Hobbs struck out!!!

Rating: Null/10 (23 August 2000)

No, I'm not talking about the dark ending to Bernard Malamud's classic epic. I know the movie took a decidedly cheerier tack. However, in my latest viewing of The Natural (making it at least 20 times) I was shocked to notice that Roy Hobbs actually struck out just before he deposited Mr. Spaulding into the light tower. Here's the pitch-by-pitch replay:
1. With Youngberry pitching, Hobbs takes a strike on the inside corner: oh and one. 2. Hobbs takes a ball high: one and one. 3. Youngberry is pulled for Rhoades. 4. Hobbs fouls one back, shattering the pressbox window: one and two. 5. Hobbs swings and misses on the next pitch on a blazing fastball on the outside corner. Strike three!! This makes the next pitch (Wonderboy is splintered) and the one after that (dramatic homerun) academic. The Pirates win, Pops Fisher is denied again. Am I coming out of left field here? Did I not see what I thought I saw???