Bottom of the 9th

Yo, Stano. These guys don't mess around, papi chulo.

Unless you got protection, you'll be they blow-up doll.

You still need somebody?

Come on, baby! Come on.

Come on, Stano!

Aw, man!

Yo! Come on, man. You kidding me?

- Yo, what's that? - That's not right, man.

That ain't right.

Come on. Get up.

- Come on. Get up, Sonny. - Good eye, Sonny.

Big swing. Big swing, Sonny.

Take it on, Sonny. Let's go. Big swing.

Come on, Sonny.

Nobody makes me their fucking bitch!

Stano!

Sonny?

- Hi, Eugene. - My God.

It is so good to see you.

I couldn't tell by your letter

whether it was this week or next week you were coming home.

Today. I got out today.

How are you? You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Thanks.

- You? - Good.

You, um...

- Do you have the keys? - Of course.

Here you go.

Thanks.

You know, your mother wanted so much to stay alive for this day.

It's such a shame she didn't make it.

Well, if you need anything, just knock.

Thanks.

Hi, Mrs. Murphy?

It's me, Sonny Stano.

Now, I hope it's okay that I'm here.

For the past 17 years...

I just wanted to tell you how much that I wish that night never happened.

I wrote you all these letters, and they were all returned...

How dare you show your face here.

No, Mrs. Murphy, please. I just got out.

And all I wanted to do was come here and tell you how sorry I am for every...

Any injuries prior to your release?

- No. - Okay.

Any, uh, use of drugs or alcohol in the last 72 hours?

No.

Uh, any contact with an officer of the law since your release?

- Um... No. - Good.

Okay, so here are the rules. You break one, you go back in.

No staying out past 10:00. No leaving the state. No drugs.

You pee in a cup for me every time you come and see me as a friendly offering.

You pray like hell it comes back clean.

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh...

Oh. Major league contract and you blew it, huh?

Asshole.

Oh. Tomorrow you start work at the fish store.

Yeah, about that. I, uh...

I was hoping maybe I could have a little time

- to find something better. - Better?

No. The parole deal is for the fish store. What are you talking about?

I just thought that maybe I...

I could find something in management.

Really? Management?

What are you gonna manage? A hotel?

A car dealership? Or maybe a three-star restaurant?

You couldn't manage a bodega.

You barely have a high school diploma.

You have absolutely no skills to offer

into a workforce that's already overcrowded.

Be glad your friend with the fish store stuck his neck out for you.

Second chances are hard to come by.

You know the kid whose life you took?

He sure as hell isn't getting one.

Be grateful you are.

Now go pee in the cup.

I'm looking for Joey Costenza.

- The boss? - Yeah.

- His office is right there. - Thanks.

Oh.

There he is. Man, look at you.

You look great, you son of a bitch.

Hey, you don't look so bad yourself.

Thanks. I mean, ain't got nothing on you. Never did, right?

Man. It's good... It's good to see you.

Good to see you out, Sonny.

I mean, out here and... free.

Thanks for writing the letter to the parole board.

No, I'm, I'm not kidding, man. It meant everything.

If it wasn't for that, I don't think I'd be out right now.

Don't worry about it. We'll help you get on your feet.

You have to start from the bottom,

but the guys on the dock will show you the ropes.

You got any of that, uh, signing bonus money left? No?

Nah, it all went to the kid's family, to the lawyer.

Yeah, right. Right.

Oh. Check this out.

Paid 1,500 for this Rod Carew bat.

Go ahead. Give it a swing.

- Nah... - Go ahead. I don't give a shit.

Nah, it's okay.

No?

All right.

Hey. I'm gonna sponsor a summer league.

You wanna play?

- I don't know. - The Surf Club paid COD, Joey.

- Half check, half cash. - All right. That's good.

Very good. You stop by my place, take the trash out of the garage?

- Yeah, it's all done. All done. - All right. Good.

Hey, this is Sonny. Good friend of mine. Just got outta jail.

Oh. Congratulations.

We grew up together. Used to play ball together. Little league, high school.

This guy's got ice in his veins when he's up at bat.

Yeah.

You were king once. Remember, Sonny?

Yeah.

What do you want? You're hanging around. I see the face.

Look, I know I said that I can work on Sunday.

But I forgot, Joey, that it's my daughter's birthday,

and it's... they said it's gonna rain on Saturday.

- So I just wanted... - Wait, wait, wait.

I gotta clear out my attic. I just got the dumpster delivered.

I understand. It's just this one time, Joey.

No. I'm gonna give you more days.

Wanna know why? He's gonna be my new swing guy.

- Give him the keys. - Wait, you're firing me?

Yeah, I'm firing you. Give him the keys, Bobby.

Know what, Joey? Why don't you go fuck yourself.

- Whoa. - Nice. Very nice.

- That's why you're fired. - Yeah.

- It's not 'cause of me, is it? - Don't worry about him.

Here, Sonny. You're my new swing guy. All right?

So you do half days loading the dock,

half days, you know, do some personal stuff for me.

This'll be good, man. It'll be like old times. Me and you.

Get to hang out. Good to see you.

- All right. - Yeah.

Thanks, man.

Shit.

I'm sorry.

That's $26.40.

- How much you said it was? - $26.40.

- Can I put some of it back? - What do you wanna put back?

I don't know, like six dollars' worth.

How much is the coffee?

Uh, um... $5.65.

- How about the lettuce? - Two dollars.

What about the tomatoes?

Rosita, it's okay. Put it with my stuff.

Hi, Sonny.

Hi.

No. No, no, no. No, no. I'll put it back.

- No, no. It's okay. It's okay. - No, I...

Thanks for bailing me out back there.

- I'll pay you back. - No, it's fine.

- Will you let me carry your bag? - My God. It's okay.

It's good to see you.

It's good to see you too.

How long since you've been back home?

Just a couple weeks. Still trying to get my bearings.

You'll get it. You just need time, I guess.

You look great.

How you been?

I've been great.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

Sorry about the smell. I'm working for Joey Fish now.

Just temporary till I can line something else up.

- You work around here? - Yeah.

I teach Spanish at Columbus.

Wow.

You mean, you're, like, Señora Ramirez now? I mean, to the kids?

If they know what is good for them.

I'm that way.

Good luck, Sonny.

Angela.

I just want you to know how sorry I am.

About everything. About hurting you.

You gotta understand. It wasn't that I didn't want to see you anymore.

I just wanted you to move on.

I did.

Hello? Um... No, no, no, baby. I didn't forget.

Okay. Yeah. Pick the movie.

Yeah. Be there soon. No.

No, not that one, please!

Okay.

All she wants to do is watch High School Musical.

How old is she?

She's ten.

You got any more?

No, just one. The best one.

Bye, Sonny. Good luck with everything.

Hey, kid.

What? I gained that much weight?

You don't know who the hell I am?

What do you want?

I heard you was home.

I wanted to come by and say hello.

Ah, heard about your mom. I'm sorry.

Still coaching?

Yep. Thirty years in the minors. At least it's with the Yankees.

If you're gonna get stuck on the farm, they're the ones to get stuck with.