Team in Turmoil

Infobox Television episode
Title = Team in Turmoil
Series = The Bronx is Burning
Season = 1
Episode = 1
Airdate = Start date|2007|07|17
Writer =
Director =
Prev = The Straw
Next = Time for a Change?

Team in Turmoil is the second episode of the ESPN's minseries The Bronx Is Burning. It debuted on July 17, 2007, it was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by Gordon Greisman.

Plot

On March 27, 1977, Steinbrenner and Martin reconcile and apologize to each other for the tirade that occurred in the Yankee clubhouse that day before. After the credits, the Yankees get ready to play on Opening Day. Martin gives a speech to the team saying that they will win the World Series this year. The Yankees beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Opening Day. However, the Yankees soon struggle and lose with an injured Jackson. After the Yankees lose five straight games, Steinbrenner is upset and demands that Jackson be in the lineup. On April 17, 1977, the Son of Sam kills two more people. The press dubbs the killer as the ".44 caliber killer" as people become scared to walk the streets. The NYPD creates the Omega Task Force to capture the killer. Detective Timothy Dowd (Stephen Lang) is put in charge of the Omega Task Force.

As the Yankees drop to last place of the American League East, Martin decides to let Jackson pick names out of Martin's hat to make the lineup. This superstitious move propels the Yankees to first place in the AL East. With the winning streak, the team chemistry improves. The .44 caliber killer leaves a note to the NYPD at a crime scene. In the note, the killer calls himself the "Son of Sam" and Mr. Monster. The killer taunts the police and tells them that he will kill again. A psychologist advises the police that the killer may be mentally unstable.

Jackson's interview is released in SPORT magazine. When the team reads the interview, they refuse to talk with Jackson. As a result, Jackson becomes a loner. After Jackson hits a home run against the Boston Red Sox, he doesn't shake hands with his teammates. Later, Jackson finds a necktie with the phrase "suck my ass" in his locker. Jackson talks with Martin and Steinbrenner about it. Martin tells Jackson to apologize to each person on the team, individually, which Jackson reluctantly agrees to do.

Meanwhile, the election race for mayor of New York is heating up. Incumbent mayor Abraham Beame is challenged by Representative Ed Koch, New York Secretary of State Mario Cuomo, and feminist activist Bella Abzug for the Democratic nomination.

During a game, Thurman Munson (Erik Jensen) doesn't shake Jackson's hand after a Chris Chambliss home run. Eventually, Jackson goes to talk with Gabe Paul, demanding a trade, which Paul refuses. Steinbrenner tells Munson to make a statement to the press about the handshaking incident. Meanwhile, the Son of Sam sends a letter to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin (Michael Rispoli).