Extra Innings (The Twilight Zone)

"Extra Innings" is the thirty-seventh episode and the second episode of the third season (1988–89) of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Opening narration[]

It's been said that the body is the means through which an athlete can best reveal the dynamic potential of the human spirit. But what happens when the means to that expression is injured beyond repair? Meet Ed Hamner, a once prominent player in the big leagues. A man who has never resolved himself to his fate as a non-participant, but who will soon be forced to bat...in the Twilight Zone.

Plot[]

A down-and-out, injured baseball player named Ed Hamner tries to juggle his love for baseball and time with his wife Cindy, who insists he needs to get on with his life. Moreover, his teenage neighbor Paula shows her adoration for him by encouraging his baseball card collection and her potential as a player herself. Paula finds an old baseball card of a player from the early days named Monte Hanks, who happens to resemble Ed. After a fight with Cindy about a missed job interview and a victorious game for Paula, Ed goes to sleep and awakens to discover the card magically opening a door. Ed stumbles through the doorway to find himself in the uniform of Monte Hanks. He no longer has an injury and he is ready to play baseball.

When Paula shows up the next day, Ed explains all that happened: that he went back in time 78 years and played ball without the use of his cane. Paula is skeptical until she sees the back of the card which reveals more home runs (hit by Hamner) than were there the day before. Still skeptical, Paula agrees to try to go with him. As they stare into the card, it envelops them and they go to the ball field in the past. After returning to the present, Paula leaves both excited about another game tomorrow and for Ed to play in the World Series. An uncomfortable dinner with Cindy that evening leaves Ed wanting to migrate to the other life even more.

Paula comes over sad because she cannot go to the game with him today, but wonders whether or not Ed belongs back in 1910. He seems so much happier there. At the game, Ed (as Monte) is playing late much later than the dinner he is supposed to attend with Cindy. Cindy arrives at the empty house but is upset that Ed is gone so she burns his card collection. Paula comes in just in time to save the magical card with Monte Hanks on it. Paula realizes she can help Ed have the life he truly wants. She tears the card in half leaving Ed in 1910. At home, she later looks at the torn card, which magically begins to fill itself with statistics. Ed went on to be a great Monte Hanks, a batting champion and happily played baseball for many years.

Closing narration[]

Ed Hamner. Monte Hanks. To some, a mere face on a trading card. But to a special friend, he's an eternal boy of summer. An athlete who found himself drafted by a unique team, in a league that plays its games...in the Twilight Zone.

External links[]

• "Extra Innings" at IMDb