The Last At Bat by David L. Elkind

This Play is the copyright of the Author and must NOT be Performed without the Author's PRIOR consent

ACT 1 - HARRY’S BAR
It’s 2021. Harry’s is a restaurant across the street from the Stadium, which opened in 1970, two years before Harry’s, which was named for Clint Eastwood’s character in the movie Dirty Harry. When it opened, the restaurant was a mecca for baseball fans and middle-aged people who yearned for a “real man’s” atmosphere – dark, with a full bar, and booths that can seat six. One look at the restaurant’s front tells you that it’s a relic, a victim of gentrification in the neighborhood, which has brought in wealthy people, many of them under 35. They like new restaurants, not ones that look to be well past their prime. The way they walk by briskly, wearing trendy clothes and not looking at Harry’s, tells you that they prefer Bun Bo Nam Bo at a Vietnamese restaurant, Pad Krapow Moo Saap at a Thai restaurant, or Quinoa with Turkey and Broccoli at a modern American restaurant to Harry’s Strip Steak, Shrimp Cocktail and Baked Potato.

Harry’s bar is scarred with age. The walls are dark wood, and some of the chairs are torn. The lighting is dark, back to the time when men came in with women who weren’t their wives. Liquor bottles are stored on the simple glass wall in the back of the bar. This is the type of throwback bar where the bartender knows what a boilermaker is, and the beers on tap have been the same since the bar opened: Budweiser, Miller, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. If you want a microbrew, go down the street. It’s the perfect location for the Cyclones to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their stirring World Series triumph over the Yankees.

Two middle-aged men stand at a corner of the bar, facing each other with beers in their hands. One man, Hugh Packman, is black. The other, Craig, “Monty” Montgomery, is white.

PACKMAN (He’s still the largest Cyclone. He’s put on a few pounds since his playing days, and his shoulders are a little stooped with age, but he still looks physically imposing. Multiple conversations are audible in the background.) In ‘96, when we won the World Series, this restaurant was considered quaint and charming, even though it was already dated. You’ll recall that many of the players came to Harry’s because it was across the street from the stadium and we got cheap drinks. I think that it’s pretty cool that we’re here celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Series victory. We’re the first two here. I don’t know if you got the email a week ago, but tomorrow we’ll be introduced to the fans before the afternoon game against the Mets.

MONTGOMERY (He still looks like the hard-charging second baseman whose wild aggressiveness made him a fan favorite and helped him get the most out of his limited talent, but the years haven’t treated his bulging waistline well.) I got the email. My uniform’s here. I asked them to give me a little more room around the waist so that I could hide the benefits of having too many fun years with nothing to worry about, but they could’ve gone a lot further than they did. So what do you think about this celebration? Have you kept up with anyone?

PACKMAN A little with Paul. No one else. There really wasn’t anyone else that I cared to hang out with. What about you?

MONTGOMERY (Has a short laugh, then looks up and shakes his head with a grimace on his face.) You’re one better than me. When I got traded out of here, I was really pissed off and decided that I wouldn’t look back. When I got the invitation, I thought about pitching it, but then I was curious about how some guys turned out. And while we’re here to celebrate our championship, I’d like to take advantage of the chance to get some things off my chest that have been bothering me since I left here. I’ll be dead honest, and say what I want to say. I’m going to speak the truth. If I can’t do that, I’ll have wasted my time coming here. Do you know who’s going to be here?

PACKMAN It’s going to be a small crew. I heard that the subs decided not to show because they were tight with Ken Craig and Hal Grayson. When those two weren’t invited because they weren’t called up from the minors until September, several subs were pissed and decided not to show. A few of the subs are still mad about how they were treated by Patterson and some of the regulars. Wilson is out preaching in South America and Santiago is with his mother in Puerto Rico, so my understanding is that we’re going to have six regulars, if Pierson shows up, and likely only two pitchers, Reynolds and Pender, plus Patterson. The bat girl, Rhonda Harris, may show up, but the last I heard, she was undecided. I have no idea whether she also has issues that she wants to raise. A lot more people are going to be at the game tomorrow, so we can look like one big happy family. I’m actually happy to be here. I’m not one for nostalgia, but winning the Series wasn’t just the highlight of my baseball career, it was one of the highlights of my life. The regulars formed the type of bond that you usually only hear about. We really had each other’s backs. We had some issues, including racial ones, but we worked together to try to solve them. I understand why you’re angry, but I hope that you can avoid turning a celebratory evening into a hostile event. There are some things that still bother me, but it’s long past time to let go of them and move forward.

MONTGOMERY I’ve got to say what I’m going to say. What happens after that will depend on how some people handle the truth. Why might Paul not show up?

