Sugar Page #5

and your emotions got the best of you.

The true test of our character as athletes

is how we come back.

So it's up to you.

Hey, Hardy, don't you wander off.

I want to talk to you about that accountant.

So...

Well, anyway,

I'm putting Sal in your slot in the rotation.

I'm gonna... Well, I'd like to see

how you handle a relief spot.

Game time is 7:
05.

The first 3,000 people

in attendance that night

will receive a free beer mug,

courtesy of our friends at Harlow's.

I'm sorry. The number you have reached

is no longer in service.

Check the number and try your call again.

Honey, you don't have to do that.

No problem. I want to help.

Thank you, Miguel.

Thank you, Helen.

You know,

your English is very good now, Miguel.

You, too.

Thank you.

What's up, Sugar?

I forgot something in the clubhouse.

I'll be right back.

Here, I'll load your bag.

Where's he going?

The bathroom.

This is 161st Street, Yankee Stadium.

Talk to me.

Is Jorge working today?

Jorge?

Jorge Ramirez.

Jorge, the baseball player.

Oh, the baseball player.

He left about two weeks ago.

I think he drives a car now.

Do you have his number?

His old number isn't working.

No, sorry.

But I think he was staying

with some people...

up in Concourse Village.

Around 156th Street.

Sometimes he still comes by to eat.

One room.

For how long?

I don't know.

$300 a week, one week in advance.

$300. Now.

This also, please.

Are you the owner here?

Yes. How can I help you?

I like your work.

Thanks.

What are you looking for?

Oh, no. I mean... I don't know.

I was passing by...

And I thought you might need help.

I know how to make furniture and...

No, I don't need anyone.

I'm not looking now.

Okay.

-Thanks for your time.

-No problem.

Carpenter and assistant.

and driver's license necessary.

What's going on?

Frank called last night.

Where are you?

I'm in New York.

Oh, my God.

What are you doing in New York?

I don't understand.

Your team's looking for you.

I can't play anymore.

Are you hurt?

What do you mean you can't play?

No, I'm fine. It's just...

We've been working for this

your whole life, Miguelito.

My God!

When you're so close.

Don't worry, Mom.

I have some money.

Everything will be all right.

You have to go back.

Listen to me, my sweet Sugar.

Call Frank.

They'll take you back.

I can't go back.

Did I raise you like this?

Did I raise you to give up?

I didn't give up. I...

I'm starting something new here.

Miguel, where are you staying?

Miguel!

Listen, Mom, I have to go.

The card's almost out of minutes.

Miguel, listen to me, please.

Don't worry.

I'm staying with a friend.

I have a job. Everything's all right.

I'll send money tomorrow.

Listen to me.

You have to go back.

I love you. I'm sorry.

I was here the other day.

Did you find your friend?

No... Actually,

I'm looking for a job.

Fernando!

Tell him you like his shirt.

When you have them here...

you just have to make sure

you get all the scraps off.

Because the machine

won't wash that off.

A little splash of water...

You raise this up here...

put them inside.

And that's it.

How long have you been

working here?

Two years.

Do you have family here?

No. My wife and kids are in Mexico.

My family is in the Dominican.

-Remember me?

-Yes.

But sorry,

I still don't have a job for you.

That's okay. I already found one.

Actually,

I'm trying to make a table...

And I'd like to buy

some wood and supplies.

I don't really sell raw materials.

I just moved here...

and I don't have a space to work.

So I was wondering if...

If I could use your workshop.

I could work for you in exchange.

Help you clean up...

Whatever you need.

You don't have to pay me.

Somebody paying you for the table?

No. It's a gift for my mom.

Something I like to do.

How old are you?

Twenty.

Who taught you to make tables?

My dad.

He was a carpenter in San Pedro.

I've got a few guys

from there working here.

I'm Puerto Rican.

What are you doing in New York?

I came to work.

I used to play baseball.

The whole world plays baseball.

My son's sixteen.

Won't touch a piece of wood

that's not a baseball bat.

I never cared for the game, myself.

Too slow.

Your mom still in San Pedro?

Yeah. With my sister and brother.

So, let's see...

You're telling me that you want

to make a table for your mom...

then mail it back to her

in the Dominican Republic?

Yes.

What's your name?

Miguel.

Osvaldo.

Is Sofia there?

Yes, it's Miguel again.

Could you tell her...

Just tell her I called.

So you never liked baseball?

Not even as a kid?

Sometimes during the play-offs

I'll watch a game or two.

Who's your favorite player?

I don't know enough

to have a favorite.

C'mon, everybody has

a favorite player.

Fine.

Jose Canseco.

That's the best you can do?

It's all the same to me.

What about you?

Roberto Clemente.

What do you know about Clemente?

I read something where he said...

"lf you have the opportunity...

"to help someone, and you don't,

then you're wasting your life."

Besides...

He was a carpenter, too.

Get out of here.

For real. He used to make furniture

during the off-season.

Are you messing with me?

Because you know

I can google this fool right now.

-Google?

-Yeah, the lnternet.

Don't worry. I'll teach you someday.

When did you get released?

I didn't get released.

I left a few weeks

before the season ended.

You left?

When was that?

About two weeks ago.

Who are you staying with?

Oh, you know, with a friend.

But if you know somebody

who needs a roommate...

Why'd you leave?

Do you have any family here?

But I'm okay.

I have some money saved,

a couple friends.

I'll go home to visit soon.

Pay for one night, $75. Hey, amigo.

You owe money.

-A whole week?

-I know, I have tomorrow.

-No problem.

-Yes, problem.

You don't have it by tomorrow,

you have a big problem.

Frank... it's Miguel.

My God, Miguel.

What the hell happened?

Sorry for calling late.

I'm in New York.

I heard. You're making me look bad.

What the hell are you doing there?

I got a job, but...

I don't know if I'm going to stay.

Where you gonna go?

The season's over.

Your visa's expired.

I know, but...

I thought maybe I could...

I can talk to Alvarez.

But I don't know what to tell you.

They're not happy about this.

I know.

I'm sorry.

Hey, look who's here.

Well, down to work.

I've got nowhere to go.

So, Miguel...

I did some research,

and now I've got a favorite player.

Who is it, then?

Vic Power. You know him?

You ought to.

One of the best first basemen ever.

He was Puerto Rican.

But that's not why he's my favorite.

When he first arrived in the States,

around '51, '52...

he was playing in the minors.

Little Rock, Arkansas.

And he stopped

into this diner for lunch.

Now, Vic knew very little English.

Didn't even notice the sign

hanging in the window that said...

"Whites only."

And Vic was black.

I mean black like you.

So what happens?

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