1993
Struggling sportswriter Al Stump is tasked with writing the biography of the notoriously difficult and dying baseball legend Ty Cobb, who immediately proves to be a volatile and abusive subject. As they travel cross-country, Cobb recounts his life, including the mysterious death of his father and his aggressive career, while their journey is fraught with arguments, Cobb's racist outbursts, and his physical decline. Stump secretly begins writing a second, more honest manuscript, even as Cobb's health deteriorates and he faces rejection from former peers, culminating in a final confrontation where Cobb reads Stump's truthful account and suffers a violent hemorrhage. After Cobb dies alone in a hospital, Stump publishes a sanitized biography that perpetuates the myth of Cobb as a hero, ultimately admitting to himself that he lied to preserve his own need for a heroic figure.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Sportswriter Al Stump reluctantly embarks on a biography with baseball legend Ty Cobb, confronting Cobb’s volatile nature and dark past.
Open full beat sheetTy Cobb is listed as Former Baseball Legend. An elderly, dying, and volatile baseball legend, known for his aggressive play and difficult personality. In the parsed data, Ty Cobb is connected to 81 scenes, 174 dialogue lines, 180 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
81 scenes / 174 dialogue linesAl Stump is listed as Sportswriter / Biographer. A journalist in his 40s, struggling with his marriage and career, tasked with writing Ty Cobb's biography. In the parsed data, Al Stump is connected to 78 scenes, 136 dialogue lines, 141 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
78 scenes / 136 dialogue linesRamona is listed as Cigarette Girl. A woman working in a Reno casino who has a brief, tumultuous encounter with Stump and Cobb. In the parsed data, Ramona is connected to 9 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
9 scenes / 16 dialogue linesWillie is listed as Cobb's Employee. A black man who works for Cobb and eventually quits due to Cobb's abuse. In the parsed data, Willie is connected to 8 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
8 scenes / 17 dialogue linesProfessor Cobb is listed as Ty Cobb's Father. A learned man, mayor, and deacon, whose death is a central mystery in Cobb's life. In the parsed data, Professor Cobb is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 16.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJameson is listed as Financial Assistant. A man in a suit who handles Cobb's financial transactions. In the parsed data, Jameson is connected to 5 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 8 dialogue linesFrank is listed as Sportswriter. A cynical and hyper-serious sportswriter and crony of Stump. In the parsed data, Frank is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMickey Cochrane is listed as Former Baseball Player. A former baseball player and friend of Cobb, struggling with alcoholism. In the parsed data, Mickey Cochrane is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 70.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesReynaldo is listed as Sportswriter. A black sportswriter and regular at The Sportsman's Lounge. In the parsed data, Reynaldo is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLucille is listed as Secretary. A 50-year-old long-suffering secretary to Al Stump. In the parsed data, Lucille is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAl Stump struggles with his writing and his marriage while his secretary Lucille assists him.
Al Stump, LucilleStump travels through town on a pogo stick.
Al StumpStump arrives at the bar.
Al StumpStump socializes with his cronies and receives a call from Ty Cobb.
Al Stump, Frank, ReynaldoStump watches old footage of Ty Cobb.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump drives to meet Cobb, stopping at a gas station.
Al StumpStump arrives at Cobb's lodge and meets him.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, Jameson, WillieCobb and Stump argue about the biography and Cobb's financial decisions before Cobb falls asleep.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, JamesonA quiet morning at the lodge.
Stump and Cobb begin working on the biography; Cobb receives a call from Hemingway.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump takes a walk and discovers the dead buck.
Al StumpCobb insists on going to Reno despite the blizzard.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb and Stump drive through a blizzard.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb crashes his car.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb tells stories of his youth while driving.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFlashback to Cobb's father's election.
Professor CobbFlashback to young Cobb in church.
Ty CobbFlashback to young Cobb's dangerous games with trains.
Ty CobbCobb and Stump face an obstacle on the road.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb and Stump argue about writing and life while driving; Cobb reveals his father was murdered.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFlashback to the murder of Ty Cobb's father.
Professor CobbStump questions Cobb about the murder and Cobb asserts his greatness.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFlashback to Cobb betting on his own performance.
Ty CobbCobb taunts players and umpires during a game.
Ty CobbCobb enjoys the hatred of the crowd.
Ty CobbCobb reads hate mail.
Ty CobbCobb plays under police protection.
Ty CobbCobb recalls meeting presidents.
Ty CobbCobb and Stump continue their journey; Cobb discusses his health and women.
