Time for a Change?
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| “Time for a Change?” | |||||||
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| The Bronx is Burning episode | |||||||
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 3 |
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| Written by | |||||||
| Original airdate | July 24, 2007 | ||||||
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Time for a Change? is the third episode of ESPN's miniseries The Bronx is Burning. It debuted on July 24, 2007, it was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by Gordon Greisman.
[edit] Plot
The show starts off on May 30, 1977 at Fenway Park. Yankees catchers Thurman Munson (Erik Jensen) and Fran Healy (Loren Dean) are talking to each other during a bullpen session. Healy, who is Jackson's only friend on the team, suggests a sitdown with Jackson to Munson. Back in New York City, New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin (Michael Rispoli) is writing a response to the latest Son of Sam letter. Breslin is also watching ABC's Monday Night Baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, which the Yankees win 5-4.
After the game, Jackson, Healy and Munson go to dinner to resolve their problem. Munson tells Jackson that he doesn't like him, but that he will work with him to win. Meanwhile, in the mayoral race, former congresswoman Bella Abzug takes the lead. Less than three weeks later, the Yankees return to Boston for another series with the Red Sox. During a nationally televised game on June 18, Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice hits a bloop into right field for a hit. Jackson doesn't hustle to get to the ball, allowing Rice to go to second base for a double. Billy Martin immediately pulls Jackson out of the game for not hustling. Jackson and Martin argue in the dugout, and both have to be restrained by other teammates. The argument is seen by the fans at Fenway Park, and is shown on national television. While watching the scene on television, Steinbrenner angrily instructs Gabe Paul to fire Martin. Paul counters by telling Steinbrenner that he won't fire Martin and will talk to Martin and Jackson. The Yankees, meanwhile, are embarrassed by the Red Sox during the series, with Boston hitting an American League record 16 home runs in the three-game sweep.
At the meeting, Jackson admits that he will have to tolerate Martin and will play ball under him. However, Martin does not want to admit that Jackson is part of the club. On June 20, Steinbrenner arrives at the Hotel Pontchartrain in Detroit to fire Martin before the Yankees' series with the Detroit Tigers. However, Munson tells Steinbrenner that he and Graig Nettles will quit the team if Martin is fired. Jackson also doesn't want Martin fired because he fears he will be blamed for the dismissal. After Paul threatens to resign as well, Steinbrenner eventually decides not to fire Martin, but demands change and good results. Before the Yankees' game with Detroit, the crowd at Tiger Stadium gives Martin a standing ovation when he goes out to exchange lineup cards.
Meanwhile, NYPD detectives monitor an area near a nightclub in Queens. Nearby, the Son of Sam shoots two teenagers. As the killer walks near the detectives, they become suspicious of him. They prepare to stop him, but are forced to go to the scene of a shooting when a call comes in on the radio. As New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin is dominating the press, the New York Post puts Steve Dunleavy in charge of the Son of Sam story.
