Mr. Baseball (film)

Mr Baseball is a 1992 American sports comedy film about a New York Yankees player suddenly traded to the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and now has to adjust to Japanese culture.

Directed by Fred Schepisi. Written by Theo Pelletier, John Junkerman, Gary Ross, Kevin Wade, and Monte Merrick.

He's the biggest thing to hit Japan since Godzilla.taglines

Jack Elliot

• [in Japanese talking to players during a lull in training] I would like to apologize to you all. From now on, I would like to make an effort, to be a real member of the team. And between us, I'd like to build... a chopstick [Yoji signals him to speak that last one differently] ..an edge. A bridge? Build a bridge of friendship. [bows deeply to the team]

Dialogue

[Jack Elliot is flustered that the Yankees are ditching him for a rookie first baseman]

Jack Elliot: I don't believe this. I'm a World Series MVP!

Skip: That was four years ago, Jack.

Trey: You hit .235 last season.

Elliot: Last season? I led this club in 9th-inning doubles in the month of August! Screw it man, I don't wanna play where I'm not wanted here. [throws off his cap] What are my choices? I'm ready.

Skip: [clears throat] There aren't exactly choices, Jack. We only had one taker so we... took.

Trey: We called everyone, Jack, Canada...

Elliot: No, not Canada!

Skip: [as Elliot talks] It goes without saying.

Elliot: I ain't paying those taxes!

Trey: [laughs] It's not Canada.

Elliot: Not Cleveland... No! Say it's not Cleveland!

Trey: [looks at Skip] Not Cleveland.

Skip: [clears throat] We got a call from a manager in...

Elliot: What?

Skip: ...Japan.

Elliot: Japan?

Skip: Yes, the uh... chu-chey? chu?

Elliot: Hey.. Forget it!

Skip: Chunichi.

Elliot: No. I'm a Major Leaguer! There's no way I'm gonna play in Japan!

Skip: If you wanna play this season Jack, you're a Chunichi Dragon.

Elliot: A Chunichi Dragon?

---

[Jack Elliot tries to imagine a grand entrance at Nagoya Stadium]

Jack Elliot: [addresses some Japanese at the bleachers] Any of you guys speak Americano? Jack Elliot here bringing you the best in Major League thrills for the fellas, and free mustache rides for the ladies.

Woman in Orange jacket: I have seen "free mustache rides" offered on t-shirts in America. Always by guys you would not want to ride with.

Elliot: [removes hat in respect] Sorry.

---

[After the Chunichi Dragons lose to the Yomiuri Giants at home, Jack notices Uchiyama-san facing the Dragons' executive committee]

Chunichi Dragons GM Hiroshi Nakamura: He is becoming an embarrassment to us. You do not appear to have found the answer to the Giants.

Uchiyama: As usual they stand between us and the pennant. I beg your patience.

Nakamura: Our patience is running out. And your CONTRACT is running out. [the executives leave]

---

[During a Dragons away match against the Hiroshima Carp, Jack rushes the pitcher who belatedly tipped his hat after hitting him in the head.]

Max DuBois: [pulls him away] Jack, dammit he tipped his hat, it means he didn't mean it!

Jack: I don't care if he ate his GODDAMN HAT!!! I've had it!

Yoji: Jack-san, no!

Jack: Bullshit! [tries to the punch the pitcher... but Yoji is knocked out instead] Yoji!!

Max: I'm sick and tired of this shit. Haven't you heard a word I said? You're really pissing me off now! [puts down Jack] Now just take your base and get with the program!

Jack: You too, huh Max?

Max: [points at Jack] You know the one thing I didn't miss about playing in the States? It's putting up with hotshots like you. Now I don't even have that anymore! [walks off]

[at the dugout, the Dragons GM confronts Uchiyama]

Chunichi Dragons GM Hiroshi Nakamura: [coldly] Suspend Elliot indefinitely... and consider yourself out as soon as a replacement is found. You have brought dishonor to the team! [leaves]

---

[At the meal with Uchiyama-san's parents alongside Hiroko and Uchiyama-san himself, Jack notices something the grandfather said]

Jack Elliot: What did he say?

Hiroko Uchiyama: He says, "You have a hole in your swing."

Elliot: Like father, like son huh?

Uchiyama: [in English] Everybody can see it but you.

Hiroko Uchiyama: [to her father, in Japanese] Why do you always put people down? You always do! [stands up] And try to fit everybody in the same mold! [walks off]

Uchiyama: [in Japanese] Hiroko, sit down!

Hiroko: [to her father] Try a little understanding! [Jack smiles at Hiroko standing up to her father] and you, Jack... [Jack looks at the mention of his name] Grow up! [leaves]

---

[Elliot jogs up and down the homefield bleachers]

Elliot: You look thirsty, Chief. What do you say I buy ya a beer?

Uchiyama: Later! AGAIN!

Elliot: [mutters] You're no fun anymore...

Uchiyama: C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! Pick it up! Pick it up! Harder! Harder, Jack!

Ryoh Mukai: [as the other players come out on the field for practice, in Japanese] Looks like Elliot's run out of excuses.

---

[At the Concepts Graphics Design office, a colleague still sees Hiroko Uchiyama at her desk in the late afternoon and asks her why still be there on the day of the Central League championships]

Hiroko Uchiyama: [in Japanese] I'm working.

Colleague: But the game is about to start, aren't you going?

Hiroko: No... Foreigner charming, foreigner romantic... foreigner going home to America.

Colleague: [humbling] I'm so sorry. [bows]

Hiroko: No, it's ok.

Colleague: I'll see you! [leaves]

Hiroko: See you.

---

[The day after the game, Hiroko Uchiyama receives someone at the door of her apartment - it's her father]

Uchiyama-san: Can I come in? [Hiroko lets him enter; looks around] Nice place! I have come on behalf of Jack. [presses button on stereo remote; music plays but he turns off] He wants you to know... [radio continues but he turns it off] He loves you and wants to discuss the future with you, when your "jets are cool."

Hiroko Uchiyama: But he's like you, father. He will not change.

Uchiyama-san: Changes occurring all around. Perhaps you should listen first.

Hiroko: He is a foreign ball player

Uchiyama: Who you are in love with.

Hiroko: It doesn't matter.

Uchiyama-san: It does matter... More than anything, doesn't it? [offers paper bag he brought] This is for you.

Hiroko: [sees item] Very nice of him.

Uchiyama-san: It's not from him, it's from me. From now on... I want to speak to you from my heart with no holding back.

Hiroko: [slightly emotional] Father. [they embrace]

Taglines

• He's the biggest thing to hit Japan since Godzilla.
• An inspirational baseball movie.

Cast

• Tom Selleck - Jack Elliot
• Ken Takakura - Uchiyama
• Aya Takahashi - Hiroko Uchiyama
• Dennis Haysbert - Max "The Hammer" DuBois
• Toshi Shioya - Yoji Nishimura
• Toshizo Fujiwara - Ryoh Mukai, Chunichi Dragons No 2

External links

• Mr. Baseball quotes at the Internet Movie Database