Tonight is the night. Ichiro Suzuki, just two hits away
from breaking the Major League hits-in-a-season record.
This record's set by George Sisler 84 years ago,
and you can bet that all eyes will be on Ichiro tonight.
He has only three games left to break the record.
Hey, Mom, listen to this.
To scare off predators, starlings fly all together in a big group.
It's called "murmuration."
Starlings, that's cool. We gotta go. Eat.
Eat, eat!
It looks certain that he's gonna break the record.
It's crazy! He started off-- He was only hitting 255.
That's 73 points below his career average.
There she is. Happy birthday.
Have you told your mom "happy birthday" yet?
-I made her a card. It's on the fridge. -That's good. Nice job.
Honey, I've got wall-to-wall showings in Westerville today.
I'm so sorry to ask this, but can you pick up your cake on your way home from work?
-Here's your lunch. -Thank you.
Okay.
Honey, can you pick up your birthday cake?
-Yeah, I got it. -Okay.
Mom, which record is he breaking again?
The most hits in a season.
Hey! Hey.
Hey.
-Dollar in the shoe jar. -Oh, come on. I tiptoed.
-That's, like, half the surface area. -No.
-Dollar in the shoe jar. -I love you. Happy birthday.
Tiptoe discount!
Bye.
Can't believe we're having this discussion.
This is not just any player, this is a player from Japan.
I think his hits record is a bigger accomplishment--
Who cares if he's from Japan. The home run record--
Hey.
I told your husband
no woman wants to see her age on a cake.
It's even more depressing in blue icing.
Well, if you want to escape tonight,
you can sneak out for sake with me.
Thank you, but…
Tonight's Ichiro's game.
I'll call you later.
Five, six, seven, eight!
It's your birthday And the Dyers know
We hope it's a good year
Oh, stick with us and make no mistake
You'll have fun Now, where's the cake?
Where's the cake?
Okay, make a wish!
Come on. Blow out the candles, sweetie.
No, one more. There!
-Happy birthday! -Happy birthday!
Okay, bring it over here. Let's cut this up.
-Here it comes. -Wow! That's a--
Oh, you guys.
Guys! Guys, guess who I ran into at Frank's.
-Ms. Shepard. -No!
-I know! -Mrs. Shepard?
-She's retiring. -Wow.
-Retiring? -Yes.
She was, like, 80 when I did Guys and Dolls.
He had a crush on Janna Montefusco.
And the music moved me.
Do you remember how bad Charlie Lutz was?
Oh, my God. I haven't thought about Charlie Lutz in forever.
Chuck Lutz, wow.
-Chuck Lutz. -What's happening with him?
I just heard his older sister is moving to Cleveland.
-What was her name again? -Oh, my God.
It's Susannah.
Susannah!
-Well, what about you? -I want one.
Well, then that one's for you. Right there.
Guys, thank you.
Thank you for the cake. I love it. I love the gift, and I gotta go.
-The game is on. Okay. Go ahead. -Thanks, Mom.
-Okay. -Sorry.
-No, it's okay.
-Okay. -A big Mariners game on tonight.
Her favorite player might break a world record.
-Can I open her presents? -That's really good.
Ichiro now stands alone in second place.
Probably won't be there too long.
Ichiro! Ichiro!
Backdoor slider too far outside and the count is full.
Three balls and two strikes.
Hit it, hit it…
And a ground ball…
Yes. Yes, yes. A hit.
He made it!
He's a new all-time hit king in Major League history!
Number 258!
Amazing!
The usually staid, unemotional Ichiro Suzuki
with a huge smile on his face,
and I'm sure, a huge load lifted off his shoulders
as the pressure has mounted here incredibly in the last couple of weeks.
And Ichiro, acknowledging the sellout crowd.
For the new hit champion of all time.
Ichiro with 258 hits.
It didn't take him long, did it?
He's first to advance here in game number 160. And…
One of the great moments in baseball history right here.
And finally, this young man from Japan comes in and establishes the new mark.
Thank you.
Yes.
Is this for Teddy, or…
-No, it's for me. I'm in training. -Training for what?
Geez, what do you have that thing set to?
-Eighty miles per hour. -What?
That's what big leaguers hit.
Yeah, but you haven't played since you were in college.
-Maybe we should set it to, like, 40 or-- -Don't touch it!
So, is this thing, like, a rental or…
Don't worry. It was only 1,500.
$1,500?
Oh, my God.
When Teddy wanted to play guitar we didn't run out and buy him a Fender.
Teddy is a child. I'm an adult.
I've never seen someone so happy striking out.
There are no women's teams in Columbus.
The closest one to play is in Chicago.
How come Mom gets computer time at the table?
She's doing research. She's looking for a baseball team.
But when I type in "women's baseball," it asks me if I mean "women's softball."
But isn't that-- Isn't softball close enough?
No, it's totally different.
What's softball?
-It's basically the same thing. -No! It's not.
Did you know fly-fishing and deep-sea fishing are the same?
Okay, that's not funny.
-You did it. -Fly-fishing is an art.
-Softball and baseball are the same. -No!
-Yeah. -Different. Totally different things.
