Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde delve into all the twists and turns surrounding this baseball-themed episode of "The Twilight Zone" entitled "The Mighty Casey!" Rating this 1960 TV episode on the 20-80 scouting scale may make for one of their most fun journeys yet. They introduce the episode (1:34), with an overview of the plot, actors, and a brief foray into Rod Serling's other writing about baseball. After a description of the 20-80 scouting grades for those who are unfamiliar (8:18), they begin with Amount of Baseball (9:22), including a discussion of whether or not Amount of Baseball is a ratio stat or a counting stat, Robert Sorrell's pitching double, and the concept of a montage expressing "he's doing well." Baseball Accuracy (13:04) touches on how much adding one pitcher could really help an awful team, Casey's pitching mix, how often a superman could plausibly pitch, connection to the Dodgers, the try-out flubs and a philosophical question about beaning. Storytelling (36:22) examines the fairytale nature of the story, the twists, Casey's mental fortitude with small shout-outs to Cliff Lee and Max Scherzer, Leo Durocher and the question of whether nice guys finish last, concerns about Dr. Stillman's motivations, Casey's age and implications for his Tommy John surgery. They discuss the Score (47:25) and Acting (48:35), particularly Robert Sorrells, Abraham Sofaer and Jack Warden, with our CRAZIEST TWIST YET! References to "Homeland," "Inception," and Ellen's final request. Plus, Robert Sorrells was a complex dude. Delightfulness of Catcher (56:59), Delightfulness of Announcer (59:23) and Lack of Misogyny (1:00:35) follow. No spoilers on the following segments: Yes or No (1:04:58), Six Degrees of Baseball (1:09:30) Favorite Moment (1:10:25) Least Favorite Moment (1:11:18), Scene We Would Have Liked to See (1:13:37), Dreamiest Player (1:15:47), Favorite Performance (1:16:22), Review Thank You (1:18:35) and Next Time (1:19:10).

Ellen Adair talks with Noah Gittell, journalist, film critic, and author of BASEBALL: THE MOVIE. They discuss ways in which Noah's Mets fandom has built character, the concept of love of baseball above all, surprises in researching the book, casting a movie about Jackie Robinson using actors from Jackie Robinson movies over the decades, and the worst baseball movie Noah had to watch. Noah has some hot takes about THE SANDLOT! They also talk about which baseball movie characters to put on the cover of the book, Noah's interview with Richard Linklater, and the decline in production of baseball movies in the past decade. Then, they get into Noah's grades for the brilliant 2009 film SUGAR, by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Parental advisory: there is some (very fun) conversation about a rated-R word used in the film in the "Lack of Misogyny" category. Ellen also fact-checks the earlier episode of SUGAR on an important "Yes or No" question.

Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2004 comedy "Mr. 3000," grading its tools on the 20-80 scouting scale. They introduce the film (1:34), providing background on the director, writer, and some of the cast. After a description a description of the 20-80 scouting grades for those who are unfamiliar (5:06), they begin with Amount of Baseball (6:42), including a player comp (no spoilers). Baseball Accuracy (15:25) touches on Stan Ross's (Bernie Mac) Hall of Fame aspirations and his believability as a player, players with 3,000 hits, baseball "curfew," Roberto Clemente, Juan Soto, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey, Jr., Phillies of the 2010s, the longest MLB game ever played, 1995 playoff race, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, Cap Anson, Chase Utley, and bat length and weight. Storytelling (36:22) examines the problems surrounding Stan's "Tonight Show" appearance, use of commercials and Charles Barkley, the irony of an Astros pitcher tipping pitches and Stan's early anti-cheating stance, Paul Sorvino's mostly silent manager, the sac bunt, the bottle moment, and the chain of 3,000 stores. The musical Score (1:04:18) looks at usage of "The Natural," Gustav Holst, The Nutcracker, "Jungle Boogie," "It Takes Two," "YMCA," "Let's Get it On," "Whoomp There It is" and "Endless Love." Shout-out to Rhys Hoskins' moustache, which Ellen learns they only loved all along by how sad they are now that it has left us. Acting (1:11:43) discusses Bernie Mac's charisma, Angela Bassett's all-around awesomeness, and performances from Brian White, Amaury Nolasco, Dondre T. Whitfield, Michael Rispoli, Paul Sorvino and Chris Noth. Delightfulness of Catcher (1:16:13) follows, and Eric gives props to Dick Enberg in Delightfulness of Announcer (1:18:31). Lack of Misogyny (1:22:11) praises Angela Bassett, though Ellen has small tirade on the idealization of tiny women being able to house junk food at all times. No spoilers on the following segments: Yes or No (1:26:00), Six Degrees of Baseball (1:31:09) Favorite Moment (1:32:03) Least Favorite Moment (1:34:37), Scene We Would Have Liked to See (1:36:33), Dreamiest Player (1:37:46), Favorite Performance (1:39:20), Next Time (1:41:13) and Review Thank You (1:41:55)