"MONEYBALL" (2011)

Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin

Story by Stan Chervin

Based on the book by Michael Lewis

Therewillalwaysbepeoplewhoareaheadof thecurve,andpeoplewhoarebehindthecurve. Butknowledgemovesthecurve.

Staticshots:Adesertedlockerroom.Emptyshowers. Cinder-blocktunnelslitwithwire-encasedlampslikein acoalmine.THREESECURITYGUARDSwatchagameonaTV.

LEGEND: October15,2001

Webegintoheardisembodiedcheeringcrowdsandthe faintvoiceofanannouncer-

BRENNAMANV/O

-.-nobodyon,twoandtwotoSaenz-who hasjustthreeatbatsintheseries,and noneofthemhits-as hesettlesbackin

Attheendofa tunnel,theA’semptydugout.Theempty diamond.Justacoupleofthefloodlightsareon.

BRENNAMANV/O

- Riveralooksinforthesign,hehas it,thepitch,Saenzswingsand-

Theannouncer’svoiceandexcitedcrowdabruptlycut off.Insilence,weregardthe60,000emptyseatsthat wraparoundtheplayingfield...butthenseethat,in fact,it’s59,999emptyseats.There’salonefigure seatedinoneofthem.Thesoundsnapsbackon:

STEVELYONSV/O

- agroundouttosecond,Thom,isnot whattheA’swerelookingforfromSaenz- downbytwoin theninth-

Thelonemaninthestadiumhasaradioandabagof

diamond-apeaceonlyslightlybelied,perhaps,bythe

radiobackon-

BRENNAMANV/O

EricByrneshasemergedfromthedugout to batforMenechino-

Heturnsitoffagain.Calmlyeatsapeanut.Waits. Switchestheradiobackon-

BRENNAMANV/O

—theA’saredowntotheirlaststrike andthisYankeecrowdisonitsfeet- Riverasquintsforthesign,hehasit, deliversand-

Again,atthecrucialmoment,hecutstheradio.Waits justa fewmoments.Turnstheradiobackon-

BRENNAMANV/O

ItisbedlaminNewYork.TheYankees- downtwogamestonone-havecomeback towinthree,andtheDivisionSeries.

Theoutcomeoftheseriesseemstohavenoeffecton Billy.He simplygetsup,switchesofftheradio,and

hear,ashecomespastshutteredconcessionstandstoward anexit,thevoiceofoneoftheannouncers-

STEVELYONSV/O

Thisisanexceptionalfeatnotonlyfor NewYork,Thom,butforOakland-though notthekindyoucanbeproudof:Only oncebeforehasateamlostaDivision Seriesafterwinningthefirsttwogames-

It’scomingfromasmalltelevisionanightsecurity guardiswatching.ButwhenheseesBillyapproaching, hequicklyshutsitoff.

BILLY

It’sokay,Joe,youcanleaveiton. It’snobigdeal.

SECURITYGUARD

No,it’sokay,Idon’tneedtowatchit.

Theguard’seyesconsiderthebaseballBillyabsently turnsinhishands-

BILLY

How’sMeg?

SECURITYGUARD

She’sgood,thanks.

- andtheglasswindowofthebarbehindhim-

BILLY

Andtheboys?

SECURITYGUARD

They’regood.Everybody’sgood.

BILLY

That’sgood.

Thesecurityguardwaitsforthebaseballtosailthrough theglass,butitdoesn’thappen.

BILLY

Night.

SECURITYGUARD

Night,Billy.Itwasagreatseason.

Alonecarsitsintheparkinglotinfrontofthe Coliseum.WeHEAR-

TARAV/O

Theyhadthreetimesyourpayroll,Billy.

BILLY

Yeah...

TARAV/O

You’renotwatchingthemcelebrate, right?

Car’soff.Billysitsinthedarkonhisphone.

BILLY

No.Thatwouldbe,uh--

TARAV/O

Pointless?Self-destructive?Masochistic?

BILLY

Areyouaskingmetopickone?

TARAV/O

Whatyoushouldbedoingisthinking aboutwhatanamazingjobyoudidandhow greatyouare.

BILLY

I’1lbehonest,rightthisminuteI’mnot thinkingabouteitherofthosethings.

TARAV/O

Youtakeateamwiththatpayrolltothe playoffs?YoutaketheYankeestoafifth game?I’mnotevensurethebetterteam won.

BILLY

Theyweredowntwo-loveandthenbeatus threeinarow.Trustme,thebetterteam won.

BILLYpressesabuttononhisportableradioandishit withsoundofsportstalkradio--

CALLERV/O

--whileembarrassingtheentirecityand makingamockeryoftheirfans.I’msick ofthis.

TARAV/O

Let’sgoaway.

BILLY

Thatsoundsgood.

CUTTOWHATBILLY’SBEENLOOKINGATTHISWHOLETIME-

ThreeenormousloominglikenessesoftheOaklandA’s premiereplayersonfloodlitbanners--JasonGiambi, JohnnyDamon,JasonIsringhausen.

TARAV/O

Someplacetheydon’thaveabaseball team.

BILLY

HowaboutOakland?

TARAV/O

Okay,herearetherulesfortonight.You candoanythingyouwantbutyoucan’t giveanyquotestothepress,goonthe internetorhurtmycar,wehaveadeal?

BILLY

Yeah.

TARAV/O

Theyhadthreetimesyourpayroll,Billy.

Fromtheradiowe’vebeenhearingshardsof“--an unprecedentedchoke--”,“--getridofBillyBeane--"”,“-- BillyBeaneknowsnothingaboutbaseball--”.

BILLY

Yeah.

TARAV/O

HowaboutHawaii?I’11makea

theturtles.

Billygetsoutofthecar.

BILLY

Great.I’mon myway.

Billychuckstheradioaway.Getsbackinthecar,puts itingear.HARDCUTTO--

Blurofshapesandcolorsaswemovethroughacrushof travelerstoaHawaiianAirlinescounterwhereBillyand Taracheckluggage.Billy’sgotacellphonetohisear.

BILLY

Is itBoston?You’retalkingtoBoston? Whataretheyoffering?

BORAS(ONPHONE)

Whatdoesitmattertoyou?

BILLY

What?!

BORASV/O

I mean--whatdoesitmattersince whateveritisyoucan’taffordit.

BILLY

Youdon’tknowthat.

BORASV/O

I don’t?

TICKETCLERK

Youneedtohurry.

BILLY

I don’tknowthat--sinceIdon’tknow whatthey’reoffering.

(toTara)

Whatdidshesay?

TARA

Shesaidwehadto hurryup.

BILLY

Scott?Scott?

Thecall’sbeendisconnected.CUTTO:Anothercorridor,

phonewithBoras,continuingwheretheyleftoff--

BILLY

Whatdidtheyoffer?

BORASV/O

Theyofferedsevenandaquarter.

BILLY

Justtobeclear--theyofferedseven andaquarter.

BORASV/O

Yes.

BILLY

Asopposedtoyousaidsevenanda quarterandthey’rethinkingaboutit.

BORASV/O

No,theyofferedsevenandaquarterand I’mthinkingaboutit. (nothingfromBilly) Andyou’rethinking--what.

BILLY

I’mthinkingIdon’twanttoloseDamon, butIdon’tpaymywholeinfieldseven milliondollars.

TARA

We’relosingDamon?

BORASV/O

Forsevenandahalf,Billy,youcankeep JohnnyDamonandwecanbedonethinking. Ihavetogo,my planeisboarding.

BILLY

Wait,don’thangup.Don’thangup--

Billydropsthephoneinaplasticcontainer,steps throughthemetaldetectorlikeit’sastick-up,grabs thephoneagain.

TSAOFFICER1

Isthatphonestillon?

BILLY

What’sthedifference?

TSAOFFICER1

Faradie.Canhisphonebeon?

TSAOFFICER2

Sir,youneedtoturnyourphoneoff.

BILLY

It’salreadythrough.

Billygrabshisphonefromtheotherside.

BILLY

Sevenpointfive?

BORASV/O

Sevenpointfive.

BILLY

I’1l1talktoSteve.

BORASV/O

TalktoSteve.

Borashangsup.

TARA

Tryto relax.

A smallemergencyisstartingtodevelop.

TARA

Try. Trytorelax.

BILLY

Youlookfantastictoday.

ARNV/O

Hello?

BILLY

Arn. Billy.WegottatalkaboutGiambi.

TARA

Wait,we’relosingGiambi,too?

ARNV/O

I can’ttalkaboutthatnow.Ican’t talkaboutanythingnow.

BILLY

We cantalknow.We’retalkingnow.

ARNV/O

Wecan’ttalknow.I’mata family thing.I’11callyouMonday.

BILLY

Whoareyoutalkingto--theYankees?

ARNV/O

I’mtalkingtoeverybody.Butnottoday. I’mnotintoday.I’mhangingup.

BILLY

Don’thangup. (offphone) Hehungup.

TARA

YoufoundGiambi.

Billydialsanothernumber--

TARA

Athousanddollarssaysyoudon’tgeton theplane.

SECRETARYV/O

ArnTellem’soffice.

BILLY

Denise.Billy. (toTARA) Theseguysareauctioningoffmyteamone playeratatime.

SECRETARYV/O

(overlapping) He’snotintoday,Billy.

BILLY

Iknow,Ijustwanttosendhimflowers.

SECRETARYV/O

Flowers?

TARA

Flowers?

BILLY

WherewouldIsendthem?

SECRETARYV/O

Towho?

BILLY

ToArn.

SECRETARYV/O

Youwanttosendhimflowers?

You’renotgoingtobeanywherenear Hawaii.

BILLY

To whereheisnow,yes.

SECRETARYV/O

BethIsraelTemple,BeverlyHills.

TARA

Theairportisascloseasyougot.

Thankyou,Tara.

SECRETARYV/O

Denise.

TARA

I’mTara.

BILLY

I know.I needaday.

TARA

Billy--

BILLY

Oneday. I’11flyouttomorrow.

TARA

It’sgonnabemorethanoneday.

(pause)

We’relosingIsringhausentoo?

BILLY

Onlyifmy luckstaysexactlythesame.

TARA

It’slikethebellrangbutyou’restill gettinghitinthehead.

(handshimtickets)

Justincase.

BILLY

I’msorry.Havefunoutthere.

TARA

I’mpickingupaguyatthebreakfast buffet.

BILLY

Aleft-handedrelieverifyoucan.

OMITTED

TheceremonyisinprogressasBillyarrives,plucksa yarmulkefromabasket,setsitonhisheadandfindsa placeinthebackrowforhimselfandhiscarry-on.

He listenstotheboy’smonotone-readingofverses.He

persondowntherowandwhispers--

BILLY

Howmuchlongeryouthink?

GUEST

What?

BILLY

Nah,it’sokay.

As attendeesexittheceremonyandentertheadjacent banquethall,BillyhascorneredArnTellem,pickingup rightwhereheleftoffthreehoursagoinOaklandonthe phone--

BILLY

Arn,Idon’twannalosehim.

ARN

Billy--

BILLY

Idon’twannalosehim.

ARN

Thisismynephew’sBarMitzvah.

BILLY

HedidwellwithhisTorahportionI thought.

ARN

Thankyou.

BILLY

Whatdidtheyoffer?

ARN

He’snotstayinginOakland,Billy.

BILLY

WhatdidtheYankeesofferhim?

ARN

It’sNewYork;you’vegottogivea playerareasonnottoplaythere.

BILLY

Whatdidtheyoffer?

ARN

17 million.

BILLY

Noway.

ARN

Yeah.

BILLY

I don’tpaymywholeinfield17million dollars.

ARN

I know,Iknow...

BILLY

Forhowlong?

ARN

17 ayearforsevenyears.

Billystares,completelynonplussed...

BILLY

A hundredandtwentymilliondollars?

ARN

Hundredandnineteen.

(beat)

YougottagetStevetoletyouspendsome money.

BILLY

That’sprettygoodadvice,Ishoulddo that.

ARN

Stevedoesn’tgetit.Thisisn’ta charityraffle.

BILLY

Arn.I getit,hegetsit,Jasongetsit andyoucertainlygetit.I’11talkto him.

ARN

Andyou’relosingIsringhausen,too.

BILLY

Yathink?

ARN

I’vegottagetback.

BILLY

Heymazeltov,Arn.

ARN

Thankyou.Goodluck.

Arnwalksaway.Billylookstohisrighttoseea12year oldkidstandingrightnexttohim.

KID

AreyouBillyBeane?

BILLY

Yes.

KID

Thatwasaprettyseriouschoke.

BILLY

Areyoufromaroundhere?

KID

Yeah.

BILLY

YouaDodgerfan?

KID

Yeah.

Billyhandsthekidhisscotch--

BILLY

Here,drinkalotofthis.

--andwalksaway.

Billytries,butishavingtroublesittingstillashe talkswithSteveSchott-theA’sowner-around60-a collegeplayerwaybackwhen.He’sasuccessfulhome buildernow.Modelsofdevelopmentsliearound.

BILLY

We’relosingDamonandGiambi.Wecan’t survivelosingDamonandGiambi.

SCHOTT

Isringhausen’sgone,too,don’tyou think?

BILLY

I canwinwithoutacloser.Ican’t withoutpower.

SCHOTT

So negotiatewiththem.

BILLY

I have.Theywantmore.

SCHOTT

So offerthemalittlemore.

BILLY

I have.Theywantmorethanalittle more.

SCHOTT

Likewhat.What’1llitcost-say- to keepGiambi?

BILLY

SCHOTT

17 forhowmany(years)-

BILLY

One.

SCHOTT

Foroneyear?

means.Itmeans,Thatmakesiteasy-there’snothing moretodiscussonthematter.

SCHOTT

I haveconfidenceyou’1llfindawayto makeitworkwithoutthem.

BILLY

Ican’t.

SCHOTT

Sureyoucan.

BILLY

Steve-

SCHOTT

Billy.Whatarewe?TheTajMahal? We'reasmall-marketteam.Obviously,we can’taffordGiambiatsucha(price)-

BILLY

Fine.He’sgone.ButI might-fora bitmorethanlastyear-beabletokeep Damonin(Oakland)- (Steveisshakinghis headno) Ineedmoremoney,Steve.

SCHOTT

Billy...

BILLY

Ican’tcompeteagainstahundredand twentymilliondollarpayrollwitha fortymilliondollarpayroll.

SCHOTT

Wejustwon102gameswithaforty milliondollarpayroll.

BILLY

WithGiambiandDamon.Wewouldn’thave withoutthem.

Silence.Then—-

BILLY

Youcan’taskmetobeokaywithlosing. That’stoomuchtoaskaprofessional athlete.

SCHOTT

Billy--

BILLY

It’stoomuch,Steve!

SCHOTT

You'renotaprofessionalathlete! (beat) You’reaprofessionalGM.

(MORE)

SCHOTT(CONT'D)

We’reasmallmarketteam.You’reasmall marketGM.AndI’maskingyoutobeokay withnotspendingmoneyIdon’thave.And I’maskingyoutotakeabreathandshake offtheloss.AndthenI’maskingyouto getbackina roomwithyourpeopleand figureouthowyou’regoingtoreplace theseguyswiththemoneyIdohave.

(beat)

Gotit?

SCHOTTcangofrommilquetoasttoruthlessinablinkand hejustdid.

Billy’sonhiscellagainashecrossestheBayBridge.

BILLY

Scott.Billy.

BORASV/O

Whatwasthatbeep?

BILLY

It’sjustmyphone,it’saboutto die,butthis’1llbequick-listen- I’mlosingmyfavoriteprospects, butI gotyouthesevenpointfive.

BORASV/O

That’sgreat.I’1l1getrightbackto (you)-

BILLY

No. No,youwon’t.I gotitforyouand we'redone.DamonstaysinOakland.

BORASV/O

Billy-I havetotalktoJohnny- obviously.It’smyfiduciary(duty)-

BILLY

Whosenumberisthat-sevenpointfive. Mine?

BORASV/O

No,it’smine-

BILLY

It’syours.Somakeyourcall,butdon’t playme,Scott.Wehaveadeal.I won’t be astalkinghorse.Thewordstaysin the- dictionary.

ThedoorpushesopenandBillycomesinafterhisvery longday.He setshiscarry-onbagdown.Takesouthis

onthe landline.

BILLY

Sorry,hon.I’mgonnaneedanotherday.

TARA(V.O.)

Takeyourtime,doyourthing.Thereare alotof cuteguyshere.

BILLY

You'vegotmysuitcase?

TARA(V.O.)

No,theairlinesentittoPrague.

BILLY

(pause) Why?

TARA(V.O.)

Well,weleftoutofOakland,honey... andIthinkthebaggagehandlersknewit wasyours.

BILLY

(beat,canthisget anyworse?) Okay.

Billy’scellphonerings--

BILLY

Igottatakethis.

TARA(V.O.)

Wishyouweren’tinsane.Missyou.

Shehangsup.Billyhangsupandswitchestohiscell--

BILLY

Yeah.

BORAS(V.O.)

withDan.

BILLY

No,youdidn’t.

BORAS(V.O.)

Yeah,Iwassurprisedheevencalledme. Becausehehadsaid--

BILLY

No,I haveJohnnyforseven-point-fiveor he’snotplayinganywhere,becausethat’s thedeal--

BORAS(V.O.)

Bostonjustuppedittoseven-seven-five.

Billy’shandisalreadyinmotiontosmashthephone, butinaherculeanfeatofselfdisciple,hemanagesto restrainhimselfbeforeimpact.

BORAS(V.O.)

Youthere?

BILLY

We hadadeal.

BORAS(V.O.)

We haveadeal.Ifit’seightmillion.

BILLY

Whyam Itheugliestgirlatthedance, Scott?Whydo IgetthefeelingI’m alwaysgonnabeaquartermillionshort?

BORAS(V.O.)

I’mjustdoingmyjobformyclient. That’sallI’mdoing.

BILLY

No,youplayedme.Andyou’replayingme now. Congratulations,asshole.Youwin.

Billyhangsuponhim.

OMITTED

Billyandhisscoutingdepartment-tenmenolderthan him-allformerplayersandtobaccochewersstill,each withhisowncanofCopenhagenandwastebasket-sitting aroundalargeundergroundcinderblock“warroom”whose mostextravagantappointmentisaMr.Coffee.

Twolargewhite-boardsdominateawall,coveredwith magneticstripswithplayers’namesonthem.

Onthe leftboard-everyplayerintheA’sorganization. Ontheother,evenlargerboard-everyplayerthatmay beof interesttothemfromtheotherorganizations.

It’sthemostcomplexchessboardyouwilleversee. Butwhatcanbeeasilydiscernedaretheobviousholesin theA’steam-the starplayerstheyareabouttolose- theirnamessetapartfromthepositionsthey’re vacating:JasonGiambi(1B),JohnnyDamon(CF),Jason Isringhausen(RP).

GRADY

Alright,guys...wehadagreatyear.We won102gamesandweonlycameabuck shortinNewYork.Nowthebadnews... we'vegotthreebigholestofill. (then) Let’sstartwithwhowelikeforGiambi. We’llgoaroundtheroom.Whoyoulike, Matty?

KEOUGH

IlikeGeronimo. (approvalfromthe otherscouts) Guy’sanathlete.Thisguyisbig,fast andtalented.

GEORGE

Sixfootfour.

PITTARO

Topofmylist.

POTE

Cleancut,goodface.

ARTIE

Goodjaw.He’stherealdeal.

GEORGE

Fivetools,goodlookin’.

BILLY

Canhehit?

KEOUGH

He’satoolsguy.

BILLY

Canhehit?

KEOUGH

He’sgotagreatswing.Naturalswing.

BILLY

So you’resayinghecan’thit.

KEOUGH

He canhit.

BARRY

Theballexplodesoffhisbat.

ARTIE

It’sexciting.Whenhehitsitsounds likehe’sdroppin’afirecrackerathis feet.

PITTARO

Downinthepisseryoucanhearthat sound.

BARRY

SoundslikeMays,Mantle,Aaron...

BILLY

That’snotwhatIasked.Iaskedcanhe hit.

KEOUGH

He’sa goodhitter.

BILLY

If he’sagoodhitter,whydoesn’thehit good?

KEOUGH

He needsalittlework.He’llbeableto hit. Hecouldbeagreathitter.

BILLY

Right...weputhimupagainstbigleague competitionandsuddenlyhe’1llbeableto hit.

Gradymoveson--

GRADY

Artie,whodowelike?

Billybacksoff,incredulousasthescoutsprattleon--

ARTIE

I likePerez.Heswingslikeaman.

KEOUGH

He swingslikeamanwhoswingsattoo much.

ARTIE

There’ssomeworkneedstobedone.I

little.Buthe’snoticeable.

GRADY

He’snotable?

ARTIE

No,he’snoticeable.Younoticehim.

KEOGH

He’sgotanuglygirlfriend.

BARRY

What’sthatmean?

KEOGH

Uglygirlfriendmeansnoconfidence.

BARRY

Alright.That’strue.

PITTARO

IagreewithArt.I likethewayhe walksintoaroom.Kid’ssoconfident hisdickgetstheretwominutesbeforehe does.

GEORGE

Passestheeyecandytest.He’sgotthe looks,he’sreadytoplaythepart.He justneedssomeplayingtime.

KEOUGH

I’mjustsaying,hisgirlfriend’sa6.

BARRY

Billy,ifyouwanttotalkaboutanother Giambi,thisguycouldbeit.

Enough.Billyraisesabookabovethetable,dropsit withadullTHUD...STOPPINGTRAFFIC.

GRADY

Isthatasuggestion,Billy?

BILLY

Guys,stop.You’retalkinglikethisis businessasusual.It’snot.

GRADY

We’retryingtosolvetheproblem.

BILLY

Notlikethis.You’renotevenlooking at theproblem.

GRADY

We notonlyhaveaveryclear understandingoftheproblemwenowface, buteveryoneinthisroomhasfaced Similarproblemscountlesstimesbefore.

BILLY

Good.What’stheproblem?

GRADY

Theproblemisthatwe’velost3key playersthatwenowhavetoreplace.

BILLY

Uh-uh.What’stheproblem?

PITTARO

Theproblemisthesameasitalwaysis; we’vegottoputa teamtogetherwith whatwe’vegot.

