BASEBALL ON TV — “The Brady Bunch” (Featuring Don Drysdale & Wes Parker)

Episode: “The Dropout” (1970)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

“YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. … YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.

NOW PITCHING … IN HIS MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT … GRRRRREG BRADY.”

(The packed stadium crowd goes wild – clapping, cheering and stomping their feet.)

Well, that was Greg Brady’s fantasy anyway.

• • • • •

(Cue the theme music):

Here’s the story of a boy named Brady,

Who was praised for his pitching by “Big D.”

He thought he was heading to the big leagues,

But it was not to be.

… The Brady Bunch … the Brady Bunch …

Alright, those aren’t the original words to the “The Brady Bunch” opening theme song, but they do describe this episode.

Future Hall-of-Fame fireballer Don Drysdale is visiting the Brady house to meet with Mike (the Brady Dad), an architect who has designed the pitcher’s new home. Mike also has an ulterior motive: He wants to introduce Drysdale to his sons Greg, Peter and Bobby who are practicing ball in the backyard.

Of course, the boys are thrilled to meet the star hurler – especially the oldest, Greg, who pitches in the Pony League. Greg shows “Big D.” what he’s got and Drysdale responds “Hey, that had good stuff on it. You’ve got a great motion there. You might be in the big leagues someday … the Dodgers are always looking for a good arm.”

The compliment goes straight to Greg’s head. Greg hears the word “will,” instead of “might” (be in the big leagues). He’s convinced he’s on the fast track to the majors. Greg’s whole life is now focused on baseball. He even gives his youngest sister, Cindy, an autograph explaining “it’s going to be worth a lot of money someday.” His parents are exasperated as Greg even neglects his schoolwork. (“I’m going to be a baseball player. They don’t have to know anything,” he says.)

Finally, Mike asks Drysdale back to the house to try to let some air out of Greg’s overinflated view of baseball life. But to no avail. With his next game approaching, Greg boasts “They’ll be lucky to hit a foul tip off me.”

You can probably guess what happens next.

Yuuuuup. The Brady phenom gets clobbered – giving up 12 runs in the first inning. The balloon has popped. Greg is devastated as he comes back down to earth with a tremendous thud. … But in typical Brady Bunch fashion, he has learned a life lesson the hard way and will be better for it.

The Brady Bunch premiered on ABC in the fall of 1969 and ran for five seasons. The Bradys were a blended family made up of Mike and his three sons and Carol and her three daughters. (Plus, live-in housekeeper, Alice.) It was producer Sherwood Schwartz’s second TV hit – the first being Gilligan’s Island. It was a family comedy featuring good, clean fun – corny at times, but not as goofy as Gilligan.

Schwartz came up with the idea for the show a few years before its debut. Coincidentally, two blended-family movies were released the previous year: “With Six You Get Eggroll” starring Doris Day and Brian Keith; and “Yours, Mine and Ours” with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball.

Due to injuries, Drysdale’s playing days ended prematurely at age 34 just six months before this episode aired. (In fact, he mentions that when trying to lower Greg’s expectations about a baseball career.) Among his many accomplishments were 49 shutouts during his 14 years in the majors. In 1968, Drysdale set a new record for consecutive innings pitched without giving up a run. His first baseball card was in the 1957 Topps set.

THE MAIN CAST:

• Robert Reed – as Mike (The Father)
• Florence Henderson – as Carol (The Mother)
• Barry Williams – as Greg
• Maureen McCormick – as Marcia, Marcia, Marcia
• Christopher Knight – as Peter
• Eve Plumb – as Jan
• Mike Lookinland – as Bobby
• Susan Olsen – as Cindy
• Ann B. Davis – as Alice (The Housekeeper)

• • •

Episode: “The Undergraduate” (1970)

In an earlier episode called “The Undergraduate” (1970), the focus is also on the oldest Brady son, Greg. Uh oh. Seems Greg has got the love bug. Bad. Like really, really bad. He’s all day-dreamy and gaga over a mysterious “Linda.” His parents can’t figure out who Linda is. All they know is that out of the blue Greg is failing math class.

Then it hits them. Linda is Greg’s math teacher. When Greg’s father goes to have a talk with her, she mentions her fiancé is waiting in the parking lot. Turns out it’s Dodger first baseman Wes Parker. He ends up meeting Greg who is thrilled to bits. Parker makes a deal with Greg: If he raises his math grade, the Dodger will arrange for tickets to a game. … Parker’s role was brief, but a nice, unexpected surprise ending.

***Greg meets another Dodger, Wes Parker***

1966 Topps

Parker was considered one of the best fielding first basemen ever, with six straight Gold Gloves during his nine years in the majors (1964-72). By far his best year at the plates was 1970 when batted .319, had 111 RBIs, 196 hits and led the National League with 47 doubles. Careerwise, he played 1,288 games, hit .267, with 64 homers and 470 RBIs, plus a .996 fielding percentage.

FUN FACT:

According to a 2018 Society for American Baseball Research – SABR – article, Parker is a collector of many things. Among them are 800 first editions of baseball books.

NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch THE BRADY BUNCH” … 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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EXCLUSIVELY FOR BaseballCardFun.com

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