PACKMAN Everyone remembers him as Good Time Paul, the life of the party, but some things really pissed him off, and I’m the only one that he’s discussed them with. I won’t tell you what his problems are, but they’re legitimate. Last I talked to Paul, he was undecided about whether to show up, but I pushed him to come. We should know soon if he’ll be here. In terms of what you plan to say, what’s your goal? What do you expect to happen?

MONTGOMERY My goal is to let people know that I’m still pIssed off by what happened to me. I don’t expect an apology. I just want people to respect how I feel. I’m happy to hear that Paul’s also pissed off, and I’m not the only one. So, what’s planned for tonight?

PACKMAN We’ll have to reintroduce ourselves when we meet here, since we’ve largely become strangers over the years. Then we’ll go to the banquet room for dinner, then relive our moment of glory. (The players soon begin arriving. The last one comes in a half hour later. Everyone is holding a drink, except for Manager Red Patterson, whose remaining hair is white, and who has a glass of water. There are a lot of smiles and handshakes and several “You look great,” “How you doing,” and “It’s been too long.” Even Montgomery joins in. There are several conversations going on at once. The men greet each other like long lost brothers, but often with only limited recognition. A couple of first names are quickly and embarrassingly exchanged. It’s clear that most of the players haven’t seen each other in many years.)

PACKMAN (Walks away from Montgomery and faces another black man who looks exceptionally fit.) I’m glad you decided to make it, Paul.

PAUL PIERSON (Not looking directly at Packman and speaking in a soft voice, talking out of the side of his mouth). Yeah, well, I was ready to ignore you, but Stacey insisted that I come. She said that a lot may have changed over 25 years. We’ll see how this goes. I’m not holding my breath. (He walks away. Pedro Munoz quickly walks up to Packman and Montgomery with a wide grin on his face. He was generously listed at 5 foot 9 when he played, with a wispy look that presaged how quick he was. Now he is stocky, but the quickness with which he moves his eyes hints at how quickly his body once moved.)
MUNOZ Hey guys, great to see you. (Packman and Montgomery casually look at Munoz. He clasps each of them hard on their shoulders. They each muster a faint smile.)

PACKMAN (With a serious look on his face) Hey Pedro, how are you? Long time no see. You look good.

MUNOZ Thanks, man. Hey, none of us are as skinny as we were, except for maybe Pierson. So what have you guys been up to? (He is about to continue, but Packman cuts him off.)

PACKMAN Hey, Pedro, hold that thought for a while. I think that Red wants us to listen to him now. Remember, he’s still the skipper, even after all of these years.

PATTERSON (Standing and facing the group. Soft music is playing, accentuated by a flute for a few seconds.) As your former manager, please let me welcome you to the 25th anniversary celebration of the Cyclones’ World Series victory over the Yankees. Many consider this team the greatest Cyclones team ever (Cheering and applause.) It’s been a long time since I’ve seen most of you, and I suspect since most of you have last seen each other. After 25 years, many of you look much different than you did then. I know that we’ve only got a small crew tonight, and you’ve had some time to mingle, but since most of you haven’t seen each other in many years, I’m going to be a little formal. Let me introduce you one at a time. Except for Ralph, please stand when I call your name and tell us what you’ve been up to. I’ve been living in Baltimore since my retirement. It’s great that the most pressure that I face in a day is to get a tee time for our foursome. I want to introduce each of you in the same batting order that the team used in the World Series. I’m going to state some players’ stats for 1996. Batting first, with a 306 average, 20 home runs, 70 RBI’s, and 30 stolen bases, left fielder Paul Pierson, who looks like he could suit up tomorrow.
(Mild applause.)
PIERSON Thanks for the compliment, Red. I do exercise every day, but if you want to see me hit well, I’d need pitches in the low 60’s. Anything over 75 miles per hour and I’d be toast. I’d be lucky to hear a 95 mile per hour fastball now. There’s no chance that I could touch it. I’m an insurance salesman in Waco, Texas. I’ve been salesman of the year four times in the last 15 years. I’ve been married to the same woman, Denice, since I played here, and I have two grown children.