BILLY

Uh-uh.What’stheproblem?

BARRY

We’vegot38homerunstoreplace,120 rbi’s,47doubles...

BILLY

Okay,stop.Theproblemwe’retryingto solveisthatthisisanunfairgame. Therearerichteams,poorteams,50feet of crapandthenthere’sus.Andnow we’vebeengutted.We’reorgandonorsto therich. TheRedSoxtookourkidneys

I’mlisteningtothesameoldshitabout havingagoodbodyandbeingatoolsguy likeyou’relookingforFabio.Isthere anotherfirstbasemanlikeGiambi?

(beat)

Is there?

Everyonemumbles“no.”

BILLY

Thenstoplookingforonebecausewhat we'llsurelywindupwithisthe McNuggetsversionofGiambi.

GRADY

Look,we’regonnafind25guys,put‘em throughplayerdevelopment,teach‘emhow

thewaywe’vebeendoingitfor150 years.Letusdoourjob.

BILLY

Ifwetryto playliketheYankeesin here,we’renotgoingtobeabletoplay withthemoutthere.

GRADY

That’sfortunecookiewisdom.

BILLY

No,it’sjustregularwisdom.

POTE

Who’sFabio?

GRADY

Okay,Billy.Clearlyyouhavesomething onyourmind.

BILLY

BillJames.

ARTIE

You’renotserious?

PITTARO

We’renotplayingfantasybaseball, Billy.

BARRY

Thosearen’tnewideas,theydisproved thatyearsago.

GRADY

BillJameswasanightsecurityguardat theStokelyVanCampPorkandBeans Factory.

BILLY

Hethinksdifferentlythananyonein baseball.

GRADY

He’snotinbaseball.He’sinporkand beans.

BILLY

Don’tattacktheman,attackthe argument.

I thinkhejustwontheargument.

Chuckles.

BILLY

Whatifwe’vebeenwrongthiswholetime aboutwhatingredientsmanufactureawin? Whatifthiswholetimewethoughtitwas thechickenthatmadethechickensoup tastegoodwhenreallyitwastheonions thatmadethechickensouptastegood? Onionsarealotcheaperthanchicken, youseewhatI’msaying?

POTE

I don’thavethefirstideawhatyou’re saying.

BILLY

We gottastartover.Wegottarethink

aren’tlooking.

GRADY

Withallduerespect,we’vebeendoing thisfora longtime.

BILLY

Thatdoesn’tmeanyou’redoingitright. Do youwatchnaturedocs?Youknowwhat happenstotheruntofthelitter?He dies. I’mopentoanysolution,aslong as it’snotwhattheotherguysare doing.

(then)

Now,I’mgoingtoClevelandtopoachan outfieldernamedBrandonGarcia--

TBDSCOUT

Holdon-- You’regoingtoClevelandfor a double-Aguy?

GRADY

Billy,I’veseenGarcia.He’sgotabad body. It’snotaprettysight.

PITTARO

Kidwearsalargepairofunderwear.

KEOGH

Thatisabigboy.

GRADY

He’snotjustbig,butkindofdoughy.A fleshykindofbody.

BILLY

Oh,youmeanlikeBabeRuth.

SCOUTS(UNISON)

He’snoBabeRuth.

PITTARO

Whenhewalks,Billy,histhighsstick together.There’senoughfrictionthere tostartabonfire.

KEOGH

Ifyousawhim,I’mtellingyou,you wouldn’twanttogotoCleveland.

BARRY

Billy,canImakeasuggestion?Ifyou couldgetRicardoRincon...he’dbeworth thetriptoCleveland.

GEORGE

Thatwouldsolveourlefthandedreliever problem.

Unanimousapprovalfromthescouts--

BILLY

Really?

SCOUTS(UNISON)

Yeah.

BILLY

IshouldgetRincon?

SCOUTS(UNISON)

Definitely.

BILLY

Okay.I’11alsocomebackwithJoe

aFabergéegg?Guys,youaren’thearing me--in whatuniversecanweafford Rincon? (then) I’maskingyouguystolookatthisgame differentlythanyou’veeverlookedatit before.I’mgoingtoCleveland.

(MORE)

BILLY(CONT'D)

AndwhenI comeback,Iwantyoutotell me somethingIdon’talreadyknow.I wanttoquestioneverything.We'vegot to rethinkthisgame.

Asheexits--

BILLY

AndGrady?Nobodycaresabouta102win season.

Billystormsout.

KEOUGH

What’saFabergéegg?

CRACK!AballsailswellovertheheadsoftheSCOUTSin theoutfieldwhoareshaggingthebattingpracticeflies. TheKIDSintheparkinglothaveseenBillyplaybefore andsoknowjusthowfarbacktostandinordertoshaga ball.

BILLY’sattheplate,crushingpitchesfromapitching machine.

CRACK!--hesendsanotheronesailingovertheheadsof theclusterofscouts.

CRACK!CRACK!CRACK!

BILLY,tannedandglisteningwithsweat,looksoverto seeTHREEGIRLSwatchinghimfrombehindthebackstop. They’relookingathimlikehe’sElvisandBILLYtriesto nonchalantitbutcan’thelpasmallsmiletohimself before--

CRACK!

CRACK!CRACK!

SABATINI

Thisistheguy.

MARTINEZ

He’sgota greatpath.Ilovethe extensioninhisswingandthebackspin he creates.

SABATINI

That’ssomeamazingpowerrightthere, huh?

MARTINEZ

Goodapproach,greatbalance.How’she comparetotheothersaroundthecountry?

SABATINI

He’snumberone.Let’sjusthopehe’s stilltherewhenwepick.

MARTINEZ

Thisguy’llgointhefirstround.

Thescoutsputtheplayersthroughtheirpaces-- sprinting,fielding...

SABATINIandMARTINEZaretalkingtoBILLY,who’s towelingoffandisstillalittleawareofallthe peoplewhoarestandingnearbytowatchthebirthofa star.

SABATINI

Billy.I’mSabatini,AreaScout,New YorkMets.Canwegeta coupleminutes ofyourtime,findoutmoreaboutyou?

BILLY

Ofcourse.

SABATINI

I’dliketointroduceyoutoTom Martinez.

MARTINEZ

jobasthenationalcross-checkerforthe NewYorkMets,Iseethetop200players intheUnitedStates.It’sbeenawhile SinceI’veseenafivetoolsguy,the completepackage.Yourthrowingability, yourfieldingskills...Edtoldmeyouhad powerbutIhadnoideaitwasofthe lighttowervariety.Ihopeyou’reas interestedinprofessionalbaseballaswe areinacquiringyouintheupcoming draft.

BILLY

Well,sir,I'dneedtotalkitoutwith my parents,decideifbaseballis

a scholarshiptoplayfootballat Stanford.

MARTINEZ

Well,Billy,we’recertainlylooking forwardtomeetingyourfolksandtalking to themaswell.Andwebelievein college,butthat’ssomethingyoucando in thewintermonths.Youneedtoknow thesky’sthelimitwithyourability. Youcouldbea superstarbeforeyou’ve

level,youneedtoworkwithourpeople. Pro-balliswhereyouneedtobeto developtheskillsGodgaveyou.

UnliketheA’s,thisisafranchisethatcanspend actualmoneyonplayers,andonnicelobbyfurniture, whichiswhereBillysits,staringataclassicbaseball photothathangsinthelobby.

ASSISTANT

Mr.Beane?Mark’sreadytoseeyounow.

OMITTED

Billy’scounterpartinCleveland--IndiansGeneralManager MARKSHAPIRO--35andaboutthreeweeksintothejob--sits behindhisdeskinatieandshirtsleeveslikeBilly.

JoiningthemintheroomareFOUROTHERS,includingPETER BRAND.

SHAPTRO

So Billy,whatareyoulookingfor?

BILLY

50 millioninadditionalpayroll.

SHAPTRO

TryGiambi.

BILLY

Ouch.

SHAPIRO

120million.

BILLY

Ishould'vebeenahitter.

SHAPIRO

Where’sSteveinallthis?

BILLY

team.

SHAPTRO

Bondsisavailable.

BILLY

Yeah,howdoIaffordtherestofthe field?

SHAPIRO

Sowhatareyoulookingfor?Iwantto helpout.

BILLY

Iguessyou’vetouchedthebottomofthe sportsindustrywhenyouropponentis offeringyou--

SHAPIRO

Billy--

BILLY

Ineeda leftyrelieverandIwant RicardoRincon.

SHAPIRO

Notgoingtohappen.

BILLY

Notevenadiscussion?

SHAPIRO

ComeonBilly,evenifyoucouldafford himwe’renotabouttolethimgo.

BILLY

Why’sthat?You’vegottheVenezuelan kidinNorthCarolinayou’rebringingup.

SHAPIRO

WedishedhimtoDetroit.Keepup.

BILLY

Welltheregoesmyotheridea.

SHAPTRO

WhatelseyouthinkingBilly?

BILLY

YouhaveanyoutfieldersIshouldbe lookingat?

SHAPIRO

To replaceDamon?

BILLY

Yeah.

SHAPTRO

That’satoughoneBilly.

BILLY

Yeah. Whodoyougot?

SHAPTRO

Theguysyoumightbeabletoafford? Hollins,Garcia...Coste.

BILLY

TellmeaboutGarcia.

SHAPIRO

To replaceDamon?!

BILLY

Is hehealthy?

SHAPIRO

He hadabackthing,someminorsurgery, buthe’sokay.Petey?

PETEY

He’1lbegoodbySpringTraining.

BILLY

He’1ldo. IcangiveyouGuthrieforhim if youkickinsomecash.

SHAPIRO

MarkGuthrie?

AsShapiroandgangreviewGuthrie’sstats,Billynotices Peterwhisperingtotheguynexttohim.

Shapirolooksaroundtheroomattheguyswhodon’t

SHAPTRO

Howmuchareyouthinking?

BILLY

200K.

BRUCEapproachesShapiroandwhispersandstepsaway.

SHAPIRO

Sorryaboutthat.So...Garciaisgoing tobea no. Whatelseareyouthinking about?

BILLY

Let’smakeitwork,I'llgostraightup withyou,GarciaforGuthrie,nokicker.

ShapirolookstoBruce,Peteriscoveringhismouthwith hishandbutwecanjustbarelyhearhimwhispertheword 'no'.BrucesubtlyshakeshisheadtoMark.

SHAPIRO

SorryBilly,whoelseyouinterestedin?

Petersitsathiscubicleabsorbedinhiscomputeruntil henoticesBillyhoveringoverhim.

BILLY

Hey.

PETER

Hi.

BILLY

Whoareyou?

PETER

MynameisPeterBrand.

BILLY

Whatdoyoudo?

PETER

I’mspecialassistanttoMarkShapiro.

BILLY

Sowhatdoyoudo? (pointingatco- worker) Hey,mindyourownbusiness. (hedoes) Whatdoyoudo?

PETER

Mostlyplayerevaluationrightnow.

BILLY

WhydoesMarklistentoyou?

PETER

Actuallyherarelydoes.

BILLY

He justdid.

PETER

I don’tthinkhewasreallylisteningto me inthereperse.

BILLY

Really?

PETER

Yeah,IthinkhewaslisteningtoBruce.

BILLY

Whoareyou?

PETER

PeterBrand.

BILLY

I don’tgivearat’sassaboutyourname.

NothingfromPeter.

BILLY

Whathappenedinthere?

PETER

I’mnotsurewhatyou’reaskingme.

BILLY

WhatdidyoutellButch?

PETER

Huh? OhBruce?I toldhimIlike Garcia.

Why?

Probablyforthesamereasonsyoudo.

BILLY

Meaningwhat?

PETER

He’sundervalued.Youweresmarttogo afterhim.

BILLY

(longbeat) Whatmakeshimundervalued?

Peterisstuck.Hecan’tbringhimselftosayanything. AfteralongbeatBillynodstohiminawaythatseems to say,‘Iunderstand,it’sokay’.

BILLY

Comeon.

BillymakesastronggestureindicatingPetertofollow.

BILLY

WhereyoufromPeter?

PETER

Maryland.

BILLY

Wheredidyougotoschool?

PETER

Yale.

BILLY

IhateYale.

PETER

Why?

BILLY

KidfromYaleonceblockedatradeIwas tryingtomake.What’dyoustudy?

PETER

Economics.

BILLY

Whatareyoudoinginbaseball?

PETER

Ilovebaseball.

BILLY

I’mjustcurious.Whywereyousocagey inthere?

PETER

I workforadifferentteam.

BILLY

I know,butI’mthefirstpersonin baseballwho’severtalkedtoyouthis long.Right?WhyisGarciaundervalued?

PETER

Okay,truthfully,itmightnotbesoeasy to explain.

BILLY

Really?Why’sthatPeter?

PETER

We mightnotseethegamethesameway.

BILLY

Oh really?Whatdoyoumeanbythat?

PETER

You’vespentyourlifeinbaseballandI don’thaveaverytraditionalviewofthe game.

BILLY

HeyPete,justsayit. I’mnotaboutto beatyouup.Saywhatyou’vealways wantedtosaytoa GM.

PETER

Baseballthinkingismedieval.It’sstuck in theDarkAges.Ihaveamore scientificviewofthegame.

BILLY

Keepgoing,Peter.

PETER

Thereisanepidemicfailurewithinthe gametounderstandwhat’sreally

majorleagueteamstomisjudgetheir playersandmismanagetheirteams. They’restillaskingthewrongquestions. Peoplewhorunbaseballteamsstillthink in termsofbuyingplayers.Sorrytosay that.

BILLY

Peter,don’tapologizeforwhatyou believe.

PETER

Thegoalshouldn’tbetobuyplayers,

wins,youbuyruns.You’retryingto

JohnnyDamonandtheyseeastarworth

lookatJohnnyDamon,Iseeanimperfect understandingofwhererunscomefrom.

ARCHIVALVIDEO:ThebackofJohnnyDamon’sA’sjerseyas hewalkstotheplatetoadoringOaklandfans.

PETERV/O

mattersishisonbasepercentage-

DAMONswingsatthefirstpitchandknocksitintoleft fieldforasingle.Heleadsofffirst--

PETERV/O

-whichin2001was.324.That’s10 pointslowerthanleagueaverage,and17 pointslowerthanGarcia’s.

Onthenextpitch,DAMONtakesoffforsecond--

PETERV/O

True,hestolesomebases.Butattempted stealsingeneralhavetosucceed70%of thetimebeforetheyevenstartto contributetoruntotals.In2001hecost youruns.

DAMON’staggedoutatsecond.

BACKTOTHEGARAGE

PETER

He’sgotagoodglove.He’sadecent leadoffhitter.Hestealsbases.Buthe’s notworththesevenpointfivemillion Bostonispayinghim.You’reluckyto havehimoffyourpayroll,itopensall kindsofinterestingpossibilities.

BILLY

YoureadBillJames,Pete?

PETER

gamearen’tallnew.Infact,someof themhavebeenaroundfortwodecades.

BILLY

If thisapproachhasbeenaroundforso long,whyisn’tanybodyinbaseballdoing them?

PETER

That’samuchmoredifficultquestion

begintopullatthatstring,your understandingoftheworldmightbeginto unravel.

Theelevatordoorcloses.

Billy’sincoach,staringatthenightthroughthe window,lostinthought.

Billy’smotherandfatherescortMartinezandMetsHead ScoutRogerJongewaardintothekitchen.

MOTHER

Billy?They’rehere.

JONGEWAARD

Billy...Goodtoseeyouagain. Obviouslyyou’reaveryspecialplayer. We’dliketocomplimentyouonyourhigh schoolcareer,andwe’relookingforward to youbeingapartoftheMetsfamily.

Jongewaardsitsatthekitchentable,speakingmoreto Billy’sparentsthanBillyhimself--

JONGEWAARD

There’sgood--andthere’spremium. Yoursonispremium.Hehasitall-- power,speed,thearm.TheLook--and I’mneverwrongaboutthat.Whichiswhy thisisa premiumnumber.

Hesetsacontractonthetable.Clippedtoitstop- sheetisacheck.Onitsleft-handcorneristheMets insignia;ontheright,theamount:$125,000.Theyall seeit.A lotofmoneyin1980.Silence.Then--

MOTHER

Billy’sbeenofferedascholarshipto Stanford.

JONGEWAARD

Iknow. Andthat’sagreat accomplishment.I’msureyou’revery proudofhim.

MOTHER

Sohecanacceptthat,gothere,andthen-

Jongewaardisalreadyshakinghisheadno.

JONGEWAARD

Iunderstandhowimportantcollegeis.I do. ButwhatIcan’tdoisburnasecond first-rounddraftpickonsomeonewho can’tplayforfouryears--nomatter howgoodheis. Fouryearsisampletime

thetime.So,no. I’msorry.Ithasto beoneortheother.To postponefour yearsisfouryearshecouldbeinbig

soonerhecanreapthebenefits.

StanfordorTheMoney.YoungBillyregardsthecheck, andthenhisparents.Hereallydoesn’tknowwhattodo.

JONGEWAARD

We’regoingtogivehimadifferentkind ofeducation.Thiswon’tbehislife’s career,it’llbehisfirstcareer.He’s goingtobeayoungguyinthebusiness worldwhenhisbaseballcareerisdone. He’‘1lstillhavehiswholelifeaheadof him.

FATHER

It’syourdecision,Billy.Whateveryou decideisfinewithus.

BILLY’slookingouthiswindowwhileholdinghiscordless phone.He’sdialedthenumbersinandjusthastohitthe greenbutton.

Andnowhedoes.

INTERCUTWITH

PETER’sringingcellphonewakeshimupandheanswers it.

PETER

Hello?

BILLY

It’sBillyBeane.

PETER

Whattimeisit?

BILLY

I don’tcare.Wouldyouhavedraftedme in thefirstround?

PETER

What?

BILLY

AfterIleftyouranmethroughyour computer,right?Wouldyouhavedrafted me inthefirstround?

PETER

Youwerea goodbaseballplayer.

BILLY

Wouldyouhavedraftedmeinthefirst round?

I'dhavedraftedyouintheninthround. No signingbonus.You’dhavepassedand gonetoStanford.

BILLY

Packyoursuitcases.

PETER

Why?

BILLY

I justboughtyoufromtheCleveland Indians.

BILLYhangsupthephone.Hesitsallaloneforamoment.

MONTAGE:Peterpullsintotheparkinglotforhisfirst dayofwork,takesinthesightofthecolossal,concrete relicthatistheOaklandColiseum.He’sjustintimeto seeapaintrolleronalongpolelayingawhitestripe downthemiddleofJasonGiambi’sgiantportrait.

PETER’scompletelyconvertedtheplace.Thedryerase boardsarecoveredwithundecipherableequations, algorithmsandnumbersandPETER,who’sprettytirednow afternotalotof sleep,isinthemiddleofthis.

ThisiswhatBILLYseeswhenhewalksintothedoorway, whereheslowsdown,stopsandlooksaroundblankly.

BILLY

Goodevening.

PETER

Goodevening.

BILLY

Iaskedyoutodothree.

PETER

Yes.

BILLY

Toevaluatethreeavailableplayers.

PETER

Yeah.

BILLY

Andhowmanydidyoudo?

PETER

BILLY

Okay--

PETER

51,Idon’tknowwhyIliedjustthen.

BILLY

Talkmethroughthewall.

PETERgetsupandgivesBILLYatourofthedryerase boards.

PETER

yearwe'regoingtoneedtowinbetween 97and101gamestomakethepostseason. Here’sthenumberofrunswe’llneedto scoreinordertowinthosegamesand here’sthenumberofrunswecanallow.

BILLY

Let’smakesurewe’reonthesamepage.

PETER

Okay.

BILLY

We’regoingtore-thinkbaseball.

PETER

Yes.

BILLY

Lookforaninefficienciesinstatistics.

PETER

Examinethewaysthatrunsarescoredand prevented.

BILLY

Exploitthefactthatunspectacularruns arejustasvaluableas450-footbombs.

PETER

Unspectacularrunsaremorevaluable.

BILLY

Why?

PETER/BILLY (simultaneously)

Becausetheycostless.

BILLY

We believethere’sariverthathasn’t beenfished.

PETER

We knowitforsure.

BILLY

Andbecauseplayershavebeenoverlooked becausetheydon’trisetothestandards of traditionalbaseballthinking,we believethatinthisriver,thereare fish...fishwho--

(BILLYlostit)

Helpmewith--

PETER

availableplayerateverylevelof professionalbaseball,andsomewherein thatgroupare25playersthateveryone haselsehasthrownout.

(MORE)

PETER(CONT'D)

achampionshipteamthatwecanafford.

BILLY

theoryisright--

PETER

Mathisn’tatheory.

BILLY

Ifit’sright--

PETER

It’sright.

BILLY

Itsoundsright.

PETER

Itisright.

BILLY

Ifmathisn’tatheory--

PETER

Itisn’t.

BILLY

I’mgonnapunchyouinthekidneysifyou don’tletmefinishasentence.

PETER

sorry.

BILLY

Ifthisisright,whyisn’teverybody doingit?Infact,whyisn’tanybody doingit?

PETER

Somebodyoncesaid,“It’snotwhatyou don’tknowthatworriesmeit’swhatyou knowforsurethat’sgotmescared.”In themid-19thCenturyinBudapestthere wasanincrediblyhighinstanceof mothersdyingshortlyafterchildbirth fromadiseasecalledpuerperalfever. 35%.

BILLY

Makethisstorylessboringassoonas youcan.

PETER

A doctornamedSemmelweissshowedthatif theattendingphysiciansandnurses sterilizedtheirhandsbeforedelivery, themortalityratedroppedto1%.

BILLY

Andhe wasvilified?

PETER

He wasinstitutionalized.Forsuggesting thatwashingyourhandsbeforeputting theminsidesomeoneelse’sbodywasa

liveunderthespellofaninexplicable mentallapsewhentheythinkasagroup. Whyisn’tanybodyelsedoingit?Because theydon’tthinkguyswholooklikeyou

forsure.

Alright,let’sfindourteam.

Peterschlepshiscomputerstuff.Setsup,plugsin,

videoroomcomputer,worksonacomputerinhisroom, printstwopagesofdataandreviews.

reviews,stands,thenslowlypacesashereads.Peter standsandwatches.

