Chapter 9

Friday, August 7, 1987
San Francisco, California
6:40 p.m.
Over Candlestick Park

AFTER the light dissipated, Doc and Marty looked down at Candlestick Point. There it was, Candlestick Park. In restoring the timeline to it’s original shape, the stadium too had it’s existance restored. “We did it, Doc.” said Marty, “Everything’s back to the way it was before all this happened.” “Success!” said Doc, “Mission accomplished!” “Now all we need to do now is to get my guitar repaired.” said Marty. “Don’t worry about that.” said Doc, “Once I let you out, go into the clubhouse and give it too me. I’ll have that taken care of.” “I hope so.” said Marty as the car landed outside the door to the players’ dressing room.

After returning with the guitar, Marty gave it to Doc who in turn flew off. Marty went back into the clubhouse and saw his band there waiting for Marty. Suddenly, a sound was heard. “Sorry sir.” it said, “Players and invited guest only.” Marty turned to find out who it was. It was the Doc! He had the guitar fully repaired. But he was also being restrained by a guard. Marty approached the man saying “That’s alright. He’s got my guitar.” “Here you go, Marty.” said Doc handing him the instrument. “Doc.” said Marty, “That’s great. How did you...” But, Doc put a finger to his lips as if to say that all his questions would be answered later when there’s no one else around. “Oh.” said Marty, “Okay. Thanks Doc.” “You’re welcome.” said Doc. Marty turned and went back into the clubhouse to rejoin his band.

Once arriving in the room, Marty looked at his band saying “Boy are you guys a sight for sore eyes.” The band looked at each other until one of them said “Hey McFly, you’re acting like you haven’t been back for over a couple of months.” “Believe me.” said Marty, “I haven’t.” Another bandmember asked “Are you alright, McFly?” “Yeah.” said Marty, “Everything’s alright now.” “Maybe we should cancel.” suggested another member. “Hey, I’m the leader of the band.” said McFly, “I’m decided whether we should cancel or not. Now let’s get out there.” At that, the band got up and headed out to the field.

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On their way out, Marty ran into Will Clark. “Hey kid.” said Will, “Those were some pitches you were serving up there.” “Yeah.” said Marty. Marty and his band continued to head out. Meanwhile, Will stood there thinking to himself He’s acting like this happened a couple of months ago. After awhile, he headed back to the clubhouse.

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Marty looked up and around the stadium. There, in the stands were his family, Doc’s family and Jennifer. It was good to see them again. Especially, Jennifer. Marty felt it hard to believe that as far as she was concerned, almost an hour passed by since she last saw him. As for Marty, two months passed by since he saw her talking to Manager Roger Craig. He found it hard to believe that he was finally going to get his shot to perform in a ballpark after all he had been through. Then, the head of the speaker’s bureau introduced the Pinheads. At that, Marty and his band started to perform.

++++++

Meanwhile, Doc had just came back via his refrigerator after returning to his place to put the DeLorean away. When he finally arrived in the stands, he met Clara and his two boys. As far as they were concerned, only several minutes had passed when they last saw him. However, two hours had gone by since he told Clara to stay with Jules and Verne so he could find Marty. “Emmett.” said Clara, “Did you see Marty?” “Yes I did.” said Doc. But, he didn’t say anything else. They just sat down and listended to Marty’s performance.

++++++

After Marty’s performance, he headed to the stands. The first person he spoke to was Jennifer. “Jennifer.” he said, “What a sight for sore eyes. Let me look at you.” “Marty.” said Jennifer, “You’re acting like you haven’t seen me in two months.” “Believe me, Jennifer.” said Marty, “I haven’t.” “Marty.” exclaimed Jennifer, “You and Dr. Brown didn’t...” Then looking around she whispered into Marty’s ear “...time travel.” Marty was going to find it difficult to keep this secret from her.

The rest of the evening went well. The Giants won 3-1 with Mike LaCoss going all the way. The drive home was a long one. It was after midnight before the McFly’s, the Browns, Jennifer and all those involved with the Pinheads arrived in Hill Valley.

But the very next day:

Marty was sleeping in after a long night when he was waken by his mother. “Mom.” he said, “Is that you?” “Yes it is.” said Lorraine, “And you’ve got a phone call from Dr. Brown.” She handed him the cellphone and left. “Yo, Doc.” said Marty. “Marty.” said Doc’s voice, “Can you come over to my place in a half hour?” Feeling wide awake now, Marty said “Yeah, Doc. But why?” “All your questions will be answered when you arrive here.” said Doc, “Oh, ask Jennifer if she would like to come along as well.” “Right, Doc.” said Marty. After hanging up, he called Jennifer. To his gratification he got her. “Hey Jen.” he said. “Marty.” said Jennifer’s voice. “Jennifer.” said Marty, “Doc called me and wanted me to go over to his place. He also asked me to ask you if you should come along.” There was a pause on the other line before Jennifer said “Okay.” “Good.” said Marty, “I’ll drive over to your place and pick you up.” “Alright, Marty.” said Jennifer’s voice, “Love you.” “Love you too.” said Marty. After that, he hung up and got ready to leave.

