The Game's Not as Easy as It Looks, Fellas

Infobox Television episode
Title = The Game's Not as Easy as It Looks, Fellas
Series = The Bronx is Burning
Season = 1
Episode = 6
Airdate = Start date|2007|08|14
Production =
Writer =
Director =
Prev = Caught!
Next = Past Combatants

The Game's Not as Easy as it Looks, Fellas is the sixth episode of the ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning. It debuted on August 14, 2007. It was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by Gordon Greisman.

Plot

In the beginning of the episode, it is announced that Ed Koch defeated Mario Cuomo for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City. The Yankees clinch the American League East and Martin (John Turturro) asks Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) for a new contract. Steinbrenner tells Martin that he won't negotiate in the press, and talks of a contract will be sorted out in the offseason. He also ominously mentions to Martin that "nobody is indispensable, not even in success."

The Yankees advance to the ALCS to face the Kansas City Royals for the right to play in the World Series. The series begins on October 5, with the Royals decisively winning game one at Yankee Stadium.The Yankees are dealt a blow when starting pitcher Don Gullett is unable to play for the remainder of the series. The Royals take an early lead in game two, when a Kansas City player appears to take a late slide into second base on a double play attempt. Martin vociferously argues for an interference call with the second base umpire, while quietly admitting he's trying to light a fire under his players, who don't seem to be in the game mentally. Martin's tirade works and the Yankees tie the series at one game apiece. Jackson (Daniel Sunjata), however, struggles during the first two games, getting only one hit in eight at bats.

The series shifts to Kansas City, and the Royals dominate game three to take a two games to one advantage, meaning the Yankees must win games four and five or risk not returning to the World Series. Munson and Steinbrenner make statements implying that Jackson is the reason behind the Yankees' struggles. Jackson confides to Fran Healy that he feels he will shoulder the blame if the Yankees don't repeat as American League champions. The Yankees take an early 4-0 lead in game four, but the score is narrowed to 5-4 in the fourth inning. Martin decides to go to closer Sparky Lyle, which Steinbrenner, watching the game from the students' lounge at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, which he is touring with his daughter, comments as a "bonehead" move. Nevertheless, the move pays off as the Yankees hang on for a 6-4 victory.

In game five, Martin decides he will bench Jackson, since he is 1-for-14 in the series, and has a bad history against Royals pitcher Paul Splittorff. He tells Healy to tell Jackson since he believes Jackson won't listen if he tells him himself. Jackson is not happy with the decision, but reluctantly approves the choice; he shows he cares about his teammates by cheering them on as Martin watches him every time. Late in the game, with the Royals leading 3-1 in the top of the eighth, Martin summons Jackson to pinch-hit, and Reggie drives Willie Randolph in to cut the Royals' lead to 3-2. The Yankees then score three runs in the ninth and win 5-3, winning the AL pennant and advancing to the 1977 World Series.