Fromsomewhereintheoutfield,wehaveawideviewof thedarkenedstadiumandBilly’soffice,which,unlike theothers,isilluminated.WecanjustdiscernBilly's silhouetteashecontinuestoslowlypaceandstudy.

BillyandPeterwalkdownalong,subterraneancorridor. Petercarriesalaptopandaslimnotebook.

BILLY

Nervous?

PETER

No??

BILLY

Huh.Interesting.

Peterdoesn’tknowwhattomakeofthat.

Astheynearthescoutingroom,BillyseesARTHOWE waitingforhimoutsideit.

BILLY

Hey,Art.

ART

CanItalktoyoua secondbeforeyouget started.

BILLY

Igota lottodo.

ART

Iknow.

Whateveritis,Billyknowsitcan’tbeasdireashis otherproblems,butalsoknowsthattoignoreArtwould beto insulthim.

HegesturesforPetertogointothescoutingroomalone. He’drathernot,butdoes.Thescouts,assumingperhaps he’stheretomakecoffee,ignorehim.Hefindsaplace to sitinacorner.

ART

Who’sthekid?

BILLY

That’sPeter.

ART

Ican’tmanagethisteamunderaone-year contract.

BILLY

Sureyoucan.

No Ican’t.

BILLY

I’vegottoputa teamonthefield,then I’1ldealwithyourcontract.

ART

Howaboutyoudealwiththemanager’s contractandthenputateamonthe field?

BILLY

At themoment,ifagroundballishitto firstbase,nobody’sgoingtobethereto stopitfromrolling.

ART

I havetotellyouit’snoteasydoing whatI dounderthecloudofaone-year contract.

BILLY

I know.I beenthere.

ART

I knowyouhave.Anda1-yearcontract saysthesamethingtoamanagerasit doestoa player:There’snotalotof

102-winseason.

BILLY

If youlosethelastoneoftheseason nobodygivesashitabouttheothers.

ART

It’sonme now?

BILLY

It’sonme,Art!

(beat)

Andthekid’sthenewassistantgeneral manager.

Whatthefuckareyouabouttodo?

BILLYdoesn’tanswerthequestion,justwalksintothe-

44,

-andignoringPeter-whohastriedtoinconspicuously planthimselfinacorner-pullsupachairtoreceive hisscouts’report-whichGrady,asalways,willlead. Artwandersoff.

GRADY

Howdiditgoin Cleveland?

BILLY

Itwascold.

Thenewsbothersnoone.

GRADY

Let’sgetafterourreliefpitching problem.

BILLY

WegotChadBradford.Right-hander.

Few,ifanyofthem,haveheardofBradfordandbegin leafingthroughtheirprintoutsandnotes.

GRADY

Submariner?

BILLY

That’stheone.Technicallyan underhander.

GRADY

What’shisvelocity?

BILLY

Unimpressive.

ARTIE

About85.

GRADY

Doeshehaveagoodbreakingball?

BILLY

Doesn’thaveone.

GRADY

Whydoyoulikethisguy?

BILLY

Well,hegetspeopleout.

ARTIE

Theleft-handerhittersgetareallygood lookathim.

GRADY

He’sdownthere.He’sdowntherereal low,too.

BILLY

Let’smoveon.

Thescoutsaren’tsurewhattosay,andsosaynothing. Eventually-

GRADY

Well,we,Ithink,havefaredbetter.We havesomeideasforwhattodoabout Giambi.

BILLY

Knockmedown.

GRADY

We tradepowerforspeed.Arabbitfora gorilla-Wegoforan overachiever.A bigheartinthelastyearhiscontract. Tendtoplayhard.We usuallygeta

forsomeoftheoffensewelost.

(putsmorenamesup)

Or theotheroption.Justathought.We go forahigh-maintenanceguy.Aguy that’salittledifficultbuttalented. A guylikeMiltonBradley.Well,not

youwanttotalkaboutfirst?

BILLY

Noneofthem.

Gradylookslikeamanwhocan’ttakemuchmore.

BILLY

You’restilllookingtoreplacehim; you’rejustsayingitanotherway.

BARRY

We gotsometradeshere.

BILLY

We can’tdoit.Whatwecandois recreatehisvaluetousinthe aggregate.

GRADY

The(what)-

BILLY

Giambi’son-basepercentagewas.477. Damon’swas.324.AndOlmeda’s-bless hisheart-was.291.Addthatupand youget-

HepointstoPeter.

PETER

Youwantmetospeak?

BILLY

WhenIpointatyou,yes.

PETER

Ten-ninety-two.

BILLY

Dividedbythree-

PETER

Three-sixty-four.

BILLY

That’swhatwe’relookingfor.And that’swhatwe’llfind.Threeplayers whoseaverageOBPis-

PETER

Three-sixty-four.

ARTIE

Thatdoesn’tcomeoutright.

BILLY

Yougottacarrytheone.

ARTIE

Stilldon’tlookright.

BILLY

It’sright.

Theothersaren’tsurewhatconfusesthemmore-the logic,ortheguywhoshouldn’tbeinthisroom.

GRADY

Billy?

BILLY

Yes.

GRADY

Who’sthat?

BILLY

That’sPeter.

Andthat’sallhe’sgoingtotellthemaboutPeter.

GRADY

I don’tknowhowtosaythisdelicately- butdoes- Peter—-needtobehere?

BILLY

Yes.

POLONT

What’swiththisonbasepercentage obsession?IsthatBillJamesbullshit?

BILLY

YoucancallitBillyBeanebullshitfor allI care.

BillytakesaMarks-A-Lot,jotsdownthreenameson strips,andapproachestheboard.

BILLY

So here’swhowewant.One.

Heputsthefirststripup.Itreads:JEREMYGIAMBI.

BILLY

Jason’slittlebrotherJeremy.

BARRY

He nevercomeshomefromthegames.

POLONT

Billy,ifImay,he’shadhisproblemson thefield--nottomentionhisproblems offthefield--nottomentionhe’s gettingalittlethickaroundthemiddle -- there’sthestuffwiththeweed.He’s at stripjoints...

GRADY

Thisguycouldstarttheyearwithan agentandendupwithaparoleofficer forChrist’ssake.

BILLY

Hison-basepercentageisallwe’re lookingatnowandhegetsonbasean awfullotforsomeonewhoonlycosts $285,000ayear.

GEORGE

Hecan’tcatchaballintheoutfield. I’veseenhimloseaballinthe moonlight.

Billyputsupanothername:DAVIDJUSTICE.

BILLY

DavidJustice.

GRADY

Tenyearsagohewasabigname.He’s goingtoreallyhelpourseasontickets

Junehe’snotgoingtobehittinghis weight.

PITTARO

He’s36!

ARTIE

Hislegsaregone.He’sadefensive

speedisstillthere.

BARRY

Steinbrennerissopissedathisdecline he’swillingtoeatuphalfhiscontract togetridofhim.

BILLY

That’sgood.

HOPKINS

He’safossil.Withallduerespect, bringingthesethreeguysaboardislike puttingbubblegumonaflattire.

GRADY

Andwhydowewanttobe theonestobail Justiceoutofhiscontract?

BillypointsatPETER--

PETER

Hegetsonbase.

GRADY

Igot37 freeagentswhoarebetterthan thoseguys.

BILLY

ScottHatteberg.

POTE

Who?

BILLY

already.Yes,he’sgotalittledamage in hiselbow.

GRADY

Somedamage?Hecan’tthrow.

BILLY

We’renotinterestedinhimforhisarm anymorethanwewantedGiambiforhis.

GRADY

Wait,you’retalkin’aboutHattebergat first?

BILLY

Yes.

HOPKINS

He’sa career.260hitterandthegood partofhiscareerisover.

BILLY

I sayit’sjuststarting.

PITTARO

Well,Billy,you’1lllikethesoundof this...IhearBostonwantstocuthim andno onewantstopickhimup.

BILLY

That’sgoodnewsforus.He’scheap.

GRADY

Letme understandthis.Atfirstbase youwanta guywho’sbeencutfromhalf of theminorleagueteamsinthecountry dueto irreparablenervedamage?

BILLY

He can’thitandhecan’tfield,butwhat canhe do?

(beat)

LookatthepieceofpaperorI’mgoing to pointatPeter.

TheSCOUTSconsulttheirspreadsheetsandthenanswer half-heartedly--

SCOUTS

(half-heartedly) Hecanget--

BILLY

Hecangetonbase.

POLONTI

Alright,sohewalksalot.

BILLY

Hegetsonbasealot,Rocco.DoI care ifit’sawalkora hit?

PETER

Youdonot.

POLONI

Thesethreeplayers,byyourown admission,aredefectiveinonewayor another.

BILLY

Yeah.

GRADY

YouwanttoreplaceJasonGiambiwithnot onebutthreedefectiveplayers?

BILLY

Yougotit.

GRADY

Billy,we'veallbeenbustingourasses thelastsixandahalfweekstomake thisabetterball--

BILLY

(cuttinghimoff) Grady,it’snotadiscussion.

POTE

Ithinkwe’realllosingsightofthe factthatyou’rethegeneralmanager. Youonlyhavetoanswertoownershipand God.

BILLY

Ididn’tknowGodfollowedbaseball.

POTE

Ihopehedoes.

SomeofthescoutslookoverinPeter’sdirection,no doubtwonderingifhe’shadsomethingtodowiththeir generalmanager’sideas.

WASHINGTON

Billy,Ijustdon’tseeit.

BILLY

That’sokay,Wash.Wewon’tbevictimized by whatweseeanymore.

WASHINGTON

I understandwhatyou’resayingabout theiraverages,butthere’ssomething you’reforgetting.Noneofthemplays firstbase.

BILLY

I haven’tforgottenthat,Wash.Oneof themisgoingtohavetolearn.

WASHINGTON

Learn.

BILLY

You’regoingtohavetoteachhim.

WASHINGTON

Teach.

BILLY

Instruct.

WASHINGTON

Whichone?

EXT/INT.TACOMAHOUSE-NIGHT

AChristmastree.Fourstockingshangfromthemantle. Thephonerings.SCOTTHATTEBERGgetsup.Helooksatit. Looksathiswife.Picksitup.

SCOTT

Hello?

BILLY(VO)

Scott?

SCOTT

Yes?

BILLY(VO)

It’sBillyBeane.OaklandA’s.

SCOTTwasexpectingthatitwouldbesomeoneelse...

SCOTT

Yes?

BILLY(VO)

Canwetalk?

SCOTT

Yes.

BILLY(VO)

Youwanttoinvitemein?

SCOTT

What?

BILLY(VO)

I’moutside.Icanseeyouinthewindow.

SCOTTgoestothewindowandcupshishandsagainstthe glasstoseeoutside.

ELIZABETH

Honey?

Twosilhouettesarestandingontheedgeofthefairway. Oneofthemwaves.

ELIZABETHisputtingoutsomecookiesshapedlikestars andbellsforthelate-nightguests:BILLYandRON WASHINGTON.

BILLY

Thankyou,ma’am.

WASHINGTON

Thankyou,ma’am.

Sheleavesherhusbandwiththetwomenbutlistensinon theirconversationfromthenextroom,nibblingona cookieofherown.

BILLY

You’veplayedcatcheryourwholelife?

SCOTT

SinceIwas8.

BILLYproducesabaseballfromhiswindbreakerandhands itto SCOTT.SCOTTcanonlymanagetogripthebaseball likeaclaw.Washingtonlookstoheaven.

BILLY

How’stheelbow?

SCOTT

Good.Realgood.It’sgreat.

(fuckit)

I can’tthrowatall.

BILLY

Yeah,don’tworryaboutit.You’vethrown yourlastbaseballfrombehindtheplate. I wantyouatfirst.

SCOTTissothrownbythisthatallhecandoisstareat BILLY.ThenatWASHINGTON,who’sshrugtellsSCOTT“This wasn’tmyidea.”

SCOTT

I’veonlyeverplayedcatcher.

BILLY

You’renotacatcheranymore.Ifyou were,thenminewouldn’thavebeenthe onlycallyougotwhenyourcontract expiredatmidnight.

SCOTT

I appreciateitbut--

BILLY

You’rewelcome.

SCOTT

Yousee--

BILLY

Youdon’tknowhowtoplayfirstbase.

SCOTT

That’sright.

BILLY

It’snotthathard.Tellhim,Wash.

WASHINGTON

It'sincrediblyhard!

BILLY

teachyou.

SCOTT

Waita minute,whatabout--

BILLY

Jason’sgone,Scott.

SCOTT

I’mtakingGiambi’sspotatfirst?What aboutthefans?

WASHINGTON

Yeah,maybeIcanteachoneofthem.

BILLY

Thefansdon’trun-- (toWASHINGTON) -—-goodone-- (backtoSCOTT) --thefansdon’trunmyballclub.

SCOTT

They’regonnahateme.

WASHINGTON

(motioningtoBILLY) No,they’regonnahatehim.

BILLY

Thefansloveme.

WASHINGTON

Okay.

HATTEBERG’sYOUNGDAUGHTERcomesdownthestaircasein herpajamas,havingjustwokenupinthemiddleofthe night.

BILLY

Hello.

HATTEBERG’SDAUGHTER

Hi.

SCOTT

That’souryoungestdaughter.

BILLY

Great.

SCOTT

Doyouhavekids?

BILLYdoesn’tliketosharepersonalliveswiththe playersbuthecoverswell--

BILLY

--yeah,Ihaveadaughter.

BILLYtakesacontractoutofhiswindbreakerandsetsit onthetablenexttothecookies.

BILLY

Thisisa contractforyoutoplay baseballwiththeOaklandA’s.Acopy’s on itswaytoyouragent.Discussitwith yourwifeandletusknow.

(Theygetupand Billycallsoff)

Thanksforthecookies,ma’am.

WeseeELIZABETHwithtearsrunningdownherface...then gobacktothelivingroom--

ELIZABETH(0.5.)

You’rewelcome.

MerryChristmas.

Thedoorofasuburbanhouseopens,revealingaWOMAN.

BILLY

Hi.

SHARON

Hi,Billy.

Shepullsthedooropensohecancomein.Ashedoes-

BILLY

Shehome?

SHARON

She’sout,butshe’1llbehomesoon.

AsBillyentershisex-wifeSharon’shouse,herhusband ALANwalksin,talkingonthephone.

Yeah,no,don’tworryaboutitsweetie. Here’smom.

AlanhandsSharonthephone.

BILLY

HeyAlan.

ALAN

Comeonin haveaseat.Wantsomecoconut water?It’sreallyrefreshing.

BILLY

I’mallset,thanks.

ALAN

Whatareyoubenchingnow?

BILLY

Idon’tkeepcount.

ALAN

Well,whateveritis,it’sworking.You lookgood.

TheysitonthecouchnexttoaChristmastree.

ALAN

Ihaven’tgottoseeyousincethe

heartbreaking,Billy.Wewererootingfor you.

BILLY

(beat) Yep.

ALAN

YouknowwhatIsay?

BILLY

Fuck‘em. (beat) I’msorryAlan,whatdoyousay?

ALAN

No,Ijustwantedtosaythatalotof teamsdon’tgetthatfar,andtomakeit thatfarisareallybigaccomplishment.

Sharongetsoffthephoneandjoinsthem.

BILLY

(toSharon) Sohowisshe?

SHARON

She’sgreat.Behereinaminute.How’s theteamshapingup?

BILLY

Newbeginnings.Bluehorizons.

ALAN

and-

(MORE)

Ghee-ambi?

SHARON

Giambi.Wow,that’stough.That’sreally tough.

BILLY

AndIsringhausen.

ALAN

Soundstough.

BILLY

So whereisshe?

ALAN

I justtalkedtoheronhercell.She’s justcomingupthehill,she’stwo minutesaway.

BILLY

Youboughtheracellphone?

SHARON

Yeah.

BILLY

At 12?

ALAN

Justforemergencies.I’msorry,we shouldhaveconsultedyouforthat decision-

BILLY

It’sprobablyagoodidea.

SHARON

ButactuallyIcalledyou-

Thefrontdooropens.It’sBilly’sdaughterCasey-apre- teenindie-rockgirl-andnotamomenttoosoon.He’s upquicklytogiveherahugandtogetoutofhere.

BILLY

Let’sgoshopping.

BillyandCaseyperuseguitars.

BILLY

Youwantonewithnylonstrings,right?

CASEY

Iliketheredones.

BILLY

Howaboutthis?

CASEY

Yeah,that’scool.

BILLY

Let’stryitoutoverhere.

toughsprayofnotes.

BILLY

(genuinelyimpressed) Casey.

CASEY

Yeah.

BILLY

Yougotgood.

CASEY

I’vejustbeenplayingalot.

BILLY

That’s...that’snotthewaymost12year oldsplay.

CASEY

AlanthinksIshouldhaveabetter teacher.

BILLY

Who’sAlan?

CASEYlooksathim--

BILLY

Oh,yeah.Mom’sAlan.What’swrongwith theteacheryouhavenow?

CASEY

AlanthinksIshouldbeworkingmoreon techniquesoIdon’tlearnbadhabits.

BILLY

Well,youseemtobedoingjustfineto me. Doyoulikeplaying?

CASEY

Iloveit.

BILLY

That’ssogreat.I’msohappyforyou. Themostimportantthinginlifeisto findsomethingyouloveanddoitwell. Do youlikeyourteacher?

CASEY

Yeah.

BILLY

Okay,I’1lltalktoMomandAlan.Doyou likethatguitar?

CASEY

Yes!

BILLY

Thattheone?

CASEY

Yeah,Ithinkso.

BILLY

Let’sgetit. Let’sgetitnow.

CASEY

Really?

BILLY

MerryChristmas.

LEGEND: 1984

BILLY’sattheplate,abattinghelmetsnugaroundhis head,wearingaMETSuniform,asa97mphfastballbuzzes byhimandtheUMPIREcalls--

UMPIRE

Striiike!

BILLYstepsoutofthebox,tapsthedirtoffhiscleats andstepsbackin.

Ayounger-lookingSHARONissittinginfieldlevelseats, lookingonnervouslyandtryingnottoshowit.

BILLYhalf-swingsatthebreakingball,holdinghisswing atthelastminute.

TheCATCHERandPLATEUMPIREbothpointdowntofirst baseforthecallandtheFIRSTBASEUMPIREmakesafist inthe air,indicatingthatBillyswung.

UMPIRE

Striiike!

AndBilly’sout.

SHARONholdsherheadinherhandsandBILLYwalksback tothedugout,passingaplayerwith“STRAWBERRY”onhis back.

Andnowthequickscenesoffailurebecomestaccato--

OMITTED

LEGEND: 1985

BILLYplayingforminorleagueTidewaterandhegrounds outand

LEGEND: 1986

up lamelytothePITCHER,throwinghisbatdownin frustrationashejogshopelesslytofirstandwe

ANNOUNCERV/O

..-BillyBeane,who’squickly establishinganewrecordforbreaking bats,batracksandwatercoolers,was actuallyamuch-toutedfirstroundpick oftheNewYorkMetsin1980butthe majorshavenotbeenkindtohimwith only18plateappearancesintwoyears andthiswon’tdoinganythingtohelphim as...

LEGEND: 1986

BILLYplayingfortheMinnesotaTwinswherehecomesback intothedugoutandthrowshisbattinghelmetdownand

LEGEND: 1987

BILLYplayingforminorleaguePortlandandawater coolergoesflyingacrossthedugoutand

LEGEND: 1987

ANNOUNCERV/O

-..oneoftwofirstroundpicksin1980 alongwithDarylStrawberry,Beanewas broughtuplastyearandsentbackdown after8at-batssohere’sasecondchance as Smithdelivers...

apitchandstrikesoutandwe

LEGEND: 1988

BILLYplayingfortheDetroitTigersandthebatrack getsheavedacrossthefieldand

LEGEND: 1989

ANNOUNCERV/O

goodmemoryyoumightrememberthatBilly Beanewastakeninthefirstroundofthe amateurdraftbackin1980,separated fromAll-StaroutfielderDarylStrawberry by only14picks,soitjustgoesto show...

BILLYinanA’suniform.Hestandsandwatchesacalled thirdstrikesailpasthim.

UMPIRE

Strike!

Billybreaksthebatoverhisthighanddropsthepieces ontheplate.Hebeginstowalkoff.

UMPIRE

HeyBilly,cleanupafteryourself.

Billyhearshimbutcontinuestowalkoff.

TOBE WRITTEN:THEUMPTOSSESBILLYFROMTHEGAME.

BILLYlooksupatSHARONintheseatsbehindthedugout butthetwocan’tquitemeeteachother’seyes.

Inthe subterraneanvideoroom-anevenlesselegant placethantherestofthestadium-someonehasputupa scragglyChristmastree.There,Peterwatchesatapeof a minorleaguerontheLowellSpinners,aSingle-ABoston affiliate.Billycomesin.

PETER

How'ditgo?

BILLY

How’dwhatgo?

PETER

Hatteberg.

BILLY

Hecanbarelyholdabaseball.Buthe’s ourguynow.

Billysits.

BILLY

Who'sthat?

PETER

wewantmorethananyoneelseinthe world.

Billywatchestheguyonthescreen.He’sanoverweight right-handedbatterwithapeculiarstance.

PETER

Hecan’trun,throworfield.Buthe walksmorethananyoneinbaseballexcept

andit’smorethanBonds.He’stheGreek GodofWalks.

OntheTV,thebattertakesanotherpitchjustoffthe edgeofthestrikezone.

PETER

I triedtogetShapirotodrafthimlast June. Hesaidhewaddledlikeaduck. Bostontookhim.Bostonwon’tlethimgo yet. They’regoingtowaitandsee.

Theywatchhimlayoffapitchaninchoutsidethestrike zone.PetergivesBillyalookthatsays,Youseethat?

PETER

Youallright,Billy?

GRADYO/S

Billy?

Gradyhasappearedbehindthematthedoor.

GRADY

Canwe talkaminute?

BILLY

Yeah.

(toPeter)

Yeah.

otherpersoninsightismanagerArtHowe,inhisoffice

andBillycantalkinconfidence.