-It's the same. -That's lying. Daddy's lying, okay?
The point of softball is the same.
You're still swinging at things with a bat, is all I'm saying.
The ball is the size of a grapefruit,
and they throw it underhand, like tossing to a child.
You do know that men play softball too?
No! Okay, don't shoot.
Okay, I take it back. You are right.
You are the baseball expert, I am just a guy brushing his teeth.
I love you.
Hey, here you go.
Hey. Women's-only baseball team.
Become a Starling!
No.
Become a Starling!
-Women's-only baseball team. -Thanks.
Do you have what it takes?
You look strong. You can be a pitcher!
Become a Starling!
Kazuko!
How are you?
I lost $300 at our poker game this week.
Corin cleaned me out.
I think she's cheating. How are you?
I'm great!
Look!
Good for you, getting back in baseball!
If I get enough women, we can play a tournament in Chicago.
I have never played baseball and I hate to sweat.
Come on, I play poker with you,
even though I hate cards.
You owe me!
It's exercise,
and you can get away from your kids.
Once I have nine women you can quit.
Nine and I quit.
Thank you!
Corin, you want to play baseball?
No.
Starlings, become a Starling!
Hey, you look tall.
Welcome!
You are now officially a member
of the Columbus Starlings!
You owe me breakfast.
Of course, of course, if you do your best. There!
Kazuko.
Great!
Let's practice.
Here we go!
Kazuko.
Look the ball into your glove. Okay?
So boring!
I thought baseball players drank beer
and ate sunflower seeds.
When does it get fun?
We're not here for fun.
We will do it again.
Yep.
Close! Let's do it again.
Good. Good, good, good, good!
Behind you.
Hey, we actually play here on Saturdays.
Come on. Let's go get pancakes.
The law is first come, first serve.
-The law? -Yeah. The law.
But there's only two of you.
We have a team. They're just not here yet.
First come, first serve.
Whatever, lady.
I don't know. It's better over here.
Ready?
Very good!
Hi. We're the Dyer brothers.
Since 2002, Dyer Brothers Real Estate has been family-owned and operated
in Columbus, Ohio.
We were born here, so we know what makes each neighborhood special.
Whether you're looking for your first house, your next house
or an investment property, we're here to help.
Dyer Brothers Real Estate.
Let our family help your family find its home.
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Ready to rehearse, Mom?
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Join the Columbus Women's Starlings,
because I can't-- Join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Hey, Mom, am I the reason you stopped?
What?
Don't moms stop things sometimes when they have a kid?
Yes, but that's not why I stopped.
Then why did you?
Well, I played in college, and then I came to America,
because they were starting a professional women's team.
The Silver Bullets.
But they didn't last.
I never planned to give it up. It just didn't exist.
It's cool that you have a thing.
I don't really have a thing.
You'll find it. I promise.
Okay. I'm gonna put in a lot of zooms.
Good acting.
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Be less serious, more happy, and talk quicker.
-Okay. -Action!
To be a good fielder, it's all about the footwork.
-Okay. -Look.
It's training camp for the Yankees.
You want to stay low and funnel the ball into your body.
Lower. Even more. Much lower.
And don't be afraid to get hit in the face.
What?
Oh, God. I haven't felt these muscles in 40 years.
I passed out 250 flyers, and all we got is Lorraine?
-No offense. -None taken.
I wouldn't take it personally.
I mean, how many women like baseball?
I'm making a commercial. Everyone watches commercials.
If you build it, they will come.
So, what's the obsession with baseball, Yoshiko?
I like how everything has to be perfectly aligned to hit the ball.
Yeah, I can miss a thousand times,
but when I hit… I just feel…
ikigai.
Ikigai.
There's not really a word for it in English.
It's "reason for living."
Well, ikigai is like little motivation or happiness.
I always said if I hadn't gone into septic, I would've opened a bakery.
Is that my ikigai?
Well, it could have been.
It's a feeling when the lights turn on inside of you.
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Because I can't play--
Mom, you deleted the clip.
No.
Yes, you did. Mom!
-Undo it. -Okay, well, I'm off.
Can you take Teddy?
I left early to pick him up Tuesday,
and we've got inspections at two places today.
It's on your way.
I'm only working Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
What? You cut your hours?
-Teddy, can you go get your backpack? -Okay, bye.
Thanks.
Do we discuss this stuff anymore?
I mean, we can't afford to lose that income.
Until my business gets off the ground.
Your business? Baseball's not a business.
Yep. Yes, I see that you made a nameplate.
But you don't need to cut down your hours to play catch with two women at the park.
You don't get to decide.
Let me finish.
Okay.
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings.
Good.
-Hey! You guys interested in baseball? -Hey!
-Yeah, saw the flyer! -Yeah.
-Yay! -All right.
-Hey. Diane. -Super excited.
-Let's do jumping jacks. Go! -All right.
Let's go. Go!
Okay, Lorraine, swing and run. Go!
Go! Good. Come on, guys.
Guys, go, go!
Judy, hustle!
-Judy! Go! -Come on, Judy!
I'm pacing myself.
Come on.
Got it!
