Everyone's Hero

In the midst of the Great Depression's economic turmoil in 1932 New York City, 10-year-old Yankee Irving finds himself struggling to make a name for himself on the baseball diamond, often finding solace in daydreams of grandeur. Despite his athletic shortcomings, he discovers an unlikely confidant in Screwie, a wisecracking talking baseball that only he can hear, which becomes his trusted companion and source of inspiration. Yankee's father, Stanley (played by), toils away as a humble custodian at the iconic Yankee Stadium, where a fateful incident sets off a chain reaction of events that would alter their lives forever.

On that fateful day, a cunning thief masquerading as a security guard pilfers Babe Ruth's prized "lucky" bat, Darlin', from beneath the watchful eyes of Stanley and his son. As a result, Stanley is falsely accused of the heist and subsequently fired until the bat can be recovered. Feeling trapped and helpless, Yankee learns that the true culprit behind the dastardly deed is Lefty Maginnis, a cunning pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, who works under the ruthless guidance of Napoleon Cross.

Determined to clear his father's name and save their family from eviction, Yankee embarks on an extraordinary journey. He retrieves Darlin' from Lefty at the train station but fails to disembark before the train chugs off towards its next destination, leaving him and Screwie at the mercy of circumstance. As fate would have it, Darlin' possesses a remarkable ability – she can converse with Yankee, urging him to return her to the legendary Babe Ruth in Chicago, where the 1932 World Series is set to unfold.

Throughout his perilous quest, Yankee encounters an array of colorful characters who aid him in his mission. These include hobos Andy, Louis, and Jack, as well as Marti Brewster and her father, Lonnie, a Negro league pitcher who imparts valuable batting wisdom to the young boy. Meanwhile, Stanley and Emily, Yankee's worried mother, launch their own search efforts to locate their missing son.

As the stakes grow higher, Yankee finds himself in a series of harrowing escapades with Lefty, culminating in a thrilling showdown during which Darlin' is once again stolen and given to Cross. The ruthless general manager reveals his nefarious plans to Yankee, trapping him inside an office as the clock ticks towards the World Series finale. Will Yankee's unwavering determination be enough to clear his father's name, recover Darlin', and save their family from the brink of disaster?

As Yankee makes his daring escape from the office, he expertly navigates a maze of security guards, ultimately returning Darlin' to Babe (Parece). Meanwhile, Cross tries to temper Babe's enthusiasm, cautioning that Yankee is still too green for the big leagues. Undeterred, Babe imparts some words of wisdom, emphasizing that "it's not the bat, it's the batter" – a mantra that resonates deeply with Yankee.

Empowered by Babe's encouragement, Yankee takes a swing at Screwie and manages to hit him after two strikes. As the Cubs players converge to tag him out, Yankee employs his quick reflexes and cunning agility to evade them, leaving Lefty as his last hurdle. In a thrilling display of athleticism, Yankee leaps over Lefty (as a nod to the earlier mishap that got both him and his father in trouble) and lands safely on home plate, scoring a crucial run.

This triumphant moment sparks a renewed sense of morale among the Yankees, who go on to score seven more runs and ultimately claim victory in the World Series. However, the revelation of Darlin's theft sets off a chain reaction of consequences. Cross is arrested for his role in the scheme, with Yankee's involvement as an accomplice and cheater subsequently exposed.

In the aftermath, Lefty is ousted from the team and also taken into custody. As the fallout settles, Stanley offers a heartfelt apology to Yankee for being too hard on him earlier, while extending congratulations on his exceptional performance that has cleared his name and reinstated him as the stadium's custodian.

As the dust settles, Yankee celebrates the Yankees' World Series win in a victory parade where he takes his place alongside Screwie and Darlin' as an honorary player. Cross, meanwhile, finds himself relegated to vending Babe Ruth bobbleheads, while Lefty is assigned to cleaning the streets as part of his work release program. In a heartwarming conclusion, Yankee indulges in a game of catch with Screwie and the hobos' dog, basking in the joy and camaraderie that comes with achieving greatness.