GRADY

YourboyandI hadatalkwhileyouwere in Tacoma.Ididn’tlikemuchofwhatI heard.

BILLY

No?

GRADY

No.Yougota kidintherewithaYale economicsdegreeandascoutouthere with29yearsbaseballexperienceand you’relisteningtothewrongone.

BILLY

I don’tlistentoanyone,youknowthat.

GRADY

Thisisn’tajoke.

BILLY

I’mnotjoking.

GRADY

Thisisn’thowyourunaballclub,with acomputer.Youknowthat.You’rea

thatonlyascoutcanseeinaplayer thatyou’renotgoingtopickupwith justnumbers,withsomeonewhodoesn’t playthegame,whoknowsnothingabout thegamebuthowtofeednumbersintoa computer.

BILLY

That’swhatwe’redoing.That’sexactly whatwe’redoing.

GRADY

Ifthisiswhatbaseballis,ifit’snot KirkGibsongoinguptotheplateontwo badlegsbecausethemanagerfeltinhis heartthathehadoneswingleftinthat body...acomputerwouldn’tdothat. Theywouldhavehadhimsittingupinthe stands.

BILLY

Acomputerdoesn’tromanticizethesport. Leavethatforthefans.

GRADY

Well,romanceandthefans,it’scalleda loveaffairwiththegameandit’sbeen goingonforonehundredandfiftyyears.

BILLY

Idon’twanttohurtyouloveaffairwith thegame.Justbecausewe’vebeendoing itonewayfora hundredandfiftyyears doesn’tmeanwe’vebeendoingitright. Youhaveanyideahowlongpeoplethought thesunrevolvedaroundtheearth?To youreyesitlookslikethat’swhat’s happening.

GRADY

You’resayingeverybody’sbeenwrong? Everybody?

Beat.

GRADY

Areyousayingeverybody’sbeenwrong?

BILLY

Yes.Maybe. (beat)

(MORE)

BILLY(CONT'D)

Yes,andI’vethoughtsomywholelife. Andnowwe’regonnaseeifI’m--

GRADY

--we’regonnaseeifyou’reright?!This is aboutyouandyourshit?Somescouts from20yearsagocalleditwrong,okay? Theythoughtyouwereaballplayerand youweren’t.Asyouknow,ithappens. Don’ttakeitouton--

BILLY

I'mnot--takingitouton--

GRADY

I’mtryingtohelp,okay,I’msaying--

BILLY

No,you’renotsayinganythingtome rightnow.

(beat)

Grady,youdon’thavespecialpowers.You don’thavetheabilitytolookataguy and“justknow”becauseyou’reascout withspecialpowers.I’vewatchedyousit at kitchentablesforyearsandtellthe parentsofa17yearoldkid,“Trustme, whenI know,Iknow,andwhenitcomesto yourson,Iknow”andyoudon’t.We’re shoppinginanewstore--fullof complicatedstatisticalanalysisand equationsandIgetthatitturnsyour worldupsidedownbutonbasepercentage-- ourbestchancetoscoreonourbudget isn’tgettinga6’4”Adonistotheplate, it’sgettinga5’10”washoutwho's alreadyatfirstbase.

MayI speak?

BILLY

Yes.

GRADY

MajorLeagueBaseballanditsfanswill be happytohandyouandGoogleBoyyour headsifyoukeepdoingwhatyou’redoing here,Idon’tgiveashitabout friendshipthissituationorthepast. MajorLeagueBaseballthinksthewayI think.You’renotgonnawin.AndI’1l giveyoua nickel’sworthoffreeadvice.

(MORE)

GRADY(CONT'D)

You’remakingitimpossibleforyourself togetanotherjobonceSchottfiresyou afterthiscatastrophicseasonyou’re settingusallupforandyou’regonna havetoexplaintoyourwifeandyourkid whyyou’reworkingatDick’sSporting Goods.

BILLY

I’mnotgonnafireyou,Grady.

GRADY

Gofuckyourself,Billy.

BILLY

Wellnowmaybe.

GRADYtakesoff.

BILLYstandsthereamoment.Onhiswayout,passing Art’swindowedoffice,heexchangesalookwiththe

youngestone-

BILLY

ball,right?

Theyoungscoutshakeshishead,embarrassed.

BILLY

Grady’sgone.You’rethenewHeadScout.

Billyturnsawayandisheadedbacktothevideoroom. Pokeshisheadin.

BILLY

Don’ttrytoexplainthingstoscouts. They’renotprogrammedtogetit.It’s justus.

He leaves.Peterwatchesthedoorclose,thenglances backtothetapeasYoukilistakesballfourandwaddles downtofirstbase.

Team/JumboTronphotosaretakenofournewA’s.It’s clearfromthephotoBillydidn’thirethemtosell jeans.

LEGEND: March2,2002-SPRINGTRAINING

BillygivesaninterviewtoaSPORTSREPORTER.

SPORTSREPORTER

Billy,willthefansstillcomeoutnow thatyou’velostGiambi?

BILLY

I don’tknow,Graham.Willtheylistento yourinsipidradioshow?

MIKEMAGNANTEgoesthroughtheeffortofputtingonhis knee-braces.ScottHatteberg,lacingup,watcheshim.

Variousstationshavebeensetupatwhichinfieldersgo throughtheirwarm-ups-windsprints,armloosening.

InfieldersfieldgroundershitbyArtHowefromafungo.

Billypacesinthefoulterritoryoffthefirstbase line.HISPOV:JEREMYGIAMBImissingaflyball,DAVID JUSTICElookingtired,HATTEBERGmissingthescoop.

ArthitsanothergrounderwhichHattebergbotchesagain. ArtlooksatBillyagoodlongbeat,thenhitstoanother infielder.

PeterwalksuptoBilly,justas-

ApokeoffthebatsendsJeremyGiambiscramblingback

landsbehindhim.

BILLY

Well,wedidn’tpayhimforhisdefense.

ArtandWashingtonhitgrounderstoCarlosPenaandScott Hatteberg.Hattebergmiraculouslygetshismittonit.

BILLY

That’stheway,Hatte.Pickin’Machine.

Behindaportablebackstop,aguywitharadargungets

getsupandbeginsthrowing,increasinghisvelocityeach time.

BILLY

Noneofthosebroke85.

Theywatchthesecondpitcher-thegentle-facedkidfrom thelockerroom-ChadBradford-stepup.

BILLY

ChadIhavehighhopesfor.

Bradfordoverthrowshisfirstsubmarinehand-scraping- the-groundpitch,andtheballsailswideofthecatcher. Somebodyducks.ArtHoweglanceswithalong-suffering looktoBilly.

BILLY

Itjustgotawayfromhim.

TheywatchDavidJusticedowindsprints.

BILLY

He’sstillgotit.

ThenJusticestops,winded.

Astheplayersshowerandchangeintostreetclothes, Art,BillyandWashingtondiscussHatteberg,whoknows they’rediscussinghim.

BILLY

It’sthefirstdayofweekone.There’s nothingtojudgeyet.

ART

Icanjudgeitandsocanyou. First baseisthemoontohim.

BILLY

Itwasn’ttoGiambi?He’stheworst

thinkofhim,Wash?

WASHINGTON

ThenicestwayIcanputitis,helacks confidence.

BILLY

WorkwithhimWash.

WASHINGTON

I’1ldothat,Billy,butwe’vegotPena whocanplayfirst.Andhe’slooking prettygoodoutthere.

BILLY

IwanttomakeitworkwithHatte,Wash.

AsWashingtoncrossesthelockerroomtolietoScott abouthowmuchprogresshe’smaking,hepassesMagnante takingoffhiskneebraces,andChadBradfordsittingat hislockerwithaBibleinhislap.

ART

Notto mentionwealreadyhaveafirst baseman.

BILLY

A rookiefirstbaseman.It’snotthe same.

ART

Number11ontheTop100Prospectslist.

BILLY

Listsaren’tbaseball.

ART

Catchersatfirstbasearen’tbaseball. Who’sideawasthis?Peter’s?

BILLY

Hattebergwillbefine,Art.

ART

He willbefine,you’reright.Pinch hittingwhilePenaplaysfirstbase.

AtoweringportraitofDavidJusticehasbeenpainted whereJasonGiambi’susedtobe.

Thehardestdiehardfansfileunderitandthroughthe turnstiles.Youknowwhattheylooklike,drippingA’s merchandise,radiosandSharpies,arrivingsoearlythe B.P.cageisstillbeingdraggedintoplace.

ASERIESOFSHOTS

Indicatethearrivalofopeningday.INCLUDING:foul linesarepainted,broadcasttrucksplugin,thenetwork controlroomfiresup,ANNOUNCERSdotheirprep,Steve Schottlandsinhishelicopter.

LEGEND: April1,2002-OPENINGDAY

INTHELOCKERROOM:Playersprepare.Magnanteputson hiskneebraces.

MAGNANTE

Yeah...beendoingitforwaytoolong.

HATTEBERG

Howlongdoesittake?

MAGNANTE

WhenIfirststartedthesethings?It

knockthesesuckersoutin30seconds,no problem.

JeremyGiambi’sboomboxisonagainasheandhis24 teammatessuitup.

36-year-oldDavidJusticewanderspasttoasodamachine. Pressesabutton,butnothingcomesout.Triesagain.

TEJADA

Isa dollar,mang.

JUSTICE

What?

TEJADA

Alwaysbeenlikethathere.

JUSTICE

You’rekiddingme,right?

TEJADA

WelcometoOakland.

BRADFORD’slocker...

CHAD

Excuseme,Mr.Beane.

BILLY

HeyChad.

CHAD

IhopeI’mnotdisturbingyou.

BILLY

You’renot,what’sup?

CHAD

Iwantedtosaythanksforthe opportunity.

BILLY

It’sgonnaworkoutwellforbothofus.

CHAD

Nobodyinthemajorleagueevertookme seriously.

Nobody?

CHAD

Justyou,sir.

BILLY

Okay.

(beat)

It’sa bigday,youwon’tforgetit.

CHAD

I’mgoingtoprayforyouandyour family.

PETERfollowsBILLYoutofthelockerroom.

OMITTED

SHOTSOFTHEGAMEANNOUNCERS.KENKORACH,GREGPAPAand GLENKUIPERwelcomethefanstoopeningday,discussthe A’slineupandtheproblemstheyfacethisseason.

MONTAGE:

It’sfifteenminutesbeforethegameassomeexecutives havetheirpicturetakenonthefieldwithBILLY.

BILLY

Hey,greattoseeyou.Thanksforcoming out. Gotagoodbox? Youwanta picture?Sure,letmestepinthere. Great,bigsmilesnow.Bigsmiles.Know whatI likeaboutopeningday? Everyone’seven.Thankyou.Youall enjoythegame.

BILLYgetshispicturetakenwithKIDSfromanarea LittleLeagueteam.He’slaughingandbeingagoodhost.

BILLY

Hey,howyouguysdoing.Soyouwon? That’sgreat.Whatpositionareyou? How’syourfastball?92?Alright, shouldwegetapic?

BillyandtheLittleLeagueteamposewithagiant donationcheck.Theannouncerthendirectseveryone’s

receiveshisGoldenGloveawardandsmilesforthe fans...

BILLYgreetingsomeVIP’sintheirfield-levelseats. Throughoutthiswe’llhearbitsoftalkradio.

HOST#1(FROMRADIO)

WiththedepartureofheadscoutGrady FusonandarosterthatI’lldescribeas unusual,ifnoteccentric,youhaveto wonderwhatBillyBeaneisthinking.

BILLYcatchesaglanceofELIZABETHHATTEBERGtakingher seatnearby.

Inthe familyarea,ElizabethintroducesherselftoTara.

ELIZABETH

Hi,I’mElizabeth.

TARA

Hi.Tara.Whichisyours?

ELIZABETH

ScottHatteberg.Catcher-actuallyfirst base-actuallywedon’tknow.Yours?

TARA

GM.

ELIZABETH

(excitedly) Mr.Beane?

Taranods.

ELIZABETH

He’sasaint.

TARA

Really?

ArtistalkingtoaJOURNALIST.

JOURNALIST

Aretheypickingupyouroptionfornext year?

Abeat.

ART

I broughtituptothemduringtheoff- season,andIstilldonothavemy option.

JOURNALIST

Areyoufrustrated?

ART

I thinkit’sfairtosaythat.

OMITTED

OMITTED(INCORPORATEDINTO54)

ArtHowestandsmid-fieldasthestartinglineupis announced.Onebyone,playersjoinhimonthefield.

Thehonorguardpresentstheflagaseveryonestandsfor theNationalAnthem.Afterward,theplayersscatterto warmupforthegame.

TheCROWDCHEERSastheA’stakethefield.Billyand Peterareattheedgeofthetunnel,watching.

BILLY

Okay,good.

(beat)

I’mheadingin.

PETER

Why?

BILLY

I don’twatchthegames.

PETER

Is thisajoke?

BILLYshakeshishead“no”.PETERgestures“Whatthefuck areyoutalkingabout?”

BILLY

I don’tknowwhatyou’remiming.

PETER

I’mmiming“Youdon’twatchthegames?!”

BILLY

Thisismyteam.Andthey’vetakenthe field.They’reworldclassathleteswho arefightingfortheirlivesandIstand

youtotextmewhatArtdoes.

BILLYwalksoutonto--

BILLY’swatchingthegameonTV(ARCHIVALVIDEO)withthe soundoffbutwecanhearthelivecrowdinthestadium. CRACK--aTEXASRANGERhitsathree-runhomerandBILLY walksoutoftheroomand

AnOAKLANDAhitsaneasypop-uptocenterfieldand

WhereBILLY’sonastationarybike.Hisblackberrybuzzes andhetakesa look--

“Flyouttocntr”

WhereBILLY’sbenchpressingandCRACK--

WhereanOAKLANDAhasjusthitagroundballtothe SHORTSTOP,whotossesiteasilytosecondforthefirst out,andtheSECONDBASEMANthrowsitovertofirstfor--

WhereBILLYlooksattheblackberrywhichnowsays--

“643dblplay”

Theblackberrygoescrashingintothewallandblows apart.

WefindBillyandArtinconversation.

BILLY

partoftheconversation,Ishouldhave hadyouin thescoutmeetingsfromthe firstday,thatwayyouwouldhave understoodthisbetterandthatwas anothermistake,Itakefull responsibility.

ART

Whatareyoutryingtosay?

BILLY

It doesn’tmatterwhatmovesImakeif youdon’tplaytheteamthewayIneed themplayed.

ART

Billy-

(longbeat)

Youareoutof yourdepth.

BILLY

Whywasn’tHattebergatfirst?

ART

Becausehecan’tplayfirst.

BILLY

Howdo youknow?

ART

Notmy firstbaseballgame.

BILLY

Art--

ART

ScottHattebergcan’thit.

BILLY

He getson--

ART

Andhisdefense--

BILLY

Stillkeepsusinthepluscolumnandwe onlyneedtobe7over500.

ART

Anythingelse?

BILLY

Yeah,IwouldhaveratherseenChad Bradfordinthereattheendthan Magnante.

ART

Bradford’s--

BILLY

Idon’tcareaboutrighty/lefty.

ART

Ido.

BILLY

Thisisaboutyourcontract?

ART

No,you'vemadeitclearwhatyouthink

jobandmedoingmine.Mine’sbeingleft alonetomanagethebeerleagueteamyou assembledforme.

BILLY

Ididn’tassemblethemforyou,I assembledthemforme.

ART

Noshit.

BILLY

Iwantyoutogo ontheroadwiththe team.

PETER

Youdon’tgoontheroadwiththeteam.

BILLY

That’swhyIwantyoutodoit.

PETER

Whydon’tyou?

BILLY

I don’twanttodeveloppersonal relationships.Ineedtotradethem,send

shouldlearnhowtodothatbytheway.

PETER

TheonlywayI’dhavetocuta playeris if youohcomeon!

BILLY

Yeah,let’spractice.

PETER

No.

BILLY

I’ma player,cutmefromtheroster.

PETER

No.

BILLY

Do it.

PETER

Thisisstupid.

BILLY

Man-up,Yale.

PETER

Fine.Billy,wouldyouhaveaseatfora moment,Ineedtotalktoyou.

BILLY

I’malreadysitting.

PETER

I waspretendingyouweren’tsitting.

BILLY

ButI am.Keepgoing.

PETER

Thisisthehardestthingthereistodo in baseball.

BILLY

YougotthatfromBullDurham?

PETER

Yeah.

BILLY

Hittingacurveballisthehardestthing thereistodoinbaseballbutgoahead.

PETER

You’vebeenahugepartofthisteambut decisionshavetobemadethatarebest fortheteam,I’msureyoucanunderstand that.

BILLY

You’‘recuttingme?

PETER

I’mreallysorry.

BILLY

Ijustboughtahousehere.

PETER

(beat) Well...

BILLY

Well?That’sallyouhavetosay?Mykids juststartedatanewschool,theymade friends.

PETER

That’s--I’dleavetheminschool,you don’twanttotakethemoutinthemiddle ofthe--

BILLY

Whatthehellareyoudoing?

PETER

Areyouyouortheplayer?

BILLY

I’mme.You’retalkingaboutkidsand schoolsandyoushould’vebeenoutofthe roomthreeminutesago.

PETER

Shouldn’tItellthemthatthey’1llalways bea partoftheA’sfamily?

BILLY

ThatmakesmefeelsogoodI’mthinking ofburningyourhousedownwithyouin

players.Youjustdoit.“Peter,Ineed toletyougo.Jack’soffice’1llhandle thepaperwork.”

PETER

That’sit?

BILLY

Wouldyourathergetonebulletinthe headorfiveinthechestandbleedto death?

PETER

Thosearemyonlychoices?

BILLY

Go ontheroadwiththeteam.

JeremyGiambidiscreetlymixesahighballfromacacheof hotelminibarliquorbottlesashewatcheshisfavorite movieonaportableDVDplayer,TheNatural.

DAVIDJUSTICEissittingnexttoPETER,whoscrollsdown statsonhislaptop.

DAVID

Howcomeyourbossdoesn’ttravelwith theteam?

PETER

He doesn’tliketominglewiththe players.

DAVID

Makesuseasiertocut?

PETERdoesn’tsayanything...

DAVID

He’sgonnamakesomemovesifwekeep losing.

PETERgivesasmall“Yeah”shrug...

DAVID

Howcomesodacostsadollarinthe clubhouse?

PETER

Billylikestokeepthemoneyonthe field.

DAVID

Sodamoney?

PETERdoesn’tsayanything...

DAVID

WhereonthefieldisthedollarIpay forsoda?

PETER

(beat) It’shardtosee.

DAVID

(shakinghishead) Alright.

BillywatchestheT.V.

ONTV -PENAtakinghisplaceatfirst.

TVANNOUNCERV/O

TheA’sbegintheirfirstroadtripof theseasonhavingdropped7oftheir first11gamesathomeandtheirschedule doesn’tgetanyeasierfromhere.If there’sabrightspotit’srookiefirst basemanCarlosPena.

BillyturnsofftheT.V.,getsbeeperupdatesasheworks out.

Billydrives.

VOICESV/O

WiththeA’sgettingofftoamiserable start/13oftheirlast20/17oftheir last25/etc...

BILLY’swaitingforsomeone.HE’SWATCHINGTHEA’SGAME BYTHEGATE. APASSENGER,alsowatchingthegame, recognizesBilly.

PASSENGER

Hey,aren’tyouBillyBeane?

BILLY

Yeah.

PASSENGER

Shouldn’tyoubeatthegame?

BILLY

Nope.

CASEYemergesfromthegate,seesherfatherbeforehe seesherandrunstohim.Theyhug.

CASEY

Hey,Dad.

BILLY

Hey,honey...I’mgladtoseeyou.

BILLYandPETERarethrowingaballthroughtheiroffice doorsoneithersideofthehallway--

PETER

It’snota bigenoughsampleyet.Iwant to waituntilweplaymoregames.

BILLYwatchesthegamefromtheofficeT.V.Hesees--

DAVIDJUSTICEgroundsintoadoubleplaytoendthegame.

TVANNOUNCER

AndJusticehitsintothe6-4-3double playtoendthegame...

TheINDIANStrotonthefieldtohigh-fiveeachother.

OMITTED

CaseysitsatthetableasBillyscoopsicecream.

BILLY

Do youwantstrawberryorvanilla?

CASEY

Both.

BILLY

Don’ttellyourmother.

(then)

If youcouldonlyhaveoneicecreamfor therestofyourlife,whichwouldyou choose?

CASEY

Vanilla.Definitelyvanilla.

BILLY

Interesting.Chocolatesauce?

CASEY

Yup.

A beat.Then--

CASEY

Dad...ifyoucouldchoosebetweenthe powerofinvisibilityorflight,which wouldyouchoose?

BILLY

Flight.Yeah,I’dwannafly.You?

CASEY

IthinkI’dwantinvisibility.

BILLY

Really?Why?

CASEY

Idon’tknow.Peoplewouldn’tnoticeme asmuch.

BILLY

Whywouldn’tyouwantpeopletonotice you?

CASEY

Idon’tknow.

BILLY

Well,Iguessyoucouldsneakupon

conversations.Youcouldbeaspy. (then) Sohow’sschool?

CASEY

Myteacher’skindamean.Shedoesn’t likeustoaskquestions.

BILLY

Whatkindofteacherdoesn’tletyouask questions?

CASEY

Iknow,right?Momwasmad,too.She thinksmaybeIshouldbehomeschooled.

BILLY

Wouldn’tyoumissyourfriends?

CASEY

Yeah. Buttheotherkidsaremean.

BILLY

Therearealwaysgoingtobebullies. Trynotto letthemgettoyou.Butlet me knowifit’sbecomingaproblem.

CASEY

CanI askyouaquestion?Areyoustill chewingtobacco?

BILLY

Yeah...

CASEY

Pleasestop.

BILLY

I know,it’sterrible.Look,Ipromise I’1lquitinNovemberifyoupromisenot to worryaboutit.

CASEY

Pinkieswear?

BILLY

Pinkieswear.

PETER

Theoretically,whenwe’veplayedmore gamesthenumberswillbecomemore representativeof--

BILLY

Theoretically?

ThescoreboardshowstheA’sdownby1inthe6th.