Yeah. Come on. Let's go, Starlings. What, what, what.
Thanks, Teddy.
Good job. That's it.
That's it.
Hey, is that Corin?
Hey, Corin!
She lost big on Saturday night and couldn't pay up.
-That was my trade. -Kazuko, you did it. That's nine.
That's-- Hey, that's nine!
-Wait, that's nine? Really? -We are going to Chicago!
We are the Starlings!
Starlings, Starlings!
-We've been planning this trip. -I know.
We see your family every week. I--
I don't need to go fly-fishing with them.
Okay, and instead, you're taking a bunch of adult women on a field trip?
I mean, I can't get into this. I have to go pack.
Hey, this is my one thing.
Everything else is about you and your family.
Our family.
No! It's your family.
Your brother, your sister, your parents.
None of this is mine.
Oh, really? So, now you don't have a husband or a child?
Hey, you know that's not what I mean.
I am just trying to understand this sudden dissatisfaction with our entire life.
You were the one who left Japan. You decided to move here.
Yes, to play baseball.
If I was in Japan, I would still be playing.
Now we're suddenly romanticizing Japan?
-You hate Japan. -I didn't hate Japan.
You said it was a box.
The whole conveyor-belt thing, where everyone's just on one track?
I wanted to go back!
You're the one who said women's baseball could be a thing here!
Yeah, I was 20. I would've said anything to get you to stay.
I didn't want all this.
I didn't dream of having a house or a husband!
I dreamed of playing baseball!
Wow.
Right.
Well, not every dream works out.
Hey, this is happening.
You are 42 years old. You're not gonna be a pro ballplayer!
This is happening, Paul!
Okay. Yeah. Have a great trip.
You're a box!
What? What the hell?
Japan was a box. But you, you're a box.
No. I am a grown-up.
You're a box!
Listen up.
Tomorrow we will face the Annie Oakleys.
Nine women who have worked just as hard as us for this opportunity.
We'll be focused.
Remember fundamentals.
We'll say, "Got it!" loud and clear when we make a play for a ball.
Yep.
I can't thank you enough for helping me make my dream come true.
Go Starlings!
Oh, my God!
We're gonna win.
-Got it. -Come on, Janine. You got this.
Good, Janine.
That's all right. It's okay.
Judy! Judy! Get it! Go, go, go!
It's fine.
Code red, bud. Come on. We gotta go.
It's almost done downloading.
I got it. Get up. Go get your stuff.
Don't mess up Mom's thing.
Okay.
What the…
Please join the Columbus Women's Starlings,
because I can't play baseball by myself.
We can still win, you guys.
Come on. Rally caps. Come on!
Starlings!
-You've got this. -You got it!
Okay.
-Let's go! -Let's go!
You got this. You've got it!
Go! Run, run, run!
Starlings! Starlings! Starlings!
-Well, we lost. -Could've been worse though.
I couldn't believe it.
Hey, Starlings. Can I get y'all to huddle up for a second?
I made the trophy myself.
For our MVP!
That's it. Ikigai!
-Ikigai! -Ikigai!
Yoshiko! Yoshiko! Yoshiko!
-Give to Judy. -Yeah.
Yoshiko, hey, it's Judy.
My parents need some help,
so I'm gonna be out of town for the rest of the year.
But good luck with the team.
Hey, it's Dawn.
I got that promotion. My schedule is getting crazy.
Ugh, man, I miss you guys.
Yoshiko. It's Candy.
Hey, listen, my kid needs tutoring--
Hey, Yoshiko. Got your message.
I'm high as a kite on pain pills right now.
Two more surgeries.
Yoshiko! Hey, it's Janine.
Look, I'm working weekends down at the store now,
so I don't think I'll have much time for anything else, unfortunately.
C'mon, I'll buy you breakfast.
You know what's crazy?
Japan has a pro women's league now.
Four teams.
They do?
You ever think about going back?
Yeah, sometimes.
I'll go start dinner.
Follow me. Something we want to show ya.
-What? -Watch your feet.
There's, like, some nails and screws and stuff there.
Come through here.
-Wait, what's going on? -Okay.
We have to be at Teddy's game.
His game doesn't start for another hour.
We have something to show you.
I got a great price.
-We bought this? -Yeah.
It's a field. And we'll get all that. I know there's some bottles and stuff.
We'll clean it up.
I mean, I work for money.
Right? Yeah, It's great.
It buys us stuff that we want, but it's not a passion.
You have a passion.
I didn't see it, but…
But I get it now.
Teddy, do you know that when your mom moved here from Japan
and moved away from Obaa-chan and Ojii-chan,
she came all the way here to Ohio?
She didn't speak the language, but she had a dream.
Do you realize how special that is?
I mean, I moved two blocks from my elementary school.
I know it's not perfect, but we'll work on it. Together.
You did this?
Yeah. I mean, he helped a little.
Mom, let's play catch!
Nice.
Catch.
Dad, let's play catch!
Oh, God.
Dad, you gotta work on that arm.
-He does. -Now we got a field where I can practice.
Right?
You know, I can't play by myself.
Please join with me Columbus Women's Baseball League.