BASEBALL ON TV — “M*A*S*H” (Featuring Jim Lefebvre)

Episode: “A War for all Seasons” (1980)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

“The Giants Win the Pennant” … “The Giants Win the Pennant” … “The Giants Win the Pennant” …

Those were the immortal words shouted by announcer Russ Hodges when the New York Giants’ Bobby Thomson slammed the come-from-behind home run – off Dodger hurler Ralph Branca – that became known as the “Shot Heard ’Round the World” on Oct. 3, 1951.

The M*A*S*H episode “A War For All Seasons” covered the entire year of 1951, with one of the major subplots being the National League pennant race that eventually pitted the Giants against the Dodgers on the last day of the season.

When the Dodgers led the league by a wide margin in early summer, Corporal Max Klinger (played by Jamie Farr) began taking bets from anyone who wanted to gamble against Brooklyn. Eventually, he was bankrolled by Major Charles Winchester (David Ogden Stiers) and together they offered high odds that the Dodgers would beat out any team for the National League title.

What they didn’t count on was New York winning 37 of their last 44 games.

Several ballplayers are mentioned on the show by either the M*A*S*H characters or on the radio broadcast of the final game. In addition to Thomson, these included: Don Newcombe, Carl Erskine, Preacher Roe, Ralph Branca, Duke Snider, Whitey Lockman, Pee Wee Reese, Al Dark, Don Mueller and Willie Mays.

In fact, one of the most memorable lines of the show – at least for baseball fans – is uttered by Captain B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) in mid-season when he says: “Watch out for those Giants. That new kid Mays is on fire.” (It was Willie Mays’ first season, as he was called up from AAA Minneapolis in May after hitting .477 in 35 games.)

Of course, Klinger and Winchester lose their shirts when Thomson hits his blast. Everyone else in camp bet against the Dodgers and is ecstatic as they celebrate wildly.

By the time this was aired, M*A*S*H was in its ninth season (out of 11). The storylines and scripts had begun to seem a little rusty compared to the first eight years. It was understandable since 203 episodes had already been shown.

However, this is a great show. Not only does its use of a historic event intertwined with fictional characters work well, it successfully combines fun with a bit of sentimentality. Plus, there’s a fine subplot involving the camp’s chaplain (William Christopher as Fr. Mulcahy) and his homegrown corn.

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Episode: “Friends and Enemies” (1983)

One other M*A*S*H episode was baseball-related. “Friends and Enemies” (1983) did not have a baseball storyline, but included a brief appearance by former Dodger infielder and future major league manager Jim Lefebvre.

Colonel Potter’s (Harry Morgan) old army buddy, Woody Cooke, is wounded and shows up at the 4077th M*A*S*H for treatment. Others being treated from the same battle tell the surgeons that Cooke – now assigned to an army desk job – showed up at the front and took over command when he shouldn’t have. This resulted in putting soldiers in harm’s way and getting them wounded.

Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) is obligated to tell Potter, but the Colonel doesn’t want to believe this type of story about his old friend. Finally, Potter realizes he must find out the details himself so he visits the outfit’s Sergeant Zurilli (Lefebvre) who knows the real story. Zurilli is convinced Potter won’t rat on his buddy and at first refuses to talk, but then relents. Later, Potter confronts Cooke and says he must report the incident.  

It’s a short scene for Lefebvre, but the most critical to the plot of the episode. And he plays it well.

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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch M*A*S*H” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.

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