Al Stump, Ty CobbThey spot a figure in the snow.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump finds Willie in the snow.
Al Stump, WillieStump forces Cobb to give Willie a ride at gunpoint.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, WillieWillie and Stump discuss baseball legends while Cobb seethes.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, WillieThe car crashes into a snowbank.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, WillieWillie leaves the car and Stump/Cobb arrive at the hotel.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, WillieStump and Cobb meet Ramona.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, RamonaStump helps Cobb with insulin and puts him to bed.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump calls his son and writes in his book.
Al StumpCobb confronts Stump about his notes, leading to a heated argument about the biography and a revelation about Cobb's father's death.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFlashback to the night Cobb's father died.
Ty Cobb, Professor CobbFlashback continues inside the house.
Ty Cobb, Professor CobbFlashback: The father climbs the trellis.
Ty Cobb, Professor CobbFlashback: The shooting.
Ty Cobb, Professor CobbCobb reveals Stump has no editorial control and burns the notes.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb and Stump encounter Ramona at the club; Cobb is introduced on stage.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, RamonaStump talks to Ramona at the bar.
Al Stump, RamonaStump and Ramona return to the room; Cobb attacks them.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, RamonaCobb terrorizes Ramona.
Ty Cobb, RamonaStump searches for Cobb's room.
Al StumpStump wakes up injured and hears Cobb calling for Ramona.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb confronts and abuses Ramona, then collapses; Stump enters to help him.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, RamonaStump works on two separate manuscripts.
Al StumpCobb sleeps restlessly while Stump narrates his writing process.
Ty CobbStump hides his secret manuscript; Cobb bursts in, feeling invigorated.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb causes a scene at a craps table after seeing Ramona with Willie.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, Willie, RamonaStump and Cobb leave Reno.
Al Stump, Ty CobbThe pair continues their cross-country journey.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb dictates his life story into a tape recorder.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFlashback to a brawl between Cobb and Ruth.
Ty CobbThe journey continues.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump writes his secret version of the biography.
Al StumpCobb interrupts Stump's writing.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb fires his gun at the motel due to noise.
Al Stump, Ty CobbStump helps Cobb shoot up.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb dictates while the car is broken down.
Al Stump, Ty CobbThe journey continues.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb continues dictating.
Al Stump, Ty CobbArrival in Cooperstown.
Al Stump, Ty CobbArrival at the motel.
Al Stump, Ty CobbMickey Cochrane visits Cobb.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, Mickey CochraneCobb and Stump arrive at the testimonial dinner.
Al Stump, Ty CobbThe testimonial dinner begins.
Al Stump, Ty CobbFilm footage of Cobb is shown.
Ty CobbClose up on Cobb watching the film.
Ty CobbCobb and Stump watch a film about Cobb's life, with Cobb becoming increasingly agitated by the content.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb and Stump search for a party in the hotel.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, JamesonCobb and Stump encounter old baseball players and their wives.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, JamesonCobb is rejected from Hornsby's party.
Al Stump, Ty Cobb, Mickey CochraneCobb visits his display at the Hall of Fame and breaks down.
Al Stump, Ty CobbCobb and Stump travel to Georgia.
Al Stump, Ty CobbOmigod, what can I say? I feel terrible -- no, it's not okay, jeez... When I get off the road we'll do something special -- a late birthday, eh? Maybe you can go to spring training or something with me, eh? Yeah... Listen, is your mother there? I know she doesn't want to speak to me, but I want to speak to her. Okay, okay -- I feel terrible about the birthday... I'll call you real soon. And tell your mother I'm not drinking anymore. Okay... 'bye, 'bye...
Quit explaining yourself! Stand by your convictions! You beat the great Ty Cobb! I respect that! But if you print it -- print it all! My second son weighed 300 pounds and he died of a heart attack in the arms of a hooker in Paso Robles. My other son I lost all track of and my two daughters won't speak to me and my two ex-wives won't and my siter you know won't! Print it all! And Ty Cobb can't get it up anymore! Print that too!
And of course, the greatest base runner of all time isn't riding in this car -- the fastest baseball player of all time was Cool Papa Bell -- Cool Papa would've easily broke all your stolen base records --
Stand back, you old farts. I'm in the middle of something -- The heat's on the blink and the mattress is lumpy -- I want a discount.
If Mr. Cobb said he got him, then he got him.
You want the truth? I'm gonna tell the truth!
Now come in here and meet the great Ty Cobb.
I'm not getting a divorce. I'm being loyal.
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