Getting into the truck, Marty first drove over to pick up Jennifer. Then, the two drove over to Doc’s place. When they arrived, Clara admitted them in. “He’s in the lab.” she said. Marty and Jennifer went there. When they arrive, Marty said “Yo, Doc.” “Marty.” said Doc. He was dressed in something resembling clothing from the 1920’s or 30’s. “Doc.” said Marty, “What the hell is this?” “Marty.” asked Doc, “Wanna see Babe Ruth again?” “Already?” exclaimed Marty. “Of course.” said Doc. He handed him and Jennifer some clothing to suit the era that Doc was going to. “I was studying up on the Sultan of Swat and read something about him.” Doc went onto say, “It was a story in which he was alledged to have pointed to the right field fence during the 1931 World Series. There were no photographs of him doing it however...” “Well Doc,” said Marty, “If you think that what Babe did should’ve been in pictures, I would’ve brought along my camera.” “Marty.” reprimanded Doc, “I didn’t invite you and Jennifer to go back in time so you could take pictures, I just wanted to see for myself whether or not Babe Ruth really pointed to the fence.” “Then, why are we coming along with you?” asked Marty. “So you could see him one more time.” “Doctor Brown.” said Jennifer, “I didn’t see Babe Ruth...” “But your grandfather did.” said Doc, “As a member of the Hill Valley Pine Trees.” He showed Jennifer a newspaper clipping. Jennifer read it. Then, she showed it to Marty who read it. It said that Mr. Parker saw the Babe point to the fence. Then hit the ball over that spot for a home run. “Son of a bitch!” said Marty. “I get to see my grandfather as a young man.” said Jennifer. “Only from a distance.” said Doc, “I don’t want you to interact with anyone while you’re there.” “You’re the doc, Doc.” said Marty. After that they went to change their clothes. Jennifer first, followed by Marty. In the meantime, Doc readied the DeLorean for time travel. When both Marty and Jennifer were ready, Doc produced some tickets for the two to use.

When they arrived, Doc hid the DeLorean in an alleyway and covered it. Afterwords, they went to the park.

The park was the same as it was today. It had no lights and were not going to have any even in 1987. And when they entered, the scenery was just like it was on television. Scoreboard and everything. “I can’t believe so much hasn’t change here.” said Marty. “I know.” said Doc, “It’s such a traditional park that newer ones that’s be built during the ‘90’s will copy it bringing the traditional ballparks back replacing the multipurpose ones that are being used now.” Turning to Marty and Jennifer, he said “In the year 2000 a new ballpark in China Basin in San Francisco will replace Candlestick Park as the home of the Giants.” “That’s great, Doc.” said Marty, “How is it? I mean-how will it be?” “Beautiful.” said Doc, “It’s prettier, and more comfortable than Candlestick.” “I would like to see it.” said Marty. “All in good time, Marty.” said Doc, “All in good time. We’re here to witness Babe Ruth pointing to the fence.” Marty shrugged. Then, he said “You’re the doc, Doc.”

The game went see-saw at first. In the top of the first, Ruth came up with two on and hit one out for a three-run New York lead. But Chicago came back.

In the fifth inning, with score tied 4-4, Babe came to the plate. He took the first two pitches for strikes. Each time he did, held up a finger. The first pitch to indicate number one. The second pitch, two fingers for number two. Then, the moment the three time travelers were waiting to see. The Babe stepped out of the batters box and pointed to the right field fence. In the stands, Doc said “There it is.” Marty and Jennifer both looked. “Son of a bitch.” said Marty. “Just what my grandfather saw.” said Jennifer. Then, the Babe stepped back in and swung the bat. The pitcher threw and Ruth swung and connected. Back, back, back went the the Cub right fielded. Looking up, it was gone! The Babe did it. He called his shot.

When the game was over, Marty had disappeared. Doc and Jennifer couldn’t find him.

Marty was in the clubhouse looking for Ruth. When he found him, he asked “Do you remember a guy named William Bendix?” Ruth turned Marty and said “Yeah. You know him?” “Yeah.” said Marty, “Sort of?” “How’s he doing lately? Nobody’s seen him in a long time.” said Ruth. “He’s doing fine.” said Marty. “Very fine now.” The Babe studied him. He did bear a resemblance to Bendix and he said “You must be related to him.” “I am.” said Marty, “In a way you wouldn’t believe.” “Try me?” said Ruth. Marty paused. Then, he said “Listen I’ve gotta go but Mr. Bendix said that when he tried out for the Red Sox, it was educational.” He turned and left.

Babe went back to changing clothes thinking to himself That kid does look familiar.

After leaving the clubhouse, Marty ran into Doc and Jennifer. “Marty.” exclaimed Doc, “Where were you?” “Taking one last look at the Babe.” said Marty. “You had us worried.” said Jennifer. Marty smiled. Then, he said “That’s good, Jen.” “Never mind that now.” said Doc, “Marty I hope this latest interaction was a little harmless than the other ones.” “Believe me, Doc.” said Marty, “It was.” All three turned to leave the stadium and headed back to the DeLorean. Afterwords, they returned to their own time.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: George Herman “Babe” Ruth. Played three more seasons with the New York Yankees. In 1935, he played only a few weeks with the Boston Braves before retiring. To his dying day, he never obtained what he craved the most: To be a manager.

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