

...five, six... I don't care what you do to me!

...seven, eight... Not even if you hit me with a rubber hose!

...nine, ten. I'm calling. Or strap me in the electric chair!

Please, papa, no!

Vince, wait a minute.

Mike, I know you think you're doing the right thing, but you're not.

Hutch could get into a lot of trouble. He could get hurt.

Don't worry, Johana.

Hutch can take care of himself.

Everybody thinks Hutch can take care of himself.

Mike, I just want you to know that he's probably just as afraid as you are

and probably wants to cry just as badly.

Please tell us where he is.

Mike.

Please.

He went to see Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Oh, no, not baseball.

How?

He went in papa's truck.

He did not!

Yes, he did, papa, with the fish you took to Miami.

Ken's off the Bahama Keys.

I better call the coast guard. Maybe they can contact him by radio phone.

Right.

Thanks, Mike. And don't worry.

I'll explain it to Hutch.

There's that kid again!

He's following us. He must be a spook.

Safe!

Hey, you, kid! Come here!

Now, watch me get rid of him.

Do you mean you really want to get rid of him?

Well, what's the matter with that?

You might be making a mistake, Bill.

Oh, no, no. This kid's a baseball nut.

He's a nuisance.

I guess you're right.

He reminds me of a couple of kids I used to know.

Couldn't get enough of baseball.

Used to follow the players around everywhere they went.

Don't that prove just what I said?

A nuisance. A baseball nuisance.

So, we grew up, joined the Yankees,

just to give you somebody to holler at.

Well, you mean, you think this kid's really got a chance?

Did you see him run around those bases?

Faster than Mickey.

Hey, kid!

Well, get out there and run around those bases again.

Let me see you go. Now dig in there.

Show me something.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, get in there.

Why don't I get that kind of respect from you guys?

He can run.

Boy, if he had a little more weight...

And if he could only hit. If that kid could hit.

He's too young. What's the matter with me?

The kid is too young.

They grow up pretty fast.

Well, then he can come back in 10 years.

Break open that cast-iron heart, Bill.

All he wants to do is watch a little training.

Well, what's Houk gonna say if I let him sit on the bench?

Oh, sit on the bench now, is it?

Well, he runs good, but you know Houk.

We'll square it with Ralph. We'll tell him he's your son.

Son? Why I ain't never been married.

All right, your nephew.

Hey, that's better. I got a brother in Yonkers.

Hey, do you know this is a school day?

Okay, teacher, start the class.

Okay, you bunch of mangy rookies.

Go and get on your uniforms.

Okay, coach. Hustle it up.

Come here, kid.

Do you want to watch training?

Gosh. Gee. Could I?

"Gosh. Gee."

If you do exactly as I tell you.

Sure, Mr. T-Turner. You're the coach.

Well, I wish you'd tell that to Maris and Mantle.

Could I talk to Mr. Mantle and Mr. Maris?

I just have to talk to them.

Not right now, son. Maybe after the session.

Gosh. Gee.

"Gosh. Gee."

Now, you go over there and sit down and be a good boy.

And if anybody asks you who you are,

just tell them you're my nephew.

But only for today.

You even smell better today.

Have they found him yet? No.

But Mike told us he went to Fort Lauderdale.

The police are looking for him now.

Let's go.

What's that youngster doing on the bench?

Oh, he's all right. That's my brother's kid from Yonkers.

He doesn't look like you.

I'm a lot better looking than my brother.

Yeah? You can't tell me that.

Keep on running. Run harder than that.

Come on. Let's go. Let's go.

Come on! Hit that bag!

Attaboy! Attaboy!

Now, now, now you're working.

Keep that ball moving good.

That's good, Phil. That's good.

Keep that ball moving. Okay, Tom.

Keep the ball moving, now!

Keep your eye on the ball, and follow through.

That's it. That's it.

All right, stay with it, now.

All right, come on, now.

You start moving when that ball does.

Stay with it. Stay with it.

Come on, keep it up. Keep it up, now. Keep it up. Keep it up.

Plenty alive. Pepper. Pepper now. Come on.

Attaboy, Tommy. I knew you could get me.

You find out who your friends are, don't you?

Come on, get it now.

Everybody, come on, now.

Go!

Get to the same positions. Come on, peppy!

Keep hustling out there.

Go!

You got to keep that throw low.

That's it.

Get rid of that ball fast, now.

Hand it to him, just let her high.

That's the way. Get it up there.

Get it up there, right where you want it.

Right where you want it, now.

Keep running! Keep running!

Keep running! Keep running!

Get a little better lead than that.

Get a better lead.

Watch for the signs.

Watch for the sign!

Now, you outfielders, bunch up.

You outfielders, bunch up.

Keep the ball low, now.

Keep that ball low.

Okay, Mickey.

Come on, Roger! That's the way to go.

That's all today, Bill. Wrap it up.

Okay, boss. Come on in, fellows!

Come on! That's it!

Come on!

You were terrible today, which is a lot better than yesterday.

Mr. Bill? Yeah.

Please, Mr. Bill, can I talk with them now?