AsArttrudgestowardthemoundtopullhisstarter,he toucheshisleftarm.Magnanteemergesfromthepen- andPeter,upinaVIPbox,flipsopenhisphone.

BILLYissayinggoodbyetoCASEY.

BILLY

Alright.Begood.

CASEY

Okay.

Billy’sBlackberrychimes.Heignoresit.

BILLY

(pause) Ifeellike--

CASEY

(pause) Youfeellikewhat?

BILLY

(beat) Idon’tknow,didwetalkenoughthis time?

CASEY

Aboutwhat?

BILLY

youwanttotalkabout,didwehavefun?

CASEY

(pause) Yeah!?

BILLY

Okay.

CASEY

Iloveyou,Dad.

BILLY

You’redoingitrightnow.

CASEY

What?

BILLY

You'reworryingaboutme.

CASEY

sorry.

BILLY

DoI looklikeI’mworried?

CASEY

Yeah.

BILLY

‘Causeyou’regettingonanairplaneand

youpleasestopworryingaboutyour father?You’reakid,Ican’thaveit.

CASEY

Okay. CanIworryabouttheairplanenow though?

BILLY

Absolutely.

AFLIGHTATTENDANTapproaches--

FLIGHTATTENDANT

We’reallset.

BILLY

Great.

There’saslightlyawkwardmomentandCASEYisn’tsure whethershe’ssupposedtohugherfatheragainandso theydoasortofhalf-hug.

BILLY

I loveyou.

BILLYwatcheshergooffwiththeattendant,feelinglike itwasanunsatisfyingvisit.

Helooksathisblackberry--

3-2.Magnantein.

No!WHYIS HEINTHERE?!

EVERYONEintheareastopstolookatthemadman.

No no.I’malright.

Billyrunsthewarningtrackwithasmallradiothathe turnsonlongenoughtofollowwhat’shappening,and switchesitoffagain.

Overthefollowing,wehearacacophonyofradioandTV VOICEStumblingintoeachother--

THESTANDINGSONPETER’SCOMPUTER:

TheA’shavefallento19-25.

MAGNATEgivingupasave-blowinghitwhileBRADFORDsits inthebullpen...

AnOaklandAhitsintoadouble-play,strikeout,caught stealing,pickedofffirst,alop-sidedscoreboard,half- emptystands--

Theparkinglotisavast,emptyblackseawithjusttwo pin-pointsofmovinglight.Headlights.

Billydrivesaroundthelotlikeadownhillskierwith nothinginhisway--hisdaughter’smix-tapeplaying.

Jeremylinesasingletoright,butissoslowhe’s

benchcoach,KenMacha.

ANNOUNCER

ArtHoweistheonlymanagerinbaseball whohastothinkaboutpinchrunninghis leadoffhitter.

DownintheVisitors’pen,ChadsitswithMikeMagnante.

MAGNANTE

Whydoyoudoit?

CHAD

Ican’tnotdoit.

MAGNANTE

Howdoyoudoit? Everyballpark’s different.

CHAD

Itakethatintoaccountandadjustthe distanceofmysteps.

MAGNANTE

Exactlyseventy-four,fromthepentothe mound.

(MORE)

Youshouldgetthatlookedat,man.

TheTEAMinthedugout,hangingtheirheadsduringa blowoutand

Petererasesthepercentageofgameslefttheyneedto winandwritesinahighernumberand

He’slisteningtotheradio.

REPORTERV/O

-- afterSunday’s11-0rout.Now,having dropped13of16,theA’sareagameaway frombeingsweptathomebytheALEast lastplaceBaltimoreOrioles.

AERIALSHOT

aswefollowBilly’struckfromOaklandovertheBay BridgeintoSanFrancisco.

BILLY

steve.

SCHOTT

Billy.

BILLY

YourememberPeter.

SCHOTT

Peter.Guys,givemesomeideaofwhat’s goingonoutthere.

BILLY

Listen,it’sateamofprobabilities,and we’regonnaneed162gamestotellthat taleinanascentform.It’sphaseone, we’reevolvingandwefeelconfident wherewe'reheading.

SCHOTT

Billy-

BILLY

We’renotscared.

SCHOTT

3outof 17games.3.We’regetting

thinkthisisgonnaturnaround?

BILLY

BecauseIbelieveinwhatwe’redoing.I

doesn’taccuratelyreflecttheteamand wherewe’regoingtobeattheendofthe

thatweneedtosticktothegameplan, andyoucantellyourpartnerstostart bookingtheirticketstotheplayoffs.

SCHOTT

Billy,look,you’vegotguyswhoare nearlycrippled,whocouldn’tgethired asanusherina ballparknowplayingon

totheseguyswithandfeellikeIhave theconfidencethatyou’regonnaturn thesethingsaround.

BILLY

Withallduerespectyouaskedmeto buildateamwithshoelacesandgum wrappersandwe’vedoneit.

SCHOTT

Youhaven’tdoneityetbilly.

BILLY

Anditwillpayoff.Stickwithus. Suffertheblows.Listen,lifewithno moneymeanswe’regonnahavetosuffera fewembarrassmentsalongtheway,butwe areokayintheend.

SCHOTT

Billy,there’salotofmoneyatstake here.

(MORE)

SCHOTT(CONT'D)

Anda lotofpeoplewithvestedinterest in seeingthisbesuccessful.I’vegiven youa lotofflexibility.Whenarewe gonnastarttoseeachangeinthese results?

Schottsitsbackathisdesk.

SCHOTT

Givemea date,givemeatimeframe.

WheredoweexpecttobemidJulyAll Starbreak?

PETER

OurgoalandourexpectationbytheAll Starbreakistobewithinsevengamesof firstplace.

BILLY

That’1llkeepusinthehunt.

PETER

Andthatwouldbethisworking exceptionallywell.

SCHOTT

7 within500.ByJuly.Andwhat’sgoing to keepusfromgettingthere?

BILLY

NothingSteve.

SCHOTT

Nothing.We’re3for17rightnow.You’ve gotto beabletogivemealittlebit moretogo backtomypartnerswith.

BILLY

Listen,youhiredmetodothisjoband that’swherewe’regoingtobe.

SCHOTT

That’snotgoodenough.

BILLY

Well,let’sgobuyBarryBonds,then. Thisistheteamwe’vegotandthisis theteamwe’llwinwith.

SCHOTT

Billy,putyourselfinmyshoes.Whatdo youimagineisgoingtohappenifthings don’tturnaround?

BILLY

It’sveryclear,Steve.IfIputmyself inyourshoes,I’dspendanother20 millionontheteam.

SCHOTT

Wedon’thaveanother20million

BILLY

I’mjustkidding,Steve,I’mjust kidding.We’vegottheteam.

SCHOTT

Igottabehonestwithyou,Billy,Iwish youhadalittlemoreworryandalittle morefear.Becausethingsaren’tgoingin ourdirectionrightnow.

BILLY

162gamesSteve.

SCHOTT

Let’shopethenext30arebetterthan thelast30.

BILLY

Idon’tneedtohope.

SCHOTT

Allrightfellas.Let’sgotryandwin one.We’reinMay,we’vegottilJuly.

TheA’stakebattingpractice.

May23,2002

ART,ashealwaysdoes,iswatchingnotfromtherailing butfromthebench.

BILLYwalksintothedugoutwithoutsayinghello.

BILLY

We’renotgonnalosethreeathometothe Orioles.

(MORE)

BILLY(CONT'D)

I wantDyeinright,JusticeDH-ing,Pena on thebench,Hattebergatfirstand anyonebutMagnantefirstoutofthepen.

ART

YouwantPenaonthebench?

BILLY

That’sright.Sothatyoucanplay Hatteberg.

ART

Hatte-as opposedtotheguywho’sgoing to winRookieoftheYear.

BILLY

No,Hatte-as opposedtotheguywho

RookieoftheYearandtheA’smakingthe playoffsaretwoentirelydifferent--

ART

Pena’snotjustthebestfirstbasemanon theroster,he’stheonlyfirstbaseman on therosterandthemostvaluable memberonthisteam.

BILLY

Notaccordingto,whatdoyoucall‘em, facts.

ART

Hatteberg--—

BILLY

Listentome--getsonbasemorethan Pena.25%more.

ART

Hisfielding--

BILLY

Hisfieldingdoesn’tmatter.

ART

It doesmatterandPenaonlyhasone errorin70games.

BILLY

Notonlyisthatnumberstatistically insignificantbutit’salsosubjective. It measureswhatsomeonedidagainstwhat someoneelsethoughttheyweresupposed to do.

ART

Partoftheconversation?I’veheard enoughoftheconversationandIdisagree withyou,plainandsimple.Moreover,I stronglybelievethatyou’reinthe middleofexperiencingsomesortof personalcrisisandyouseemindifferent tothefactthatyou’retakingawhole organizationdownwithyou.I’mplaying myteamina wayIcanexplaininjob interviewsthiswinter.

SomeAsplayersarriveinthedugout,causingBillyto holdhistongue.Hesimplysays-

BILLY

Hatte,notPena.

ThegameplayssilentlyontheTVasBillyliftsweights. Notwantingtowatchbutnotbeingablenotto,helooks atthe screentoseePenatrottingouttofirstbase...

TheOrioles’benchclearstohigh-fivetheplayerscoming offthefield.Thegameisover,and,obviously,they’ve won. TheA’sexittheirdugouttothetunnels.

AsArtcrossestohisoffice,heseesBillywaiting insideitwithatowelaroundhisneck.Hehesitates, thengoesinandwefollowhim.Billysaysnothing,but hissilenceisworse.Arthastobreakit-

ART

It’sjustonegame.

BILLY

That’sthepoint,youthink?

ART

Thepointisalwaystomorrow’sgame.

BILLY

No,thepoint-asyousaid-is towin. Idon’tlikesharingthecellarwith Texas,doyou?

WehearFUNKMUSICbegintoplayinthedistance.

ART

I’mdoingthebestIcanwithwhatI’ve got. I’mplayingtheplayersI’vegot.

BILLY

I’mthroughtalking.

Billyletshimselfoutandwalksdownthehalltothe lockerroom-regardsJeremyGiambi-

JEREMY

Yeah!

He’snotevenawareofBilly.It’sjustlikeanyother

aCDof funkmusicashedresses,untilhebecomesaware ofBillystandingthere,andsmiling,hekillsthemusic.

What?

BILLY

GettingsweptbytheRedSoxathome. HavingLongleadofftheninthwitha tripleinaone-rungameandnotbeing abletoscorearunnerfromfirstwith nobodyout,isthatfun?

JEREMY

No.

BILLY

Thenwhatthefuckareyouhavingfun for?!

(calmly)

Thisiswhatlosingsoundslike.

Heheadsout.

OMITTED

PETERV/O

---point3-5belowtheALaveragefield whichisn’tbad.

(beat)

Billy?

BILLY

Yeah?

PETERINTHEVIDEOROOM-SAMETIME

Peterrattlesoffplayerstats.

PETER

Cruz--.283,.347,.476.Stevens-- -244,.349,.560.Miner--.272,.349, -499.Hanson--.280,.363,.450. Baretta--.273,.354,.497.Durazo—-- -292,.395,.621.Whatdoyouthink? (then) Billy?

BILLY(V.O.)

(beat) Idon’tknowwhereIam.

PETER

Youokay?

BILLY(V.O.)

Imissedmyexit.

BillytakesthenextofframpandasLIGHTSFLAREonthe windshield,wetransitiontoANOTHERTIME,YOUNGBILLY DRIVING--

Billyandhiswifedrivehomefromagameinsilence, theirinfantdaughterCaseyasleepinacarseatinback. SharonregardsBilly’shands,clutchedtootightlytothe steeringwheel.

SHARON

Haveyouthoughtaboutwhatyoumightdo ifbaseballdoesn’tworkout?

BILLY

(pause) What?

SHARON

Thatwastooabrupt.

BILLY

No.

(pause)

What?

If baseballdoesn’tworkout.Haveyou thoughtaboutwhatyoumightdo?

Thegame’sonlybeenoverforthree hours,Ihaven’thadthatmuchtimeto thinkaboutit.

SHARON

sure.

(beat)

Mayberealestate.

BILLY

I’‘1llbehonest,ifIdon’tmakeitin baseballIdon’tthinkI’mgoingtobe abletoaffordmuchrealestate.

SHARON

I meant-—-—

BILLY

I knowwhatyoumeant.

It’sjustaslump,right?

No.

SHARON

You’resayingeveryscoutwaswrong?

BILLY

You’rekindofsayingittoo.

SHARON

Billy--

BILLY

Honey...don’tyouthinkyoushould divorcemenowwhileyou’reyoung?

SHARONlooksathim...thenhereyesgotothewindow.

COMMENTATOR(PRELAP)

Whenascienceexperimentfailsinalab, thingsblowup.

OMITTED

INBLACK:

Problemsarethepriceyoupayforprogress.

-BranchRickey

BillyshovesawadofCopenhagenunderhislipasheand Peterwalk-and-talk.

BILLY

GetmeWade.

PETER

Why.

BILLY

Gethim.

PETER

Why.

BILLY

Gethim.

Billy’sseatedathisdesk.Peterreluctantlydialsa numberfromalist,thenumberacrossfromthePhillies’ GM’sname.Itconnectsonthespeaker.

WADEV/O

Hello?

BILLY

Ed. Billy.Ineedsomehelpondefense andI’mwillingtotradeJeremyGiambi forit.

PETER

No,you(aren’t)-

BILLY

(ignoringPeter;to Wade) Whoyougot?

WADEV/O

Letme think.

PETER

Whatareyoudoing?Jeremy’sdoing (great)-

BILLY

Cleaninghouse.

WADEV/O

Maybe?

BILLY

Maybewhat?

WADEV/O

No. Mabry.

BILLY

Hangon.

(putthecallon hold)

Mabry?

PETER

I don’tknow.

BILLY

Yes,youdo.

PETER

Runshotandcold,Billy.Impossibleto knowwhatwe’regoingtoget.He’sacrap shoot.He’sexactlythekindofplayer we’renotlookingfor.

He'llbefine,Ed.

WADEV/O

Whydo Igetthefeelingyou’repicking my pocket?

BILLY

I’mnotpickingyourpocket,you’re pickingmine.Giambi’snamealoneis worthmorethanMabry.

WADEV/O

Yourealize-

BILLY

(intophone) Ido.Hiscareerisstagnant,toputit nicely.Canwesayit’sdoneintheory andstartdrawinguppaperwork?

WADEV/O

Okay.But-

BILLY

Great.

Hehangsup.

PETER

Ithinkhewasgoingtosaysomething else.

BILLY

Peter.RuleNumber3:Whenyougetthe answeryou’relookingfor-hangup. That’sdone,andinaminutePena’sgoing toDetroit.

PETER

Idon’tthinkyouwanttodothat.

BILLY

Artcan’tputhimatfirstifhe’s playingfortheTigersandIwantHatte inthelineuptonight.

PETER

Maybeyoushouldthinkaboutthis. You’reupsetandthisis-this-

BILLY

WhatamImissing?

PETER

It’sjustaveryhardmovetoexplain. Peoplearegoingtothinkyou'velost yourmind.

BILLY

Why’sthataproblemPeter?

Beat.

PETER

Don’tmakeanemotionaldecisionBilly.

SUZANNE

DavidDombrowski’son3.

Billypicksupthecall.

Sometimesyouhavetoshakeitup.

(intophone)

David,Pena’sgoingontheblocks, you’remyfirstcall...becausehe’s makingtherestoftheteamlookbad... He’sgoingtoberookieoftheyear...

Probablyanallstar.

BILLY

He’sanallstarDave...

(winksatPeter, listens)

It’smorelikehe’screatingself-esteem problemsfortheotherguys...No,I’m lookingforarelieverandsomecash... Ok...fiveminutesDave,I’mnotwaiting.

(hangsup)

What’stheproblem?

Billy,Penaisanallstar.Ifyoudump him,andifHattedoesn’tworkout,you know,thisisthekindofdecisionthat getsyoufired.

BILLY

Whyyouworryingaboutmyjob?

(beat)

Youworriedaboutmyjoboryours?

I’mworriedaboutyours.

BILLY

Wellyoushouldbeworryingaboutyours becauseifthisthingwe’redoingdon’t work...neitherofushavejobs.

PETER

That’sprobablytrue.

BILLY

InwhichcaseI’ma44yearoldguywith ahigh-schooldiplomaandadaughterwho I’dliketobeabletoputthrough collegeoneday. (letsitsinkin) You’re25yearsoldwithadegreefrom Yaleandaprettyimpressive apprenticeship. (beat) Idon’tthinkwe’reaskingtheright question.Ithinkthequestionwe’re supposedtobeaskingnowis,doyou believeinwhatwe’redoingornot? (beat) It’saproblemthatyouthinkweneedto explainourselves.Don’t...toanyone. I’mgoingtoseethisthrough,forbetter orforworse.Justtellme,doyou projectwe’llwinmoregameswithPenaor Hattebergonfirst?

PETER

It’scloseBillybuttheoretically Hatteberg.

BILLY

Whatarewetalkingaboutthen?

Thephonerings.

BILLY

Dave. (listens) Thatworks.Great.There’sjustonemore thingIneed.Idon’twanttheguys payingforsoda--Iwantyoutostockmy sodamachineforthreeyears.Uhhuh,uh huh,great...thenthat’sadeal.

Billyhangsup.HestaresatPeter.

PETER

Thatwasthoughtful.

BILLY

Yeah.Okay.YougottatellPenatopack.

PETER

YouwantmetotellPenahe’sbeen traded?

BILLY

Bea man.

PETER

WhataboutJeremy?AmItellinghim, too.

BILLY

No. I’1lldothat.

coupleofotherplayers.HeapproachesPena.

PETER

Hey,Carlos.

PENA

Yeah.

PETER

CanI getamomentwithyou?

PENA

sure.

PETER

Okay,maybewecantalkoverhere.

Theywalkawkwardlytotheplayers’lounge.

PETER

Havea seat.

Theysit.

PETER

So,um,Carlos,you’vebeentradedtothe Tigers.ThisisthenumberofJayPalmer, theirtravelsecretary.He’sexpecting yourcall.He’llhelpyouarrangetravel to Detroit.

Penasitsandstaresathim.It’sexcruciatingforPeter, awkward,until--

PENA

Is thatall?

PETER

Yeah.

PENA

Cool.

Penajusttakesit.Picksupthenumberandleaves.

Billyknocksandletshimselfin.

BILLY

MindifIhavea seat.

ART

Please.

BILLY

Youcan’tstartPenaatfirsttonight, you’llhavetostartHatteberg.

ART

Idon’twanttogo15rounds,Billy,the line-upcardismineandthat’sall.

BILLY

Theline-upcardisdefinitelyyours,I’m justsayingyoucan’tstartPenaat first.

ART

Iam startingPenaatfirst.

BILLY

Idon’tthinkso,heplaysforthe DetroitTigersnow.

ART

(pause) YoutradedPena?!

BILLY

AlongwithGerman,HiljusandJeremy Giambi.

ART

Youareoutsideyourfuckingmind.

ArtstaresathiminasilencebrokenbyJeremyGiambi knockingontheopendoor.

BILLY

Jeremy,comeonin.

BillyjotsaphonenumberonanA’sPost-Itandhandsit tohim.

BILLY

ThisisEdWade’snumber.Youknowhim?

Artlookssick.

JEREMY

No.

BILLY

PhilliesGeneralManager.Realniceguy. Givehima call-he’sexpectingit-say hello-thentalktoFuttermanabout arrangingaflightforyou.

JEREMY

Thewhat?

BILLY

Theflight.ToPhiladelphia.

Billygetsupandshakeshishand.

BILLY

It’sbeenarealpleasure,Jeremy.I meanthat.You’reagreatballplayerand greatguy.

Jeremy,notsureheheardright,looksatthePost-Itin hishandasBillyescortshimtothedoor.

BILLY

We’regoingtomissyou.

Jeremyleaves.BillylooksatArtfromthedoor.

BILLY

Adkinsisgone,too.

ART

You’rekillingthisteam.

BILLY

Art? Icando thisalldaylong.

Heleaves.ArtnoticesPeter,whohadbeenlurkingbythe door,eavesdropping.

ART

Whatareyoulookingat?

PETER

I’mnotlookingatanything.

ART

Youwentalongwiththis?Youagreewith thisbullshit?

A hundredpercent.

saygoodbye.Tejada--

TEJADA

Keepyourheadup,okay?It’spartof thebusiness.You’regonnabeagreat player,okay?

PENA

Thankyou,man.

TEJADA

Don’tletthisbotheryouatall.

ChadBradford--

CHAD

Nicetomeetyou,brother.Takecare and...Godblessyou,man.

PENA

Thankyou.

ScottHatteberg--

HATTEBERG

You’rethebestfirstbasemanhere.It’s notright,Carlos.

PENA

Thankyou,Hattie.

HATTEBERG

Yeah.

BILLYandPETERstridethroughastheteamisgetting dressedforbattingpractice.

TheplacequietsdownasBILLYcomesin.They’veall heardthenewsandthey’veneverexperiencedamovelike thisintheircareers.

BILLY

(callingout) ScottieH.!

SCOTT

Yessir.

BILLY

Gooutandfieldsomegrounders.

BILLYlooksaroundatthePLAYERS,whoarelookingat Billy...

BILLY

Everybody,listenup.Youmaynotlook likea winningballteam.Infact,you looknothinglikeawinningballteam. Butyouareone. Soplaylikeone tonight.You’llgetfurtherinstructions tomorrow.

DAVIDJUSTICEhitsasingleupthemiddleastherunners on2ndand3rdroundthebasestoscore.

BILLY’sblackberrybuzzes.

“Snglupthemdl--2rnsscr”

BILLY

Okay.

BillytalkstoChavezandEllis.Peterstandsnearby.

BILLY

No morebunts.

CHAVEZ

No morebunts?

BILLY

A buntisanout. You’repaidtoavoid outs,notmakethem.

CHAVEZ

A buntisn’tanout.It’sasacrifice.

BILLY

A buntisforpitchersandweakhitters. You’renotapitcher,Chavvie,sowhat areyousaying?