PATTTERSON Batting second, old blood and guts, second baseman “Monty” Montgomery. Monty had his best year in ’96, with a 285 batting average and 15 home runs, both career highs, and he hustled every day. He also won the Gold Glove award because he committed only 12 errors all year.
(Stronger applause.)
MONTGOMERY It’s great to be back here and see all of the guys. This is only my third time back since I retired in 1999. I want to thank Red for not saying anything about my physique. Let’s just say beer and hamburger and no exercise haven’t suited me well. I’m an assistant bank manager in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If anyone needs a loan, come see me. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll do my best to get you approved at the lowest rate that we give our largest customers. I had four children with my first two wives, and have been married to number three for five years. It’s still early, but she may be a keeper. (Facing the audience.) I don’t know if it’ so great to be back. It is good to see some of the guys, but I’m still pissed off. I thought of saying something now, but it’s just not the time. Maybe later. We’ll just have to see how it goes. (Turns back to his teammates.)

PATTERSON Okay, now we have a man who needs no introduction. The National League MVP, who hit 328 with 45 home runs and 118 RBI’s. He did even better in the World Series, batting 400 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI’s, and became the Series MVP. Some say he’s the greatest player in Cyclone history, which is why his statue is out from of the stadium. As good a ballplayer as he was, he is a better person. You can see that he’s caught a bad break, but we’re thrilled that he’s here. Gentlemen, I give you your captain, Ralph Dolby.
(Prolonged standing ovation with loud cheers and sustained applause. Everyone stops clapping only when Dolby waves them to sit down.).
DOLBY (In a wheelchair, speaking with a slightly slurred voice.). Thank you, Red. I should have hired you as my PR man (Laughter.). Gentlemen, it’s great to see everyone. I’m thrilled that you made it and feel lucky to be here. I had a wonderful 18 year career, but the year we won everything was the best. The best bunch of guys I ever played with. A team that wouldn’t give up, even when the Reds were ahead of us by eight runs in June, even when the Yankees had us three games to one in the Series. I never thought we would lose, and we rarely did. As you can see, I’ve had a bad break. I’ve had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, which killed Lou Gehrig, for three years. If we had this event next year, I doubt I’d be around to attend it. Please don’t spend the night feeling sorry for me. I’ve had a good life, a wonderful wife and two daughters. I’ve enjoyed living in San Diego most of my life. I would have liked a few more years, but God gave me a bad hand that I‘ve had to play. Nonetheless, I’m at peace with everything and it wouldn’t do me good to have any regrets. So please have a good time. I look forward to chatting with each of you. I’ll always treasure all of you. Thanks and God bless (Another prolonged standing ovation, this time accompanied by some war whoops.).

PATTERSON The next two hitters aren’t hear tonight. The cleanup hitter was Roberto Santiago, a third baseman who hit for a modest average, 260, but was a regular home run threat who won many games for the Cyclones and hit 34 homers in 1996. He almost died of a heart attack three years ago, but appears to be in better health now. He’s in Puerto Rico now tending to his mother. Pete Wilson, who was the center fielder, was a fair, 275 hitter with modest power, but had great speed and stole 40 bases. He was an excellent fielder with a powerful arm. He was deeply religious and now is a minister in his native Ohio. He’s out somewhere in South America preaching.
Maury Lenten, the right fielder, was equally skilled at every aspect of the game. He was a truly balanced player, 270 batting average, with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. He’s done well as a financial advisor in Long Island, where he lives.

LENTEN Does saying that I was a balanced player mean that I sucked at everything? (Laughter.)

PATTERSON I probably shouldn’t respond to that. (Everyone laughs, including Lenten.)

LENTEN Life’s been good to me I’m one of the people that made more money after I retired than while I was playing. Part of that is because I’ve applied some of the discipline that I learned playing baseball to financial advising. I’m always prepared. I’m aware of the present and think about the future at the same time. I only take risks when I’m confident that they will work, and I rely on people that work with me – my new teammates – to help me out.

MONTGOMERY (Whispering to Pierson.) Red didn’t mention that Santiago has an even bigger stomach than mine that hangs over his pants now, or that he was fleeced of $400,000 a few years ago by a close friend. I always felt bad for Maury as the only Jew on the team. I liked him, but I think that he felt that he was never fully accepted by the players.

PIERSON (Not wanting to engage.) Yeah, well.

PATTERSON Hugh Packman was our big man at catcher. He had many skills, but the pitchers loved him most because he called a great game and played solid defense. With his size and strength, when he blocked the plate, the baserunner trying to score had little chance.

PACKMAN I’m a little fatter and weaker than I was, but I can still take care of myself. That helps because I own a couple of high end bars, the kind where well-dressed bouncers decide who they’ll let in. Occasionally, someone has too much to drink and misbehaves, and I have to escort him out before he wants to leave, so it’s good that I can still bring it when I have to.

PATTERSON Pedro Munoz was a great fielder who had a slightly tougher time at the plate, except when it counted (Laughter.). He was smart and very thoughtful. He has long been the athletic director at a high school in suburban Philadelphia (Mild applause.)