Well, if you behave yourself and don't get in their way.

I won't. I promise.

Well, all right, go ahead.

Hi, Bill.

Hi, Joe.

You sure must have sweet-talked that grass.

The field is in great shape.

Thanks, Bill. You're welcome.

Say, Bill.

Oh, hi, Ralph.

Looking for a little boy. Have you seen one?

No.

Missing since yesterday?

Yes.

Red hair?

Yes.

Smart as a whip?

Yes.

Uh-huh.

Smell just a little fishy?

Now, lady, you stay there and you come with me.

See, you just got to help me. You just got to come back.

And then I had to tell them I knew you, I had to.

And I promised you'd be there,

and Phil, I promised him he'd get his leg autographed.

So I ran away and came here.

Why didn't you tell your father, Hutch?

Well, you see,

it's different with us than with most fathers and their kids.

My father trusted me to handle things.

We're partners.

And I made a mess of it.

I just can't tell him I did.

So you got to help me. You just got to come back.

It's their play. Let them finish it.

When is this banquet, Hutch?

Next Saturday. You mean you'll come?

No, Hutch.

I'm afraid not, Hutch.

There's something else you have to do?

Just our training. That's all.

But, Mr. Mantle, please.

Hutch, you lied when you said you knew Rog and me.

And you lied when you said we'd come to your banquet, too.

If we showed up now, we'd just be trying to make your lie good.

You can't make a foul ball fair by moving the base line.

It's just not in the rules.

More than that, Hutch, it'd mean we were lying to all your teammates, too.

When a lie starts, it involves everyone.

You understand, Hutch.

I--I didn't mean to be so bad.

Everybody boots one, now and then.

That's right, Hutch.

What am I gonna do?

There's only one thing you can do,

and that's face up to what you've done.

Every man has the responsibility for what he's done.

If what he's done is wrong, then he must undo it.

You mean, tell them?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, I'll try.

Son.

Dad.

Come on. It's time for us to go home.

Thanks.

I was wrong.

You two guys weren't so bad today after all.

Are we home?

Yes, Son, we're home.

Jo, would you wait for me?

Sure.

He's awfully small, isn't he?

Yes.

You know, I always thought that...

Well, that he kind of came up to here on me.

Then I saw him out there today.

He's just a little boy, Jo. He's a child.

I know.

Well, the world must seem very large to a little boy.

Sometimes, even when we grow up, it seems that way.

Very large.

Very alone.

Yeah.

Yes, I know.

I've felt that way now a long time.

Ever since Hutch's mother died.

So I wasn't there when my son really needed me.

He didn't need a partner and he didn't need a pal or a friend.

He needed a father.

I certainly haven't been that.

I haven't been much of anything.

I've been too afraid.

But now it's time I stopped being afraid

and started being, among other things, a father.

I'm glad, Ken.

Good night, Ken.

Good night, Jo.

Maybe they've all gone home.

No, Hutch. I called Mr. Marshall.

They're waiting inside.

Well, see you.

Son, I think you've done enough alone.

I'll go in with you.

Thanks.

Quiet down, everyone! Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!

Let's all sit down.

Sit down, boys.

Are they coming, Hutch? Will he sign my cast?

Just a minute, Phil.

My son has something he'd like to tell you.

I got something to say.

They're not coming.

They never were coming.

I made it all up, all of it.

My dad doesn't know Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle

and I don't know them.

I lied to you.

Lied.

That's what I had to tell you.

Sorry.

But what about my pictures, my autographed pictures?

I signed those, Henry.

You did?

You mean Roger and Mickey won't autograph my cast?

Daddy, he lied. He lied to all of us.

Yeah!

Yeah!

All right, quiet! Hold on!

Quiet!

All right, he lied.

But it takes guts, Henry, to stand up and admit it.

I respect guts.

It makes for a good teammate.

Mr. Lawton, I want you to help me plan that banquet next Saturday night.

Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Marshall.

I'm afraid I'll be busy next Saturday.

Dad.

Well, as a matter of fact, you will be, too, Hutch.

In fact, we'll all be busy.

We'll all be busy accepting another invitation,

one that came just an hour ago.

You see, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle never were Hutch's old friends.

But, now, Hutch has two new friends,

and they've invited us all down to their camp for spring practice.

Mickey!

Hey, Roger! Hey, Mickey!

Bill, go take charge of our new farm club.

Okay, Ralph.

Let me have your attention, kids!

Would you all listen to me, will you?

Wait a minute, will you?

Wait a minute, you rookies! I'm talking to you!

When I talk, you listen!

I'm gonna run this thing from now on for a few minutes.

And I want to see what you kids can do out on that ball field.

Now get out there and show me a little pep, a little hop! Move around!

Get out there!

Come on, fellows.

Dad, Johana, this is Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Hello, Roger, Mickey. Rog, Mick.

This is my dad and maybe my new mom.

You sure have a fine boy here, Mr. Lawton.

He sure is.

He's lucky. He's got two of the best friends in the world.

Hutch, why don't you run out there and play center field?

Center field? Go to right field.

No, go to center field.

How about left?