(then)

Untilthethirdout,anythingcanhappen. Afterthethirdout,it’sover.You gottaprotectyouroutslikethey’reyour children.Everyout’sprecious,don’t give‘emaway.

(then) (MORE )

BILLY(CONT'D)

Anotherthing--youshouldseemore

wanttosee100pitchesbytheendofthe 5thinning.Youwannagetyourat-bats offtheir10thand11thpitcher.

ELLIS

Youwantustowalkmore.Howmuchmore?

BILLY

Pete?

PETER

Atleastonceeverytenatbats.

ELLIS

Or...?

BILLY

Triple-ASacramento’sonly80milesaway. Andthere’snoflights. (astheylookto Peter) Don’tlookathim.Here’sthedeal.I’m notinterestedinwhatyouthinkyouknow aboutbaseball,orwhatyouthinkIdon’t knowaboutit.I’mnotinterestedin gutsorheartordeterminationor anythingelsethefansoryourmothers loveaboutyou.I’minterestedinyou gettingonbase.Ifyoudothat,wewin. Ifyoudon’t,welose.AndIhateto lose.I hatetolosemorethanIneedto win.There’sadifference.

BillyandPetergiveadvicetoDyeandByrnes.

PETER

Everyatbatislikeahandofblackjack. Everycardthat’sdealt,yourodds completelychange.Forinstance,every firstpitchstrike,yourbattingaverage goesdownabout75points.

BILLY

75points.

PETER

75points.Everyfirstpitchball,it

gottalayoffthefirstpitch.

BYRNES

Firstpitchcurveballorfirstpitch fastball?

PETER

thefirstpitchyou’rebatting.140.

BILLY

We wanttoseemorepitches.

DYE

Howmanypitches?

PETER

Everystarter,wewanttosee100pitches by the5thinning.

DYE

So...5,6 pitchesperatbat?

PETER

Yeah. Imean,Hattebergdrained38 pitches.

BILLY

AndByrnsie,you’rehackin’at everything.You’reallsquirrelyout there.Waitforyourpitch,man.This is awarofattrition.There’snoclock on thisthing.Wait‘emout.Letthem makethemistakes.Andwhenyourenemy’s makingmistakes--don’tinterruptthem.

PeteradvisesDurhamasheworksout.

PETER

Basically,theseareallyouratbats. Thisisyouversusrighties,youversus lefties...andthen,ofcourse,allyour countknowledge,okay?Inan0-0count you’rebatting.290.Inan0-1you average.238.Ina0-2,.159.When you’re1-0,you’rebatting.324. UnderstandwhatI’msaying?

DURHAM

Notreally.

PETER

I know,it’salotofmath.Whenyour firstpitchisastrike,yourbatting averagegoesdownabout70points.

(MORE)

PETER(CONT'D)

Whenit’saball,itgoesupabout30. Ifyoudrawaballonyourfirstpitch, you’reunstoppable.Ifyoustrikeonthe firstpitch,youmightaswellbejumping offcliff.I’mtryingtogetyoutolay offthefirstpitch.

DURHAM

ButI’mafirstpitchhitter.Iliketo swingatfastballs.

PETER

Andthat’sthewayyou’vebeentrained. Butit’sahabitwe’dliketobreakyou from.We’retryingtodesignthegameto

withyoubeingagreathitter--you’rea

base.

DURHAM

ButifI getmypitch,I’mgonnaswingat it,nomatterwhatthecountis.

PETER

I’mnotworriedaboutyoucrushingthe balloutofthepark.I justwantyouto layoffanythingthatwillresultina strike.

DURHAM

IguessI’1lhavetowatchsomefilmand takealookatit.

PETER

youanytime,I’malwaysavailable.

BILLYandPETERwithagroupofplayersaroundthecard table,post-game.

PETER

--Butseriously.Makehimuseupall hisbullets.

BILLY

Yeah,makehimwork.

HATTEBERG

So...Mr.Beane?

BILLY

Billy’sfine.

HATTEBERG

Billy--

BILLY

Nah,makeitMr.Beane.

HATTEBERG

Mr.Beane--

BILLY

I’mscrewin’withyou,Haddie.

HATTEBERG

So wejustdon’tsteal?

BILLY

That’sright.

LONG

That’swhatIdo. That’swhatyoupayme to do.

BILLY

No,I payyoutogetonfirst,notget thrownoutatsecond.

LONG

I don’tgetthrownoutmuch.

BILLY

I don’thiton17attheblackjacktable, butif Idid,theoddswouldbethesame.

PETER

You'veactuallygottencaught6outof17 triesthisseason.

LONG

I get11of17. That’snotbad.

BILLY

youroutslikethey’reyourchildren. There’snoclockonthisgame.Untilthe thirdout,anythingcanhappen.Geton baseandletthenextguymoveyouup. Passthetorch,passthetorch.We’re likea machine.Arunmakingmachine.

AsJUSTICEandHATTEBERGpreparefood--

JUSTICE

What’syourbiggestfear?

SCOTT

Abaseballbeinghitinmygeneral direction.

JUSTICE

That’sfunny. (then) No,seriously.

SCOTT

Seriously.

BILLY

Hey,Dave.I’vebeenthinking...Iwant youto--

JUSTICE

Yougonnateachmesomething?

BILLY

Excuseme?

JUSTICE

I’veneverseenaGMtalktoplayers.

BILLY

You'veneverseenaGMwhowasaplayer.

JUSTICE

Huh.

BILLY

Isthereaproblem?

JUSTICE

It’sokay,man.Iknowyourroutine.It’s apatter,it’srap,it’sforeffect. That’sokay.Butit’sforthem,it’snot forme.

BILLY

You’respecial?

JUSTICE

You’repayingme7millionbuckssoI guessIama little.

BILLY

Asa matteroffactI’mnotpayingyou7 millionbucks,David.TheYankeesare payinghalfyoursalary.That’swhatthe NewYorkYankeesthinkofyou.

(MORE)

BILLY(CONT'D)

They’repayingyouthreeandahalf milliondollarstoplayagainstthem.

IfthisisnewstoJustice,hedoesn’tshowit.

JUSTICE

Whereareyougoingwiththis,Billy?

BILLY

You’realmost37,Dave.Almostasoldas me. lLet’sbehonestwitheachother

thelastounceofbaseballyouhaveleft in you,andyouwanttostayintheshow. So let’sdothat.I’mnotpayingyouto be theplayeryouusedtobe,I’mpaying youto betheplayeryouarenow.You’re smart,youknowwhat’sgoingonhere.I needyoutosetan exampleforthe youngerguys.Takealeadershiprole.

Justicejuststudieshim...thennods.

BILLY

We’recool?

JUSTICE

We’recool.

BILLY

Allright.

Billystartstoleave,buthasonelastthoughtforhim--

BILLY

Youknow--theYankeesarecomingto town. Ifitwereme--I’dwanttotake thatthreepointfiveandshoveitup theirass.ButI’ma competitor.

Billyexits.Justicecallsafterhim--

JUSTICE

Youknow,Igota coupleWorldSeries rings.I thinkI’maprettygood competitor,too.

Youwantanotherone?

DAVIDJUSTICEtakesballfourfromaYankspitcher, tosseshisbattothesideandtrotsdowntofirstbase.

TEJADAisonfirstandtakingabigleadtowardsecond. Hewantstostealitbad.

ANNOUNCER(VO)

Tejadatakingabigleadofffirst, eyeingthesteal--

BILLYwatcheswithtwoorthreeTEAMEMPLOYEES.

BILLY

Don’tdoit,Migs.

AndCRACK--abasehitsendsTejadato3rd.

BILLY’sblackberrybuzzes:

Snglto1ft.Frstandthrd--nobodyout.

BILLY

Thankyou.

Thewheelsoftheteamjetliftoff--

TheTV isonasBILLYandPETERwork,seemingmoreand morelikemadscientistswhoaregettingcloserand closertosplittingtheatom.

GREGPAPAORRAYFOSSE(TV)

WhatishappeninginOakland?!!TheA’s havewonseveninarowand15oftheir last19.YougottohandittoArtHowe. He’smanagingthisunorthodoxteaminan unorthodoxway.Theyarenotbunting.

winning.AndArtHoweisthereason.

PETER

Didyouhearthat?

BILLY

I heard7ina row.

BillyclicksofftheTVandit’sveryquiet.Billyis scrollingdownnumbersthatshowtrendsandcomparisons ofalloftheA’sreliefpitching.

BILLY

Canyoushowmerighty-leftymatchupsfor thedivisionandoverallversusMariners?

Peterreachesoverandwithafewclicksproducesnew columnsofnumbers,uponwhichBillydartshiseyesashe scrollsthroughthem.Finally-

BILLY

Okay.

Hegetsupandheadsout.

BILLYwalksthroughtheclubhouse,shoutinglockerroom shoutoutstoPLAYERSashewalksby.

BILLY

Voos.

VOOS

Billy.

Thatsmellisgettingworse.

VOOS

I’mon it,Billy.

Whatarewedoingtonight?

HERNANDEZ

Splittingtheplateinhalf.

BILLY

Bothsides.

(toHudson,playing cards)

Huddy,yougottamixituptonight. Trustyourslider.

HUDSON

Yessir.

BILLY

(totheothers) Youguysstopdistractinghim. (toChavez) Chavvie--youcouldn’thitthatshit

seemorepitches.Patience.

CHAVEZ

Yougotit,Billy.

AsBillycrossesthroughtheweightroom--

BILLY

(toJustice) HeyDavid--

JUSTICE

Hey,man.

BILLY

Greatatbats.Really.Quality.

JUSTICE

Thankyou.

BILLYknocksonArt’sdoor--somethingwehaven’tseen himdobefore.

ARTcanseeBILLYthroughthewindowblindsandisa littlesurprisedatthecourtesyofaknock.

ART

Comein.

BILLYdoes.He’sgoingtotrytodothisnicely.

BILLY

Howareya?

ART

Good.Youknocked.

BILLY

Idid,andI hopeyoutakeitasashow ofrespect.

ART

We’llsee.

BILLY

Youlookgood.

ART

We’vewon7in arow,whatamIdoing wrongnow?

BILLY

Absolutelynothing.

ART

Good.

BILLY

But.

ART

Yeah.

BILLY

Magnante’shavingsomeheadproblems.

ART

Headproblems.

BILLY

Yeah.

ART

Okay.

BILLY

He’s37andhe’sgotthreeblownsavesin twoweeks.Everytimehewindsuphe’s thinkinghe’sabouttothrowthelast

littlehard.

ART

I appreciatethis.

BILLY

sure.

ART

ButI knowmybullpen.

BILLY

questionaboutit.Exceptnotreally.

ART

Yeah?

BILLY

Ifwehavea leadlateinthegameand theyhaverunnersonbase,I’drathernot seeMagnanteoutofthebullpen.

ART

I’'11makethatdecisionwhenthetime comes.

BILLY

That’swhatyoushoulddo.Baseball'sa gameofsituationsandyoushouldmake

youshouldmakeitnow.

ART

Look--—

BILLY

Don’tbringMagnanteoutifwe’vegotta holdalateleadwithrunnerson.He’s 37,he’sscaredshitlessofbeingtheguy whoblowsthiswinningstreak.

ART

Youthinkalotofyourself,don’tyou?

BILLY

I....e. thinktheregularamountof myself.Magnanteontheotherhand,he doesn’tthinkverymuchofhimselfat all,andwhenhetightensupwe’vegot ourselvesanadventure.SoI’dliketo seeChadBradfordoutofthepentonight whenwe’rein,let’ssay,justtomakeit easierforyou,anysituation. Righty/lefty,twoouts,noouts,the umpireshavedecidedwe’regoingto finishthegamebyplayingdarts, whatever.Bradford’sthefirstguyoutof thepen. (beat) Okay?

ARTregardsBILLYforamoment...

ART

Icould’vecoachedyouup,youknow.

BILLY

Idon’tthinkso.

ART

Youthinkyouwentasfarasyoucould have?

Yeah,that’swhatImeant.PlayBradford.

BILLYstepsoutofArt’sofficeinto--

ThegameplaysonTVasBILLYbenchpresses.TheA’sare upbythreerunsintheninthinningbuttheIndianshave arunneronfirst.

Throughthetunnel,BILLYcanhearthecrackofthebat andacollectivegroanfromthestands.

BILLYholdsthebarbellintheair--frozen--ashesimply looksattheT.V.andseesthesilentimages.

ARTHOWEwalkingtothemound,tappinghislefthand.

MAGNANTEheadingtothemound.

WethinkBILLY’sgoingtotrashtheweights,buthe simplyreturnsthebarbelltothebracket,sitsupand watchesthesilentimages.

MAGNANTEmopshisbrow,squintsforthesign,windsup

PEDROwalkstofirst.

Billylaysbackonthebench,breathes,thenunmutesthe T.V.andwehear-

ANNOUNCER(FROMTV)

Magnantehasquicklylettwoonbasefor LeeStevenswho’sthegoaheadrunfor theIndiansinagamethatOakland appearedtohaveputaway.

Andthen-BILLYsitscalmly...waitsforit...and--

CRACK!

--BILLYnodshisheadattheinevitable.

ANNOUNCER(FROMTV)

Thatballisdeep....wayback...threerun homerforLeeStevenstoputCleveland aheadintheninthinning...

BILLYcanhear40,000peoplebooingtheirlungsout.He takesamoment,thengrabshisjacket.

TheFANSarebooingasARTmakeshiswaytothemoundto

bullpenandtakestheballfromART.

ARTturnstoheadbacktothedugoutbutslowsashesees a strangesight:BILLYisstandingatthedugoutrail.

TheplateUMPIREnoticesandfollowsArt’slineofsight. He seesBILLYandwalksoverthereaheadofArt.

UMPIRE

Youcan’tbeinthere,Billy.

BILLYdoesn’tmove.HejustwatchesARTashecomesinto thedugout.

UMPIRE

Billy?

ThePLAYERSarewatchingtoseewhat’sgoingtohappen. BILLYputshishandonART’sshoulderasecondashesays-

BILLY

Justnodalittlebit--nottoomuch--like I’massuringyouyoudidn’tjustmakea calamitousvocationaldecision.

UMPIRE

Playersandcoachesonly,Billy.

BILLY

(ignoringtheumpire-- stillquietlyto ART) Rememberthatinaboutfourseconds--

BILLYseesoneofthenearbyTVcameraspivotoverto catchthisconversation--

BILLY

--yeahthereitis.We’retheleadstory onSportsCenternowsoletmebebrief. Firstofall,thatwasanawfullycostly fuck-you,wouldn’tyousay?

Look--

BILLY

Secondofall,genius,thoseboos? They’reforyou.Drinkup.

UMPIRE

Comeon,Billy.

BILLY

Getme thisgameback.

AsBILLYpassesMAGNANTEhepatshisbackbeforewe--

TheradioisonandtheANNOUNCERistellingus--

ANNOUNCER(FROMRADIO)

...aftergivinguptheleadonathree runhomeroffMagnante,theA’scame rightbacktowinitinthebottomofthe ninthwithanotherthreerunhomerby MiguelTejada.AndtheA’shavewoneight in arow!

OMITTED

Astheearly-birdfanaticsarrive-playersarriveatthe players’entrance-

MagnantewalksintotheA’slockerroom.

OMITTED

Billy,standingatthedoor,surveystheroom,hiseyes movingfromplayertoplayerasthey’rehanginguptheir streetclothes.Theteam’sequipmentmanager,pouring himselfacupofcoffee,glancesover-

VOOS

Youwantone,Billy?

BILLY

I’mgood,Voos.Thanks.

Vooswandersoff.Billykeepslookingattheplayers...

LEGEND: July31-TRADEDEADLINE

Billycomesinstickingsometobaccounderhislipand, likea sharkthatknowsitcoulddieifitstopsmoving, doesn’tthroughtheentirescene--

BILLY

Suzanne,getShapiroonthephone.

PETER

AreyouthinkingRincon?

BILLY

Yeah,he’slostfaithfortheseason.I thinkhe’sgonnadumphim.

PETER

Hardcore.

TheywaitasSuzannedialstheIndians’GM,staringat thespeakerphonethatsitslikealittleislandinthe middleoftheconferencetable.

SUZANNE

Shapiroontwo.

BILLY

Mark.Billy.lLet’sbehonest.A premieresetupmanisnotgoingtoget youanyclosertotheplayoffs.

SHAPIROV/O

AreyoureferringtoRincon?

BILLY

He’saluxuryyoucan’tafford.

SHAPIROV/O

Andyoucan?There’shalfamillionon hiscontractandatleastoneother suitor.

BILLY

Byatleastone,youmeanone?Whois it?

SHAPIROV/O

I’drathernotsay.

SanFrancisco.

BILLY

I’1ll1callyouback.

Hehangsup.StaresdownPeter.

PETER

Whatdoyouthinkwecangetfor Magnante?

BILLY

Nothing.

(continuestostare downPeter)

What’sleftonVenafro’scontract?

PETER

Two-seventy-five.

BILLY

Suzanne--getmeSabean.

(then)

If wecangetSanFranciscointerestedin Venafro,Shapiro’sonlygotonebuyerfor Rincon.

PETER

Us.

Petegetsbusyonhiscomputer.

SUZANNE

On three.

BILLY

letyouhavehimforalmostnothing.

SABEANV/O (smellingarat)

Whywouldyoudothat,Billy?

BILLY

BecauseI’mamazing.

SABEANV/O

Uh-huh.

BILLY

AllI wantisacoupleofbucksanda sweetener.Throwin,Say...

BillysnapshisfingersatPeter--

PETER

Anderson.

BILLY

Anderson.

SABEANV/O

IlikeAnderson.

BILLY

No,youdon’t.Idon’tevenlikehim.I don’tknowwhyI’mdoingthis--butlet’s doitanyway.VenafroforMichaelson?

PETER

Anderson.

BILLY

Anderson.See,Idon’tevenknowhis name.

SABEANV/O

I’1lthink(about)--

BILLY

Thinkaboutitandcallmeback.

Hehangsup.

BILLY

GetShapirobackon.

BillyandPetestareateachotherinsilence.

SUZANNE

Two!

BILLY

Mark--

SHAPIROV/O

Youcan’taffordhim,Billy.

BILLY

Yousureaboutthat?Igetthe impressionthemarketforRinconis

whoever’sinterestedandmakesure they’restillinterested.Andcallme back.

Hehangsup.

BILLY

WhatabouttheMetsforVenafro?

PETER

YoujustofferedhimtotheGiants.

BILLY

Suzanne--StevePhillips!GetmeSteve Phillips.

Peteworkshiscomputer.

BILLY

BetweenBonds,Nen,KentandSnow, they’renevergonnadoit.

PETER

Totallyagree.

BILLY

We justneedthemtocoolonRincon.

SUZANNE

Phillipsontwo.

BILLY

Steve-O.Billy.Ihearyou’relooking fora left-handedreliever.Whatdoyou thinkofVenafro?Icanmakeitquick andeasyforyou.

PHILLIPSV/O

What’stheangle?

BILLY

No angle.

PHILLIPSV/O

Whoam Igettingfleecedfor?

BILLY

Hangona second.

theMets’farmsystem,hiseyesdartingaroundthestats.

PETER

Bennettmaybe?

BILLY

Howold?

PETER

Twenty-six.

BILLY

Twenty-sixandinDouble-A?Forgetit.

PETER

Duncan?No.Cerda?No. Furbush?

BILLY

Furbush? (beat) No.

PETER

Eckerton?Eckerton.Eckerton,that’s theguy.

Billypunchesthephoneoffhold.

BILLY

Eckerton.

PHILLIPSV/O

Eckerton?IlikeEckerton.

BILLY

Youdon’tevenknowwhoEckertonis.

ThephoneonPete’sdeskrings.Peteranswersasecond blinkingline.

PETER

Hello?

PHILLIPSV/O

IsVenafrohurt?

PETER

Oh,hi.

BILLY

No,he’snothurt.He’sfine.Thisis justasituationforus.

PETER

It’sSteve.

PHILLIPSV/O

Lastcoupleoftimesout,hegot hammered.

BILLY

(mute) I’monwithSteve. (unmute) Nothisfault.Wemisusedhim.

PETER

SteveSchott.

BILLY

Tellhimtohold.

(toStevePhillips)

Look. Steve.Here’sthedeal.I’m beingstraightwithyou.I’mgetting Rincon.It’sadonedeal.It’sdone.

PHILLIPSvV/O

I heardtheGiants--

BILLY

No,theGiantswantVenafro.AndItold themtheycanhavehimforMichaelson...

PETER

Anderson--

BILLY

-- butI’dratherdealwithyou.Because youcangivemeEckertonandtwohundred andtwenty-fivethousandcashandthe Giantscan’t.

Billy’slooktoPetersays,Doesn’thurttoask.Asthey listentosilenceonPhillips’sideofthecall--

PETER

Yes,I understandit’simpolitetokeep youholding.

PHILLIPSV/O

T’1l1thinkaboutit.

BILLY

Of course.Think.Butwhoevercallsme backfirstgetsVenafro.

tohisowner.

PETER

He hungup.

Silence.Then--

BILLY

If youcouldhavethepowerofflightor invisibility,whichwouldyouchoose?

PETER

What?

BILLY

Invisibilityorflight?

PETER

(thinks) Invisibility.

BILLY

That’swhatCaseysaid.Why?

PETER

You’dhavetotalaccess.Besides, everyoneelsewouldchooseflight.

Quiet.

BILLY

Whyisn’tanybodycalling?

Thephonerings.

SUZANNE

Shapiro’sontwo.

Billypicksup.Listens.Fistpump.

BILLY

rightback. (then) GetSteve.

PETER

PhillipsorSchott?

BILLY

WhywouldIcallPhillipsback?Schott. TellhimI’montheotherline.

PETER

Right.

Peterdials.Billycan’tsit.

PETER

Mr.Schott,it’sPeterBrand.SorryI

youback.He’sonanotherline.

BILLY

Tellhimweneedtwohundredandtwenty- fivegrandforRincon.

PETER

Billysaysheneedstwohundredand twenty-fivethousanddollarsforRicardo Rincon.Please?

(then)

Yes,I addedtheplease.

(listens;toBilly)

No.

