It’s the last day of winter break for Yankees position players and emotions are running high. With Spring Training just around the corner, we check in with the Yankees as they say goodbye to friends and loved ones before making the big trip to Florida.
EXT. MIAMI PENTHOUSE – NIGHT
Giancarlo Stanton stands on his back veranda overlooking the water. His possessions are boxed up just inside the sliding glass doors of his three-story penthouse. He holds a phone to his ear.
GIANCARLO
Hi Derek… Yeah, big day tomorrow. Thanks again for trading me to a way better team, I really appreciate it…. I just wanted to call because I was wondering: do you think they’ll like me there? Ha, I know, it’s kind of silly, I’ve just heard New Yorkers can be a little mean. Like, AJ and I are looking for an apartment and the realtor was a 24-year-old who insulted my outfit, told me I couldn’t afford to live in Williamsburg, and then demanded that I read her screenplay. It’s all just a little overwhelming. …You think so? … So if I hit 60 home runs they’ll only hate me some of the time? Thanks man, I really appreciate your help. Good luck this year man, and tell Mattingly I’m praying for him.
INT. WORKOUT ROOM – DAY
Aaron Hicks approaches DAVE the personal trainer. Hicks keeps his coat on, nervously wringing a baseball cap in his hands.
DAVE
Aaron! You’re late buddy, get changed, it’s time to work out.
AARON
Hey Dave, I’m not going to be working out today.
DAVE
Wha- what do you mean? Is everything OK?
AARON
Dave, I’m leaving tomorrow. This winter has been fun, I’ve really loved working out here, and your training has been amazing… but I have to go away to Spring Training.
DAVE
But… I thought we had something special here. Me spotting you, telling you what workouts to do, didn’t that mean anything?
AARON
Of course it meant something! But we both knew this couldn’t go on forever. I’m a professional baseball player, you work at this gym, it was never going to last.
DAVE
I could come with you!
AARON
Dave, don’t do that. Don’t make this harder than it is.
DAVE
…You’re right. I’m sure there are a million trainers with the Yankees. I want you to go off to Spring Training and have all the experiences you’re supposed to have. I just… I don’t want you to forget about me.
AARON
I won’t Dave. I promise.
Aaron walks toward the door, pushes it open and pasues. He looks back at Dave, dons his cap, gives a small nod, and walks out into the bright February sunshine.
INT. ELLSBURY RESIDENCE – DAY
Jacoby fastens the locks on his hard-shell suitcase, puts on a light sweater to prepare for the weather outside of Arizona, and turns to his wife, KELSEY.
JACOBY
It’s been a hard winter of training and I haven’t read the news
in three months. What team am I off to play for this year, honey?
KELSEY
Back to the Yankees again my dear.
JACOBY
…the Yankees? You’re sure?
KELSEY
That’s right.
JACOBY
Are you positive Dale didn’t deliver last year’s paper? I’m quite certain they would have traded me by now.
KELSEY
I checked the date twice.
JACOBY
Yeesh. Well, at least that means there’s probably plenty of room in the outfield for me to get my stroke back.
KELSEY
…Uh… yeah. Yeah, you’ll do great my love.
INT. TRENDY CLOTHING STORE – DAY
Didi Gregorius peruses the aisles of a high-end fashion store. MARY, an employee at the store approaches.
MARY
Are you looking for anything in particular today?
DIDI
Yeah, I’m looking for an outfit that says “I just had the best year of my career and it wasn’t a fluke but also I’m not trying to be Derek Jeter” but at the same time says “Brett Gardner you could never look this good.” Do you have anything like that?
MARY
Hmmmm, I think I have a few ideas.
Montage: “Walking On Sunshine” plays as Didi tries on various outfits. He tries on one outfit with tight pants and an overly puffy shirt, Mary makes a face that says “not quite.” Didi tries on bell bottoms and a shirt from the 70s, Mary shakes her head “no way.”
Didi emerges from the dressing room wearing jeans and a normal-looking button up shirt. Mary nods her head as if to say “just right.” Didi gives a big thumbs up.
INT. FRAT HOUSE – MORNING
John Sterling wakes up on the floor. Beer cans, solo cups and pizza boxes are strewn amongst many bodies asleep on various surfaces. All of the passed out partiers are over the age of 70.
John wipes the sleep from his eyes and fumbles on the table looking for a beer can with liquid left in it. He finds one, takes a swig, and picks up his phone. The phone is dead.
JOHN
Damnit. Pssst, Ricky I gotta borrow your phone to call an Uber.
Ricky mumbles in his sleep.
JOHN
Come to think of it I need your passport too. I bought the plane tickets in your name cuz they won’t let me fly anymore.
John fishes around in the pockets of Ricky’s leather jacket, keeps the wallet and phone but tosses the keys onto Ricky’s sleeping body.
JOHN
I owe ya.
John rushes out of the house.
INT. JUDGE FAMILY DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Aaron sits at the table eating dinner with his parents, PATTY and WAYNE. The dining room is elegantly furnished, candles are lit upon the table. The family quietly eats their meals.
AARON
Thank you for having me over for this lovely meal. The chicken is delicious.
PATTY
Of course sweety. Oh, Doreen asked after you. I told her you were doing well and having fun playing baseball.
AARON
That’s very sweet of her to ask. I shall have to send her a postcard as soon as I arrive in Florida.
Beat. Everyone chews with their mouths closed.
WAYNE
The mailman delivered my package to the wrong house.
PATTY
That’s a shame! You were hoping to give those books to the children this week, right?
WAYNE
Yes, it is a nuisance, but not one to make a fuss over. Everyone makes mistakes.
More quiet eating.
PATTY
Are you all packed for your big trip?
AARON
Have been since this morning. And this time I didn’t forget my toothbrush!
The Judge family shares a hearty laugh as the camera pulls out, out the window of the dining room and up, as we see their quaint home from above with the sun setting on the California horizon.
The sound of laughter mixes with soft sound of a piano as we fade to black.