Angels in the Outfield
1994
JP: You used to be Mel Clark? Mel Clark: Yeah! I used to be.
(Upon taking a picture with George Knox and Roger) Photographer: It looks like a prison photo.
George Knox: We don't think as a team. We don't play as a team. WE CANT EVEN LOSE AS A TEAM.
George Knox: Any loss is hard.
Ranch Wilder: But this one really got to you. You leave Cincinnati after ten years of winning ball clubs - although the really big one always seemed to be just out of reach - and you come out here to manage our Angels. Now, expectations were high that you could turn this team around. But that just doesn't seem to be happening.
George Knox: You oughtta know how one incident can change the course of events.
Ranch Wilder: Well, you know, you play the game. You take your chances. Sometimes, you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time. George Knox: Yeah, you're an expert at that. Ranch Wilder: I could say the same about you. George Knox: Well, actions speak louder than words.
Roger Bomman: Dad, when do you think we'll get to be a family again? Mr Bomman: I'd say when the Angels win the pennant.
Roger Bomman: God, if there is a God, if you're a man or a woman, if you're listening, I'd really, really like a family. My dad says that will only happen if the Angels win the pennant. The baseball team, I mean. So, maybe you can help them win a little. Amen. Oh, A-woman, too.
Mel Clark: I've got nothing left. George Knox: Yeah, you do. You've got one strike left. (turns to dugout) Roger Bomman: (walks out of dugout, flapping his arms like angel's wings) George Knox: You've got an angel with you right now... just got here, and he's going to help. Mel Clark: The kid sees an angel? George Knox: Yeah, he must. That's the signal. Crowd at the game: (gradually all stand and flap their arms in a similar manner) George Knox: (moved by seeing the crowd) It could happen. Mel Clark: Okay. George Knox: (laughs) Go get 'em for the championship!
Maggie Nelson: (stands) Um, excuse me. I'd like to say something on behalf of George Knox. Hank Murphy: What's your name? What's your business here? Maggie Nelson: My name is Maggie Nelson. I take care of foster kids. One of these boys is the child who can see angels. He could stand up right now and tell you what's going on and I'd know you'd just laugh at him. But, when a professional football player drops to one knee to thank God for making a touchdown, nobody laughs at that. Or when a pitcher crosses himself before going to the mound, no one laughs at that either. It's like your saying it's okay to believe in God, but it's not okay to believe in angels. Now, I thought that they were on the same team. Hank Murphy: Is it your belief, ma'am, that angels play baseball? Maggie Nelson: Since the all-star break, yes. We all need someone to believe in. Every child I have ever looked after has someone: an angel. You've got to have faith. You've got to believe. You have to look inside yourself. The footprints of an angel are love, and where there is love, miraculous things can happen. I've seen it. (sits) Mel Clark: (stands) I'd also like to say something. I don't know if there are any angels here other than the twenty-five of us in uniform. But I know there is one thing I won't do: I won't play for anyone but George Knox. I believe in him. Triscuitt Messmer: (stands) That goes for me, too. Rest of Angels baseball team, Roger, & J.P.: (stands and nods in agreement) George Knox: Thank you. All of you.
George Knox: You can't go through life thinking that everyone will one day let you down.
Al the Boss Angel: No one can see me or hear me but you!
George Knox: There's a thing, called talent, THEY DON'T HAVE IT!
(Finishing a prayer) Roger Bomman: Amen. Oh... and A-woman, too.
George Knox: Gimme the ball. Frank Gates: It ain't my fault. You need a new outfield! George Knox: (yelling) You're outta here! Gimme the ball! Frank Gates: You want the ball? Here you go, go get it. Want my glove? Go get it. (Gates and Knox fight) George Knox: Get outta here! You're finished, Gates! You're washed up! You'll never pitch again!
George Knox: You blew your arm out, played on too many pain pills. Mel Clark: Pain pills? You were the one stuffin' them down my throat five years ago in Cincinnati. George Knox: Hey, it was your decision to swallow 'em!
Mapel: It's a big bummer no matter who we play. We give the game away 'cause we can't win. That would be a sin. We even lose the games before they begin. George Knox: Save it, Mapel!
Danny Hemmerling: I guess no matter how many times you hear that song played in a Major League stadium, on a warm afternoon, it's still emotionally evocative. George Knox: Drop dead. I got sunscreen in my eye.
(the players are touching a post as they walk into the locker room) Frank Gaits: Why do you idiots do that after you've lost? Ray Mitchell: It's for good luck, man. Danny Hemmerling: After 15 straight losses, I say we find something else to rub. Pablo Garcia: How about Triscuitt's head? Triscuitt Messmer: Don't even think about touching me anywhere. Jose Martinez: Fatty pants. Whitt Bass: You know, maybe we should do this before we lose.
Ranch Wilder: Whit Bass takes the mound his oddball antics are now well known to the fans. Wally: That's right Ranch. This season alone we've seen him lick dirt, eat bugs and floss his catcher's teeth in the dugout. Ranch Wilder: None of that I might add seems to have helped his pitching. He's 2-11.
Ranch Wilder: League rules specify that up until the first pitch is thrown the team roster can be altered although I don't ever remembering this happen so close to game time. Wally: Neither can I. Ranch Wilder: (Turns off both mics) Easy Wally, less is more.
Hank Murphy: Ranch, you're fired. Ranch Wilder: You can't fire me! I've got a contract! I'M RANCH WILDER! Wally: Easy Ranch, less is more.
Ranch Wilder: I'm checking to see if Dan Prince pulled a muscle during his warmup tosses. There has to be some reason why Knox would make such a radical change. I have personally checked the stats sports fans and it says that Mel Clark has not started a game in this decade.
Al the Boss Angel: Even though you can't see us we're always watching.
Hank Murphy: Are you feeling better today? George Knox: Why would I be feeling better? Hank Murphy: Commissioner's fined you $5,000 for you jumping Gates. And word has it Ranch is pressing civil charges for you popping him. George Knox: You know I have felt better since I slugged Wilder. Hank Murphy: Your pistol's smoking pal. George Knox: I hadn't made the connection. Hank Murphy: I know you two have been at each others throats for a while. George Knox: We've been at each others throats since he spiked my knee and ruined my career. Hank Murphy: Accidents happen George. George Knox: No, It's not an accident. When you slide into a catcher with your nails up, it's on purpose.
George Knox: I want you all here at 9 am tomorrow cause we're all going to work on fundamentals Whitt Bass: Well doesn't the game start at 1? George Knox: Yeah it does start at 1 and you're a jack-ass Whitt Bass: Oh no, i'm a pitcher Jose Martinez: Well you're a pitcher and a jack-ass
George Knox: You can't go through life thinking everyone you need will one day let you down.