Billythinksintensely.Finally--

BILLY

TellhimI’1lpayit,butwhenIsellhim nextyearfortwicethat,Ikeepthe money.

PETER

Billysayshe’1llpayforRinconhimself, sellhimnextyear,andkeeptheprofit.

PeterlistenstowhateverSteveSchottissaying,then--

PETER

Okay. Thankyou.

(hangsup)

He sayshe’1llpayforRincon.

Highfive.

BILLY

Great!Shit. Whatareweforgetting?

(callingout)

Getme Shapiro!

--ashegrabshiscellphoneandhitsspeeddial.

BILLY

Wait,nevermind!

(beat,theninto phone)

Mark. Yeah,it’sBilly.Here’sthe deal. Idon’twantRinconpitching

acceptyourgratitude.It’sdone.

Hehangsup.Fistbump.

BILLY

We gottaletsomeonego.It’sMags. It’sgottabeMags.

PETER

I callnotit.

Billydialsanextension.

BILLY

Rincon’sheadingovertotheclubhouse. ThebadnewsisyougottotellMagshe threwhislastpitchfortheOaklandA’s lastnight.

ARTV/O

No.

BILLY

Whatdoyoumean,no.

ARTV/O

No,aSinno. I’mnotdoingit.Youdo it. Youdidit,soyoudoit.

Arthangsup.Billyslamsthespeakerphone.

PETER

It’snotthephone’sfault.Suzanne, we’regonnaneedanewspeakerphone.

BILLY

WegottacatchMagsbeforeRinconcomes over.

He leaves.

Billycomesthroughtheclubhousepasthisteamsuiting upto whereMagnanteisadjustinghiskneebracesnextto hislocker,andsitswithhim.

BILLY

Mike--

MAGNANTE

Hey,Billy.IknowI’vebeenstruggling lately.Butwe’recomingintothehome stretch,andIpromiseI’mgonnaturnit around--

BILLY

--I needyoutostopgettingdressed.

Magnanteisn’tsureheheardright,butthesilencetells himhedid. Eventually-

MAGNANTE

Traded?

Billyshakeshishead,no.

BILLY

I’msorryforthecrapnews.Iknowit hurts.

(then)

Mike. Ican’thave26guysinthe clubhouse.

Magnantenods.

MAGNANTE

Alright.

BILLY

Thanks.

Billygetsuptoleave.Asheexits,heseesPeterenter withRincon,standingwithhisnewuniforminhisarms, lookinglikeaprisoninmate.Oops.Billyjoinsthem.

BILLY

Hey,Ricardo.

RINCON

Hola,senor.

BILLY

Hola. Hey,Iknowthismustseemabit sudden,buttheOaklandA’shavebeen tryingtogetyouforalongtime. You’regonnaloveithere.Theguysare fun.

PETER

Muydivertido.

RINCON

I pitchtonight?

BILLY

I don’tknowifyou’regonnapitch tonight.Butyou’reonourteamtonight.

RINCON

I nowannapitchtonight.

BILLY

Right.So...whereyoufrom?

RINCON

Veracruz,Mexico.

BILLY

Well,you’realotclosertohome.Why don’tyouhangoutthereforfivemenudos andwe’1llgetyouauniformand everything. (tosideroom) Heyguys,cleartheroom,huh?Sayhito RicardoRincon.

Astheotherplayersfileoutandsayhello...

Billy,TaraandCaseyatdinner.

BILLY

Taraandmewerethinking--

CASEY

Dad...TaraandI--

TARA

Sheiscorrect.

BILLY

TaraandIwerethinkingaboutgoingto PointReyestothebeach.

CASEY

That’dbefun.

TARA

Mego,too?

BILLY

AndI’1llworkonmygrammar.

CASEY

(beat,then) Dad...areyougoingtoloseyourjob?

BILLY

What?Wheredidyouhearthat,honey?

CASEY

Theinternet.

BILLY

No,I’mnotgoingtolosemyjob.Don’t goontheinternetorwatchTVorread thepapersortalktopeople.

CASEY

I’mnottalkingtopeople,I’mjust readingstuff.

BILLY

Don’tworry.Youdon’tbelieveme?Ask Tara.

TARA

He’snot(losinghisjob).Yourdadisa brilliantman.He’sthebestGMin baseball.

CASEY

Butsaythatyoudid--justsaying-- wouldyouhavetomoveaway?

BILLY

No,honey.Absolutelynot.Andevenif I did,I’mnotgoinganywhere.Itold younotto worryaboutme.Peoplesaya lotof crazythingsandtheydon’talways knowwhatthey’retalkingabout.It’s justgossip.Likegossipersatschool.

TARA

Youcan’talwaysbelievewhatyouread. Sometimesyouneedtoscratchunderneath thesurfaceandfindwhotheauthority is.

BILLY

Andonceyoudofindoutwhothe authoritiesare,ignorethematall costs.

TARA

Youcanalwaysaskyourdad.

BILLY

Everything’sfine,honey.I’mnotgoing

jobis ifsomeonewastogivemeabetter one. Don’tworryaboutme,okay?Dad knowswhathe’sdoing.

CASEY

Pinkieswear?

BILLY

Pinkieswear.

A GRAPHIC

oftheAL WeststandingsoverAGAMEBEINGPLAYED--from thestartoftheseasonuntilnow--theteamsshifting positionsasthe“games-out”andwinningpercentage numberschangelikeanaddingmachine,toofastforusto reallyfollow,butthen:

Thecalculationsabruptlylockandwe’regivenenough timetounderstandwherewe--andOakland--areafter120 games:

AL West GB WP Seattle --- -610 Anaheim 2.0 -593 Oakland 4.5 571 Texas 21.5 ~427

REPORTERV/O

TheA’sbeginthisroadtripona10game winningstreak,pickinguptwogameson theMarinersandtheAngels,andit shouldbenotedthisistheirlongest winningstreakinsixyearsheadinginto--

A PITCHTRACKINGCAMERAmountedincenterfield.ZOOMIN tothe lens...

PetersitswithHatteberg,reviewinghishitsona monitor.

PETER

Thisisachartofwhatyoushouldand shouldn’tbeswingingat.Thesecircles representdifferentpitches.Redishit, blueisout,yellow’smissedorfoul, greenischased,whitetaken.Thisis youversusConway.Whatdoyousee?

HATTEBERG

I’mchasingalotofhighandoutside.

PETER

Therediswheremosthitshappen. That’swhereyouwanttobeswinging. Youdon’twanttobeswingingatthejunk atthetopofthestrikezone.We’d rathertakethosestrikes,‘causeyou’re notgoingtohit‘emoutofthepark. Andyou’regoodaboutthat,patient.

(MORE)

PETER(CONT'D)

Rightnowyou’reaveragingabout4 pitchesperat-bat.

HATTEBERG

4 perbat?

PETER

Yeah,andthat’sgreat.Oneofthe reasonswhyweloveyou.You’redraining a pitcher’spitches.Now,guyslike BondsandJasonGiambiaveragealittle over5. That’stoptier.Doesthis chartmakesensetoyou?

HATTEBERG

Yeah. I’11getonbasemoreifIlayoff

havea breakdownofthisfromeverygame?

PETER

rightplace.Thisisn’tsomethingthey

somethingfundamentalwe’relookingfor-- howto wearoutapitcher’sarm.If you’reabouttofaceConwayandwondering whatyoushouldandshouldn’tswingat, comeinhereandwatchhowyou’re

thesepitchesandwatchithappen. Prettygreat,right?

HATTEBERG

ShowmesomeofthestuffI’mchasingup high...

TIMELAPSEofhundredsofatbatsregisteringand

OUTtorevealwe’renowin

PeterandBradfordreviewfootage.

PeteranalyzesthedatawithBillyastheythrowaball backandforth.

PETER

Everybodythinksthefirstpitchis what’smostimportant,butit’snot. It’sthefirsttwooutofthreepitches thatmatterthemost.

(MORE)

PETER(CONT'D)

Thedifferencebetween1-2and2-1isthe differencebetweenascrubandanAll Star.

BILLY

Soyou’resayingifwecangetourguys tolayoffthefirstpitchit’1lputus inthedriver'sseat?

PETER

Anysortofextradisciplineinthefirst threepitcheswillhelpus.

A gameisonTVinthebackground.Billymakesvarious commentsthethescreen--

BILLY

That’saproblemrightthere.Terrance joggingtofirst. (then) Mr.Justice.That’swhatwepayyoufor. (then) ChadBradford,youdeceptivesonofa bitch,Iloveyou. (then) He’sapainintheass,butthatGiambi getsonbase.

Anothertrainofthought--

PETER

Hattebergoncehad18walksin30at bats.

BILLY

MywholecareerIonlyhadeighteen walks.

PETER

Actually...11.

BILLY

Shutup.

AndnowwehaveQUICKSCENESOFBILLYTAKINGPLAYERS ASIDE--

LOCKERROOM--BILLYANDTEJADA-DAY

BILLY

Migs,let’smakeadeal.I’1lpayyou fiftybucksforeveryawayfastballyou hittooppositefield,butyou’vegotta paymefiftyforeveryoneofthoseyou pull.

Tejadaimmediatelystartsthinkingaboutit.

TERRANCELONGisworkingout.Billypokeshisheadin.

BILLY

Hey,T. Didyourcargetegged?

LONG

Yeah.

BILLY

I thinkIjustgotane-mailfromthe

goodmoneyjusttowatchyoujogging aroundthebases.

LONG

Whatthehelldoesthathavetodowith anything?

BILLY

I don’tknow,man.Don’tworryaboutit.

Billyexits.Longcallsafter--

LONG

Whobringseggstotheballparkanyway?!

BillyandMecirwalkdownthehallwiththesmellystain.

BILLY

Man,you’renotfoolinganyonebut yourselfoutthere.You’refalling

mind,what’stheproblem?

Mecirmumblessomething.

BILLY

I can’tunderstandyouwithyourhand overyourmouth.

MECIR

Sorry,Billy.It’sjust,thesmell...

BILLY

Right?

(indicatesstain)

It’sthat.Andit’sgrowing.

Theystareatthestaininsilence.Finally--

MECIR

I’mgonnagrabashower.

BILLY

Yup.

OMITTED

Hattebergintheclubhouse.Billyenters.

BILLY

Hey,Scottie.What’sonyourmind?

HATTEBERG

IfeellikeI’mhurtingtheteam.At firstbaseI’mmakingalotoferrors. I’mgonnacostusahundredruns.

BILLY

16.5actually.Butasahitter,youwill create70runs.70runswinsusanawful lotofballgames.Icanlivewiththat. Canyoulivewiththat?

HATTEBERG

Iappreciatethat,butIknowyou’rejust pullingthosenumbersoutofyourass.

BILLY

I’mpullingthemoutofPete’s,actually. (then)

firstbase,besocial.

HATTEBERG

Social?

BILLY

intoyouroffice,chathimup.You’re wellread,youwenttocollege.Have somefunoutthere.Relax.

HATTEBERG

Yessir.

BILLY

Scottie,youdeservetobehere.

PETERiserasingthepercentageofgamesleftthatthey needtowinandwritinginaLOWERnumber--

BILLY

Moreinformation.

TIMELAPSEPHOTOGRAPHYofallofthechangestotheboard overthefollowingtwoweeks.

OMITTED

It’stheTwinsvs.theA’s.ATWINSPLAYERstandsat first,stoic.Scottfigures“Whatthehell?”andturns tohim.

HATTEBERG

Whatareyouguysgettinguptotonight?

ThefocusedTwinsplayerlooksatScottlikehe’scrazy.

TWINSPLAYER#1

Bedby teno’clock.Gametime.

HATTEBERG

I don’tbuyit.

TWINSPLAYER#1

I’msore,man.Beatup. Dayin,day out.

HATTEBERG

Whered’youguysgonext?

TWINSPLAYER#1

Houston.

HATTEBERG

Houston?

(then)

Youevergetupto BoundaryWatersup thereinMinnesota?It’sbeautiful.I wentona tripupthere.Fishingtrip. Caughtsomewalleye.

TWINSPLAYER#1

That’sgoodfishing.

ScottchattingwithaDIFFERENTTWINonfirst.

HATTEBERG

“Mankevich”ispolish?

TWINSPLAYER#2

Yes,sir.

Crack!Theball’sinplay.It’sthrowntoHatteberg, whotagsoutthestunnedplayer.

A DIFFERENTTWINisonfirst.

HATTEBERG

Where’dyougotoschool?

TWINSPLAYER#3

UniversityofArizona.

HATTEBERG

Whatareyouguysgettinguptotonight?

TWINSPLAYER#3

Seewhatthecity’sabout--San Francisco.Whatareyouupto?

HATTEBERG

Idon’tknow.Dependsonifwebeatyou today.Probablycelebrating. (then) SomyGM saysIgottabemoresocial. Whatwasyourname?

TWINSPLAYER#3

Jaqcue.

HATTEBERG

I’mScott.

TWINSPLAYER#3

Howareyoudoing,Scott?

HATTEBERG

Prettygood.Yougotkids?

TWINSPLAYER#3

Yeah...

Crack!Hattebergcatchestheball,makinganotherout.

GRAPHICS

ThestandingsgraphicshowstheA’shavejustmovedup intoathree-waytieforfirstplace--

REPORTER

Oakland’soffensehasexploded,scoring 40 runsintheirlastfourgamesand extendingtheirstreakto17inarow whichisanAmericanLeaguerecordgoing backto1954andjustthreeshyofthe all-time--

ALWest GB WP Oakland os -619 Anaheim 4.0 -591 Seattle 4.5 -586 Texas 22.5 -450

CHADBRADFORDsmokesthelastbatteronacalledthird striketoendthegameagainsttheTwins,andtheTEAM rushesintocongratulatehim--

BILLYlooksdownathisblackberry,seestheresultand makesasmallfistpump.

REPORTER

WhowouldhavethoughtinAprilI’dbe sayingthis:TheA’swontheir18thgame in arow,that’stwo-shyoftying,three- shyof beatingtheAmericanLeaguerecord-

OMITTED

SHOTSOFTHEGAMEANNOUNCERS.

--wheretheenergyiselectric.

ALWest GB WP Oakland — -633 Anaheim 3.5 -609 Seattle 7.0 -583 Texas 25.5 ~-449

REPORTER#1V/O

Thisissomethingspecialnowandfarbe it formetojinxitbysayinghowmany consecutivegamestheA’shavewon--

REPORTER#2V/O

Nineteen--

REPORTER#1V/O

Wellyousaiditnotme.

Ticketsaretornandpursessearchedasrecordbreaking numbersoffanspourintothestadium.

REPORTER#2V/O

NoneoftheOaklandfansintheircars downtherehaveforgottentheA’s inglorioushistory-makingchokeinGame5 oftheALDSlastOctoberandtonight--

It’slikeatomb.ThePLAYERSaregettingreadywithout musicorchat.Justicestepsuptodeliverapre-game peptalk.

JUSTICE

Hey,listenupfellas...bringitupreal quick. (then) Wegotsomeolderguysonthisteam,we

wegotrightnowisachanceforeveryone tomakehistory.Idon’twanttoget sappyandcorny,butthisiswhatweplay for.We'vebeenplayin’realgoodfor 19. Let’sget20.Weget20,theycan’t takethatawayfromusuntiltheydoit

tonight,keepplayinglikeyou’vebeen playing.Guysnotstarting,beready. Huddie,yougottheball--shoveitup theirasstonight.Let’splaysomeball! Let’sgo!

LEGEND:

September4,2002

KansasCityRoyalsatOaklandA’s

GAME20

REPORTER#2V/O

--onegameshyof20consecutivewins,

isitto win20gamesinarow?This rare:NoAmericanLeagueteamhasever doneit.

thespeakerbuttonforthetruck.

BILLY

Don’ttellmethescore,Peter.

SHARONV/O

It’sme,Billy.

BILLY

Howyoudoin’,leggy.

SHARONV/O

Nope.

BILLY

Sharon?

SHARONV/O

Youhangin’inthere?

BILLY

Yeah.

There’ssilence...

BILLY

Hello?

(beat)

Sharon?

SHARONV/O (pause)

“Gointorealestate”.Whatastupid thingtosay.

BILLYdidn’tevenrealizeuntilthatmomenthowmuchhe wantedtohearhersaythat...He’snotsurewhattosay back.

BILLY

I appreciatethat,thanks.

SHARONV/O

Goodluck.Caseywantstotalktoyou.

CASEYV/O

Areyouon yourwaytothestadium?

BILLY

No,I’mon mywaytoVisaliatoseeour minorleagueteam.

CASEY

game.

BILLY

No,Idon’t.

CASEY

Turnaround.

BILLY

T’1lltalktoyoulater,sweetheart.I loveyou.

Hehangsup,drivesalittlelonger...letting whatCasey saidsinkin.Then...

BILLY

(tohimself) Shhhit.

..e-heturnsontheradio.

ANNOUNCERV/O

TimHudsoniscarvingthroughthisRoyals line-upandattheendofthree,it’sthe A’s11andKansasCitynothing.

BILLY

(quietly) OhGod. (beat) OhhhhGod.

a decisionandquicklycrossestotheright,justmaking theexit.

OMITTED

BILLYisstridingthroughanundergroundcorridorwhich isechoingwiththecheersof55,000fans.

BILLYemergesfromatunneltoasightBilly’sdenied himselffor138games:Thelit-upballparkwithagamein play.Fromthefield,weseeBillyfindinghisplacein theseatsbehindhomeplate.Peterisalreadythere.

BILLY’SPOVOFTHESCOREBOARD:11-0atthebottomofthe 3rd.Unfortunatelytheidyllicmomentisshort-livedas

A’stakethefieldwithTIMHUDSONpitching.

Billylooksaround.Heseesthescoreboard,aFANwitha bigfunkycowboyhat,thecharged-upcrowdinthestands, it’sliketheColiseumatRome.

IBANEZoftheRoyalssinglestocenterfield.

RANDAoftheRoyalssinglestoleftfield.

ButtheOaklandfansarestilljubilantanddothewave.

ThenabigerrorfromTejadaputsrunnersonlst,2ndand 3rd(MAYNE,IbanezandRanda).

Asifwe’veenteredtheTwilightZone,itbecomes twilightandLIGHTSGOON.

DEEBROWNoftheRoyalssinglestoright,bringingIbanez andRandahome,andMayneto3rd.

IbanezandRandahigh-fiveeachotherattheplate, passingBillyastheyheadtotheirdugout.Okay,the Royalsareontheboardnow:11-2,butjustbarely.Until-

PEREZoftheRoyalssinglestocenterfield,bringing Maynehome.

makesanembarrassingfalltryingtocatchit,andBrown andPerezscore.Theyhigh-fiveandpassBillyasthey leavetheplate,thesecondtimehe’sseenthat,and suddenlytheRoyalshave5.

ReactionshotCLOSE-UPS:Justice,Tejada,Tuckeron2nd, ArtHowe,theRoyals’dugout,apitcher’sconferencewith PetersonandHudson.

AndfinallyBilly,whoWALKSOUT.

MIKESWEENEYoftheRoyalssinglestoleft-centerfield-- NeitherJusticeorLonggetit,itlandsbetweenthem. AndtheyhaveWORDS.

Randamakesasloppysingletoleftfield...thisone goesbetweenJusticeandTejada.

MONTAGEofA’satbat:Hernandezgroundsout,DURHAM strikesout,Mabrygroundsout...AstunnedA’SFAN standsupwithhisarmsoutina“WTF??”gesture.While theA’sarestillup,thisisexcruciatingforthefans.

OMITTED

ANNOUNCERV/O

KansasCity’sscoredfiveandOakland’s leadisdowntosixasArtHowecomesout tothemoundtopullTimHudson.

ArtHowecomesoutofthedugout,givesthesignalfor “underhander,”takestheballfromHudson.

ANNOUNCERV/O

He’1llgowiththesubmariner,Chad Bradford.

We seeSHOTSOFFANSinthesold-outstadiumexperiencing theheightoftensionandexcitementinsports.

ChadBradfordcomesoffthebullpenmoundtorelieve Hudson,andbeginscountinghissteps-

CHAD

One,two,three,four-

ChadarrivingatthemoundtakingthegameballfromArt, whowe seeisgenuinelysupportiveandencouragingto Chad.

Chadfinishinghiswarm-uppitches.

CHAD

Iknowwhatitisto beinneedandto

thingsthroughChristwhogivesme strength--

BILLYisjustastenseasthefans.

OkayChad,let’sseeit.

centerfield,theonethingLongmanagestopickup.The crowdgrowsanxious.

CHAD’ssubmarinerpitchtothenextbatter,DEEBROWN,

tworunnerson.

SomeFANShavetocovertheireyes.There’sapitcher conference.

warmup.Thefansaren’thappyeither.

ORDAZoftheRoyalsgroundstoTejada,whothrowshome fortheforce,andmisses.Nowit’s11-6!

HowepullsBradford.

batter,TUCKER,protests,andfansgocrazyBOOING.

Brownscores,11-7now,Royalschippingawaythatlead, and--

HowepullsRincon.Tamcomesintorelievehim.

Sweeney’sup.Inrapidsuccession,weseemhimbattleoff TENPITCHESofTam.He’sgottwostrikesonhim,more toiletpaperfliesonthefield,Bowiecomesintowarm upwhichTamsees,then-

SWEENEYHITSATHREE-RUNHOMERTOMAKEIT11-10!Thisis excruciating.

OMITTED

BOWIEisalreadygone.KOCHisonthemound.There’sa Royal,PELLOW,on2nd.Accordingtothescoreboard,it’s 2outs,2strikes.IfKochthrowsastrike,thegameis over.Thefansarefuckingfeverish.

ALICEAoftheRoyalssinglestoleftandPellowscores. ThegameisnowTIED.

Intheirdugout,RoyalsGLOAT.

He’sendedtheinning,butintheA’sdugout,Kochslams thewall.

OMITTED

Thescoreboardshowsusthatit’sstilltiedinthe bottomoftheninth.Nobody’sout.DYEgrabsabatand walkstotheplate.Then,inexplicably,Howeturnsto-

ART

Hattie.Grababat.

SCOTTHATTEBERGactuallypointstohimselfandmouths, Me?

ART

Let’sgo.

