ABC MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: A WINNER NEVER QUITS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of made-for-television dramas. This program is based on a true story and follows the development of one-armed professional baseball player Pete Gray. The story begins in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in 1925, where ten-year-old Pete's parents work in the coal mines. An accident when he is a small child leaves Pete without a right arm, but he is determined to play major-league baseball someday. With some encouragement from their father, Pete's brother Whitey helps Pete train and advises him to stay angry in order to get ahead. Pete's first big disappointment comes when the Youngstown Browns will not even allow him to try out for the team. In addition, the Army will not let him enlist in World War II, and his girlfriend Nora wants him to quit baseball so that they can marry and have a family. Finally, Pete joins the Memphis Chicks, the farm club for the St. Louis Browns. The team's manager, Mr. Tatum, believes Pete will be useful as a tourist attraction, but he soon impresses everyone with his ability. He also begins dating Annie, the waitress at a local diner, but resists her suggestion that he visit the hospital and inspire amputees from the war as he is uncomfortable when excess attention is given to his handicap. During this period Nelson Gray, whose little boy is missing an arm, decides it would be inspirational for Nelson Junior to meet Pete. Tatum and sportswriter David Bloom decide that this would be a good idea for publicity, but Pete refuses to be part of this sensational stunt. Secretly, Bloom arranges for Pete and the boy to meet, and, touched by their shared disadvantage, Pete provides needed friendship and encouragement. Meanwhile, Pete gets his big chance when he is recruited by a scout for the Browns. He also reunites with Annie and agrees to help the local hospital's wounded patients. Unfortunately, his batting average slips, and it seems as though his big dream to play at Yankee Stadium will not occur -- until a lucky turn of events gives him the opportunity to prove himself. Following the drama, there is a brief update on the career of Nelson Gray, Jr. Includes commercials, promos, and an "ABC News Brief" presentation. Commercials include Lynda Carter for Maybelline cosmetics. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: April 14, 1986 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:55:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1594
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Baseball - Drama; Handicapped - Drama
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1973-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercial - "Legend" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - AT&T long distance
- TV - Commercials - Ace Hardware stores
- TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Chiquita fruit & juice pops
- TV - Commercials - Delicare fabric softener
- TV - Commercials - Dodge trucks
- TV - Commercials - Dove soap
- TV - Commercials - Honda automobiles
- TV - Commercials - ITT Corporation communications
- TV - Commercials - L'Oreal hair color
- TV - Commercials - Levi's jeans
- TV - Commercials - Massengill douches
- TV - Commercials - Maybelline cosmetics
- TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles and trucks
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's fast food
- TV - Commercials - Mercury automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Metropolitan Life insurance
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Q-Tips cotton swabs
- TV - Commercials - Ragu pasta meals
- TV - Commercials - Ruffles potato chips
- TV - Commercials - Savin copiers
- TV - Commercials - Sticklets gum
- TV - Commercials - Stroh's beer
- TV - Commercials - Sylvania light bulbs
- TV - Commercials - U.S. Postal Service
- TV - Commercials - Wrigley's gum
- TV - Promos - "ABC News"
- TV - Promos - "Dynasty"
- TV - Promos - "Hotel"
- TV - Promos - "MacGyver"
- TV - Promos - "Moonlighting"
- TV - Promos - "Mr. Sunshine"
- TV - Promos - "Nightline"
- TV - Promos - "North and South: Book II"
- TV - Promos - "Perfect Strangers"
- TV - Promos - "Ryan's Hope"
- TV - Promos - "Something about Amelia"
- TV - Promos - "Spencer: For Hire"
- TV - Promos - "Superman III" (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - "Who's the Boss?"
CREDITS
- Daniel H. Blatt … Executive Producer
- Robert Singer … Executive Producer
- James Keach … Producer
- Lynn Raynor … Producer
- Frank Pace … Associate Producer
- Pixie Lamppu … Associate Producer
- Mel Damski … Director
- Burt Prelutsky … Writer
- Dana Kaproff … Music by
- Keith Carradine … Cast, Pete Gray
- Mare Winningham … Cast, Annie
- Huckleberry Fox … Cast, Nelson Gray, Jr.
- G.W. Bailey … Cast, Tatum
- Dennis Weaver … Cast, Mr. Wyshner
- Charles Hallahan … Cast, Nelson Gray, Sr.
- Fionnula Flanagan … Cast, Mrs. Wyshner
- Jack Kehoe … Cast, David Bloom
- Mary Jo Deschanel … Cast, Mrs. Gray
- Ed O'Neill … Cast, Whitey Gray
- Dana Delany … Cast, Nora
- Steve Rees … Cast, Young Pete Gray
- David Haid … Cast, Henderson
- Brad Sullivan … Cast, Taylor
- Peter Hobbs … Cast, McGregor
- J.J. Johnston … Cast, the Trainer
- La Fleur, Art … Cast, John Stewart
- Macon McCalman … Cast, Dr. Wilson
- Tom Turbiville … Cast, Man #1
- Jim Boyd … Cast, Man #2
- Andrew Lubeskie … Cas, Young Whitey
- John Hostetter … Cast, Sergeant
- James Troesh … Cast, Nolan
- Regi Green … Cast, the Veteran
- Lulu Downs … Cast, Josie
- Ted Henning … Cast, Brook
- Philip L. Stone … Cast, the Announcer
- Robert Benson … Cast, the Shortstop - Child
- Patrick Beall … Cast, the Catcher - Child
- Bryan Coley … Cast, the Captain #1 & 2
- Jamey Lee Moore … Cast, the Man #3
- Jim Morgan … Cast, Hatfield
- Mike Quarry … Cast, Kid Falco
- Charles Joseph Fick … Cast, the Second Baseman
- Walter Robles … Cast, the Masher
- Al Silvani … Cast, the Referee