SCOTTpullsabatfromtherackandheadstotheon-deck circle.Heonlymanagesawarmuppitchortwobefore-

BillyiswatchingonamutedtelevisionasheseesDye flyouttorightfield.AsHatteapproachestheplate,he killstheTV.

OMITTED

AsROY STEELE’sboomingvoiceechoes:

VOICEOFGOD

PinchhittingforEricByrnes--Scott Hatteberg.

Scott’swife,ELIZABETH,watchesfromtheVIPseats.She clutchesherface.

SCOTTletsthefirstpitchgoby.

UMPIRE

Ball!

ArtHowelookslikehecan’tstanditanylonger.Inthe dugout,Kochlookslikeapsychopathreadytokill.

backinandstaresattheexactspotinspacehethinks thepitchwillleavethepitcher’shand.

Thepitch.SCOTTswings.

Crack!55,000erupt.TheA’sleaptothefrontofthe dugoutstepsandwatch.

Weseetheballascendingonastrongtrajectory,but beforewecanknowforsurewhereit’sheaded,TIMESLOWS TOACRAWL-

BILLY’ssittingonthefloorwithhisbackagainstthe wall,tryingtobreathe.Helookslikehe’sinpain.He can’tmove.

HehearsthecrowdERUPToutside.HisBlackberrybuzzes:

“hattehomered.a’s12,ryls11”

BillyflipsontheTV.Withsoundoff,hewatchessilent imagesofhisteamswarmingthemoundin(archival footage)mixedinwithArtHowecelebratingwiththem.

OMITTED

OMITTED

watchesherhusbandgetmauledbyhisteammatesatthe plate.

BILLY’sstillcontemplatingmakingALhistoryas celebratingplayersfloodintothelockerroomjust outside.Billylooksthroughaportalonthedoor.He’s

Theplaceispackedwithplayers,coachesandnewscrews. There’snochampagnesprayingbuttheyfeelliketheywon theWorldSeriesandinfacthavedonesomethingmuch morerare.

pushingthroughthecrowd,hewalksoutsideoftheclub houseintothe-

wheretheplayers’familiesandwivesarewaiting.Billy seesELIZABETHHATTEBERGwalkingtowardhim--

ELIZABETH

Mr.Beane?I’mElizabethHatteberg.We metatmyhouselastChristmas.

BILLY

sure.

ELIZABETH

Thankyou.

BILLY

Thankme?Thankyou.Whateveryouputin thoseChristmascookies,keep--

ELIZABETHstartstocry--

BILLY

Whoa.It’sokay.

ELIZABETH

I'msorry.

BILLY

It’salright.

ELIZABETH

Youdon’tknowwhatit’sliketohave everyonethinkyou’reafailure.

BILLYdoesn’tsayanythingbutofcoursehedoes.

BILLY

Well...Youneverthoughtthat,andthat’s what’s-—-—

ELIZABETH

(theworstpossible sin) Idid. (beat) AndheknowsIdid.

BILLYtakesthisinasecond...

BILLY

Yeahhedoesknowyoudid.

ELIZABETH

He’stalkedtoyou?

BILLY

No.Ijustknow. (beat) That’sallovernow.

(MORE)

BILLY(CONT'D)

YourhusbandjusttookaJasonGrimsley two-seamfastballandparkeditinthe upperdeckinleftfieldforapinch-hit walk-offhomeruninarecordbreaking game.Gotellhimaboutit.

ELIZABETHlooksathimamoment...andthenstartscrying again--

BILLY

No it’sokaynow,justgo.

standingthere.

BILLY

Gilligan.

PETER

Congratulations.

BILLYandTARAareeating.

BILLY

Aw,man. Ispendtheseasontryingto reduceittonumbersandwewonon romance.Suddenlyit’stheNaturalwith Hatteberg.ScottHatteberg.

(toasts)

To twenty.

TARA

To twenty.

(then)

Youshould’veseenElizabeth’sfacewhen it wentrightover.

BILLY

Sheshowedupafterwards.

TARA

Whatdidshesay?

BILLY

I wasabigmomentforthem.Youknow everyonewrotehimoff?

TARA

Youdidn’t.Youfoundhimandyouput thattogether.

BILLY

Iknow. Itwasbeautiful.Butyou know...it’snotgonnameanathing.

He’supset.Sheknowsit.

BILLY

Here’sthething--wechangedthegame. Wegotthisyear,maybenext,then they’regonnacatchon.Thisisour moment.Iwanttogothedistance.I wannashoveituptheYankees’ass.Not justtheYankees,but...theseguys deserveit.

TARA

Youdeserveit.Honey,20games.It’sa record.

BILLY

That’sright,it’sjustarecord.It getsburiedinsomebook.Comeon,tell mewhowon19? Idon’tevenknow.It’s

teamwinstheWorldSeriesthisyear... great.We’restillintherecordbooks. Butifwewin,we’vechangedthegame. We'veputitonitsheadandshoveditup theirass.Ifwedon’t,they’regonna eraseus.

OMITTED

Thesameshotasatthebeginning:theColiseumfromhigh above,onlythistimethefinalgameofthedivision seriesisbeingplayedathome.

LEGEND:

2002ALDS DecidingGame5

MinnesotaTwinsatOaklandA’s

Thecamerapansdownthehugescoreboard.It’s excruciating.Thenumbersontheboardtellusit’sbeen an incrediblyclosegamebuttheA’sarelosingbyone runinthebottomoftheninthwithtwooutsandnobody on.

DurhamaswehearthevenerablevoiceofESPN’sJoe Morgan,who’sspeakingpost-game.

JOEMORGANV/O

TheflawintheA’sthinking,andthis comesfromthetopoftheirorganization-- is theirfailuretocomprehendyouhave to manufacturerunsinthepostseason.

Durhamfoulsoffapitch.Striketwo.

JOEMORGANV/O

smallball,notBillyBall.

Durhamswingsatthefastballandconnects,butit’sa popflytosecondwhichaTWINSINFIELDEReasilynabs. ThePITCHERthrowshisgloveintheairandtheCATCHER runsouttothemoundastherestoftheTwinsruntothe middleofthefieldtobegintheirvictorycelebration.

Durhamturnsawayandheadsbacktothedugout.

TheA’shavelosttheseries.

JOEMORGANV/O

Theythinkthey’vedevisedascienceto

fundamentals.Attradition.AtBaseball.

OMITTED

Harrowedbythedefeat,PETERstaresattheTV,listening toJoeMorgan.

JOEMORGANV/O

They’rebeancountersinOakland.That’s beanwithan“e”attheend.They’recard countersattheblackjacktablewho forgetthehousealwayswins.

PeterSMASHINGawoodenchairtopieceswithabaseball bat.

Peter,inexhaustion,hiseyesgluedagaintothescreen watchingshots(ARCHIVALVIDEO)ofeuphoricTwins revelingandA’sstunnedattheirmisfortune.

A LOCKED-OFFSHOTbeginstoslowlymovetowardsthepile ofcelebratingplayersonthemoundandaswenear,the soundbeginstofadeandthePLAYERSBEGINTODISAPPEAR, asdo theFANSandALLOCCUPANTSOFTHECOLISEUM.DRIFTin anemptystadium,towardsthedugout,wherethelastof theCLEANINGCREWbroomsthefloor.

CAMERAMOVESdownadimlylitcinderblockcorridor,and finallyintothe-

wherewediscoverasolitaryfigure.

ThecameracomestosettleontheOaklandA’splayer, stillinuniform,hoursafterthegamehasended,sitting withhisfaceinhishands.Afteralong,deepbreathhe sitsupandwediscoverthatit’sBilly,10yearsprior.

Billy,stillinuniform,walksdownthelongcorridor thatleadstotheGM’soffice,hiscleatsclickingonthe concretehalls.

ALDERSONV/O

Thisisweird,Billy.

BILLY’sstandinginfrontoftheA’sGMwearinghis uniformpantsandat-shirt.

ALDERSON

It’slikeapoliticianquittinga

knowwhatascoutdoes?

BILLY

I'vebeenscoutedsinceIwas15.

ALDERSON

Andyou’rereadytosay,“I’mnota baseballplayer”?

BILLY

I’mnota baseballplayer.

BILLY

Readytodothis?

Petenods.Billycallsout--

BILLY

Suzanne?GetSchotton.

(toPeter)

YoueverbeentoBoston?

Thespeakerphonerings.Billyanswers.

BILLY

We needtotalkabouttheRedSox.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

So Iheard.JohnHenryreachedoutto you?

BILLY

Yes. ButIhaven’tspokenwithhimyet.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

That’swhathesaid.

BILLY

I wantyourblessingbeforeIdo.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

Well,howamI supposedtoreacttoall of this?You’reundercontract,Billy. Youextended.

BILLY

I knowthat,Steve,butI’dliketotalk to them.Iwanttoseewhattheyhaveto say.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

You’reaskingmetoletthemtalktoyou?

BILLY

Yes. Withyourpermission.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

Well,Ican’tdothatunlessIknowPeter isinplaceasmyGM.

BILLY

Pete?

SCHOTT(V.O.)

I’mnotlettingyoutakehimwithyou, andIhavenoideaifhe’swillingto stayifyouaren’there.HowdoIeven knowIcancometotermswithhim,given theextremelydisadvantagedbargaining positionyou’reputtingmein?

BILLY

Well,Ithinkyou’1llagreethisisa greatopportunityforhim.Ican’t believehe’snotgoingtomakeadeal.

he’sevenintheroom.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

Ifyouwantoutofyourcontract,Iwant theirwholeteamandalotofcash. We’veinvestedinyou.

BILLY

Ihaven’taskedtogetoutofmy contract,Steve,IjustaskedifIcould talktothem.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

AndIsaidI won’tgiveyoupermission unlessIknowIhavePeter!Youcan’t leavemewithavacantfrontoffice.

BILLY

ThentalktoPeter.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

Iwill.

Silence.

SCHOTT(V.O.)

Allright.Youknowwhat?I’vemadeit apointnevertostandinthewayofa

madethecall,thegenie’soutofthe

whenInamedyouGM;that’swhyIdidit andIhavefaithinitnow. Goodluck, Billy.

Billyhangsup.Alongbeat.PeterlooksatBilly.

PETER

Well,Ididn’tseethatcoming.

BILLY

I thinkyoushouldthinkaboutstaying. You’reoneofthearchitectsofthis thing,itbelongsasmuchtoyouasit doestome.

PETER

Okay...okay...

BILLY

HowyoudoingPete?

PETER

I’ma littleoverwhelmedrightnow.I thinkIneedtoprocesswhat’shappening.

BILLY

Whydon’tyoutakethedayoff.

Billyregardsculinarytreatspresentedfancifullyina towncarthattransportshimtoFenwayPark.

WeestablishthefamoushomeoftheRedSoxbefore

thehistoricstadium...

JOHN(0.S.)

BillyBeane!

JOHNHENRY,thenewowneroftheBostonRedSox,is shoutingathimfromtheowner’sbox.BILLYgivesakind ofwave.

HENRY

DuerespecttotheColiseum,butthisis a ballpark.

BILLY

Yesit is.It is.

Youeverplayhere?

FLASHCUT:

BILLYswinginghardatapitchinthedirt.

BILLY

No.

JOHN

That’sashame.Let’swalkthefield.

BILLYandJOHNbeginastrollaroundtheperimeterof Fenway.

JOHN

Hey,I’msorryIkeptyouwaitingbut believeitornottherewassnowon84.

turnsontoYawkeeWayandit’s53

entirelydifferentweathersystemhere thanthereisthreemilesfromhere?Is thatglobalwarmingorasignthat there’snosuchthing?

BILLY

Idon’tknow.

JOHN

What’sthatBillyJoelsong?Ohthesnow itwasfallingfromStockbridgeto

somethingbecauseofthatfrosting.

BILLY

Ithinkthat’sJamesTaylorandI’m certainthosearen’tthewords.

JOHN

Wellwhatever,itwassnowingfrom StockbridgetoBostonsoI’msorryI’m late.We’1llhavelunchinalittlebit butwhydon’tIhavesomecoffeesentup. (he’salreadygothis cellphoneopen) Denise? (backtoBILLY) We'vegotespresso,cappuccino,latte, we’vegotamachinethatmakeswhatever youwant.

BILLY

We'vegotfreesoda.

JOHN

I heardaboutthat.

(intophone)

Canyouhavesomecoffeeinthereforus?

(beat)

Thankyou.

Hesnapsthephoneshut.

ofcoffeeandexits.

JOHN

It’sherbirthdayandIneedtogethera presentbutshe’susuallytheonewho doesthatformesodo youhaveany ideas?

A scarf?

JOHN

Youmeanlikewool?

BILLY

No Imeantsomethingthatwomenwear with,youknow,adecorative--

JOHN

Sure! Excellent.

(pause)

AndwherewouldIgetsomethinglike that?

BILLY

John,nodisrespect,Ijustlostinfive forthesecondyearinarow--giveher a bowlingballforallIcare.

JOHN

SteveSchotttoldmehe’sofferingyoua newcontract.

BILLY

Yeshe is.

JOHN

So why’dyoureturnmycall?

BILLY

You'retheRedSox,andIthinkIcan helpyou.

(MORE )

BILLY(CONT'D)

IthinkIcando somethingaboutthe

BillJames.

HENRY

Whyittooksomeonesolongtohirethat guyisbeyondme.

BILLY

Becausebaseballhateshim.

HENRY

luxurytodisregardwhatbaseballthinks.

BILLY

Thatmustbenice. (beat,then) Iwasgratefultogetyourcall.

JOHNlooksatBILLYamoment...

JOHN

Youweregrateful.

BILLY

Yeah.

JOHN

For41millionyoubuiltaplayoffteam. YoulostDamon,Giambi,Isringhausenand Penaandyouwontwomoregameswithout themthanyoudidwiththem.

Andwebegina slowpush-inonBILLY...thisisthefirst personinbaseballotherthanhisassistantwhodoesn’t thinkhe’scrazy.

JOHN

Youwontheexactsamenumberofgamesas theYankeesbuttheYankeespaid1.4 milliondollarsperwinandyoupaidtwo- hundredandsixtythousand.Yes,Iwant youtobemy GeneralManager. (pause) Iknowyou’retakingitintheteeth. Thefirstguythroughawallalwaysgets

GMthatdoesn’tteardowntheirteamand rebuilditusingyourmodelisgonnabea dinosaur.

JOHN’stakenapieceofpaperoutofhispocketand slidesittoBILLY--

BILLY

What’sthis?

JOHN

My firstoffer.

BILLYopensit,looksatitforlessthanasecond,and looksbackupatJOHN...

glanceatthepaperinhishand,John’soffer,pensive...

OMITTED

Billycomesintothelockerroomandgivesitalook.

OMITTED(MOVEDTOG177)

OMITTED

standinginthedoorway.

PETER

Headsup!

BILLY

Jesus.Whatthehell--

PETER

sorry.

BILLY

Whatthehellwasthat?

PETER

I don’tknow.Sorry.

(then)

HowwasBoston?

BILLY

Impressive.

PETER

You’regivingmeYoukilis,Billy.

BILLY

WhywouldIeverdothat?

PETER

ComeonBilly,Schott’sgoingtowant somethinginexchangeforlettingyouout ofyourcontractandIwantYoukilis.

BILLY

Oh,whatisthat,yourGMvoice?You can’thavehim.

PETER

AndCash.Anda playertobenamed later.

BILLY

wantfromme?

PETER

Idon’twantyourjob.

BILLY

Whydidyoutakeit?

PETER

Youdidn’tleavememuchchoice. (then) DidHenrymakeyouagoodoffer?

BILLY

Itdoesn’tmatter.

PETER

Didhemakeyouagoodoffer?

BILLY

Itwasfine.

PETER

Whatwasit?

BILLY

Itdoesn’tmatter.

Petejuststaresathim.Finally,Billyreachesintohis pocket,takesoutthefoldedpieceofpaperandhandsit

Peterlooksatit...

PETER

Heofferedtomakeyouthehighestpaid GMinprosports.

Do IlovetheRedSox?

PETER

I don’tknow.I’veneverheardyousay youdid.

BILLY

So whyamIdoingthis?

PETER

You’renotdoingitforthemoney.

BILLY

I’mnot?

PETER

You’redoingitforwhatthemoneysays. It sayswhatitsaystoanyplayerwho getsbigmoney:thatthey’reworthit.

BILLY

redundant.

(beat)

I madeonepersonaldecisionbasedon moneyinmylifeandI sworetoneverdo thatagain.

PETER

So you’renotgoingtoBoston?

BILLY

I haven’tdecided.

PETER

It’salloverthenewsthatit’sadone deal.

BILLY

Lookatthisplace.Whatadump.

(then)

I sowantedtowinhere.

PETER

I thinkyou’vealreadywon,Billy.

BILLY

No Pete,welost.

PETER

Youhaven’tgivenyourselftimetoget overit,it’sonlybeenthreedays.

BILLY

I’mnotevenoverlastyearyet.Idon’t getoverit.

PETER

(beat) I’vegotsomethinginthevideoroom, comewithme.

BILLY

Ireallycan’tlookatvideorightnow.

PETER

No,comewithme.

OMITTED(MOVEDTOK177)

PAUL

It’snotmuchmorethanahomemoviebut you'llgettheidea.

BILLY

Whoisit?

PAUL

TheVisaliaOaksandtheir240pound catcher,JeremyBrown,who’sscaredof

sixweeksago.

poorandthecameraisfocusedonlyonJeremy.

PAUL

Thisguy’sgonnastarthimoffwitha fastballlowandinbecausehehasn’t readthebookonourguyanddoesn’tknow

takeshimtodeepcenter--

We seeJEREMYBROWNconnectandtheballflyoffthebat

slowsdownthepicturewiththeremote

PAUL

—--andheknowsthatifherunsit’sa stand-updoubleandhe’srunning.

BILLY

(quietly) Gopal.

PAUL

Andnowhe’sgonnadosomethinghenever does. He’sgonnaroundfirstbase,he’s gonnataketheturn.

BILLY

Pleasetellmehe’ssafeatsecond.

PAUL

No. Becauserighthere--

JEREMYslipsandstumblestotheground.

PAUL

-- iswhathe’salwaysbeenafraidof. It’sallhecando togethimselfbackto first.

JEREMYhasbeenscramblinginthedirttogetsafelyback tofirstbase.

BILLY

Whatisthat?

PAUL

That’sthefirstbasecoach.

BILLY

Why’shelaughing?I’mgonnafirethat guy,whythehellishe--

PAUL

Everybody’slaughing.

JEREMY’slookingaroundthefieldnow,lookingathisown dugout.Wecan’tseewhatheseesbuthe’sconfused.

PAUL

facebecausethisisart.He’sjust foundouttheballwent60feetoverthe fence.He’dhita homerunbuthedidn’t knowit.

AndJEREMY’sfaceexplodesintoasmile.Heslapshands withthefirstbasecoachandbeginshistrotaroundthe bases.

upalittlesohecanseeJeremy’sfaceagain.

BILLY

Howcananybodynotberomanticabout baseball?

PAUL

(pause) Itwasa metaph--

BILLY

Iknowitwasa metaphor.

PAUL

Thatwasahellofa baseballseason, boss.

BILLY

TheIslandofMisfitToys.Okay.

Andwiththat,Billy’smindbeginstogoelsewhere.No resolution,nodecision,otherthantogetupandwander on.

Billystopsinfrontofadoor,checkstoseeifit’s open,itisandheenters.

BillyStandsandtakesitin.

Billystandsandtakesitin.

Billystandsatareafromwhichamysterioussmellstill emanates.

Billyhauntsthefield,talkingtohimself.Eventually he standsattheplate,andhasanimaginaryatbat.

PetewatchesBillyfromthepitchtrackingmonitorashe argueswithanimaginaryumpbeforehittinganimaginary insidetheparkhomerunthatendswithaslideintohome.

Billywandersovertothepitcher’smound.Liesdown.

HisPOVofperfectsky...

BILLY’sdrivingalongandlisteningtothecontinued DRONEoftalkradiocriticism.

RADIOVOICE(V.O.)

ARCHIVALRADIOCHATTER

BILLYkeepslisteningamoment,thenreachesintheglove boxandpullsoutaCDmarked“Dad'sMix”.

immediatelysnapsoffandthemomentarysilenceissoon brokenbyCASEY’sVOICE--

CASEY(V.O.)

Hey,Dad.Ipickedthesesongsoutjust foryou.

AndthenthefirsttrackontheCDcomeson(SONGTBD).

AndBILLYsmiles.

Hecontinuesondownthefreewayintodusk,as--

trotsdowntofirst,theimagefreezes-

Legend:DavidJusticeretiredafterthe2002season, leavingbaseballwithateam-leadingon-basepercentage withmostwalks.

ScottHatteberg,lookingcomfortableontheinfielddirt finally,divesforalinedrive-freeze.

Legend:ScottHattebergplayedthreemoreseasonswith theA’s,thensignedwithCincinnatiin2006-asafirst baseman.Heretiredin2007.

handscrapesthedirt-freeze.

Legend:ChadBradfordwenttotheRedSoxin2005.In 2008,hewastradedtoTampaBaywhowentontotheWorld SerieswithapayrollevenlowerthantheA’s.

KevinYoukilis,inaRedSoxuniform,shimmiesatthe plate.Ashe laysoffballfourandtheumpirepointsto first-freeze.

Legend:BostonnevertradedtoBilly-oranyoneelse- theirGreekGodofWalks,KevinYoukilis.Hewaspartof thehistoricWorldSeriesChampionshipRedSoxof2004, andis stillwiththeclub.

Peter,inaYaleBulldogsuniform,scoopsagrounderto second.AshethrowsoutaYaleBulldog-freeze.

Legend:PeterBrandleftOaklandin2004tobecomethe GeneralManageroftheDodgers.He’snowwiththeSan DiegoPadres.

Billy-18yearsold-in hisMountCarmelHighuniform, takeshisstanceattheplatewiththesupremeconfidence

makescontact-freeze.

Legend:BillyBeaneisstilltheGeneralManagerofthe OaklandA’s.

TheColiseum’sfloodlightsswitchoffandthegreenof thegrassdarkens-

TOBLACK