History Recap / TheSimpsonsS3E17HomerAtTheBat

* DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp: The reason why Jose Canseco couldn't make it to the game is because he is too busy being a hero at a burning house.
* ExactWords: Mr. Burns states that, although there is an outside chance of seven misfortunes, nine misfortunes befalling his players is virtually impossible. This proves accurate as nothing happens to either Darryl Strawberry or Don Mattingly (who was kicked off the team by Burns for his non-existent sideburns).

* HalfWayPlotSwith: The first act revolves around Homer and his "magic" bat, but afterwards the plot switches to the Ringers Mr. Burns hires. [[MakeRoomForTheNewPlot The bat even breaks during the first practice with the pros.]]

* BaitAndSwitch: It looks like the episode will revolve around Homer and his "magic" bat, but the plot switches to the Ringers Mr Burns hires. The bat even breaks during the first practice with the pros.

* HypnoFool: ZigZaggedTrope: Burns hires a hypnotist-slash-motivational speaker for the team, only for his attempt to make the team give more than they had already ("110%") be defeated by the entire team, while hypnotized, point out that it's impossible for someone to give more than 100%. Then one of the SuperRinger members turns out to have reacted bad to the hypnotic therapy and ends the episode thinking he's a chicken. And when Burns gets on the hypnotist's face about that faux pas, the hypnotist hypnotizes Burns into forgiving him.

---> Hypnotist: You are all very good players.
---> Players: [chanting in unison] We are all very good players.
---> Hypnotist: You will beat Shelbyville.
---> Players: [chanting in unison] We will beat Shelbyville.
---> Hypnotist: You will give one hundred and ten percent.
---> Players: [chanting in unison] That's impossible. No one can give more than one hundred percent. By definition that is the most anyone can give.

* Also Averted with the hypnotist:

* HypnoFool: ZigZaggedTrope: Burns hires a hypnotist-slash-motivational speaker for the team, only for his attempt to make the team give more than they had already ("110%") be defeated by the entire team, while hypnotized, point out that it's impossible for someone to give more than 100%. Then one of the SuperRInger members turns out to have reacted bad to the hypnotic therapy and ends the episode thinking he's a chicken. And when Burns gets on the hypnotist's face about that faux pas, the hypnotist hypnotizes Burns into forgiving him.

* HypnoFool: ZigZeggedTrope: Burns hires a hypnotist-slash-motivational speaker for the team, only for his attempt to make the team give more than they had already ("110%") be defeated by the entire team, while hypnotized, point out that it's impossible for someone to give more than 100%. Then one of the SuperRInger members turns out to have reacted bad to the hypnotic therapy and ends the episode thinking he's a chicken.

* Also Averted:

Players: [chanting in unison] We are all very good players.
Hypnotist: You will beat Shelbyville.
Players: [chanting in unison] We will beat Shelbyville.
Hypnotist: You will give one hundred and ten percent.
Players: [chanting in unison] That's impossible. No one can give more than one hundred percent. By definition that is the most anyone can give.

* BackForTheFinale: Ozzie Smith appears on the ending group photo in astral form, due to being trapped in another dimension.

* TemptingFate: Burns finding the idea that his nine players would befall nine calamities before the Shelbyville game hilarious. Technically he's correct. [[spoiler: Only seven players were subject to ridiculous calamities. Mattingly is kicked off because he still didn't get rid of the nonexistent sideburns Burns kept screaming about, and Strawberry still makes it.]]

* AttentionDefecitOohShiny: While screaming in the Springfield Mystery Spot, Ozzie Smith pauses to take a picture.

* WholePlotReference: To ''The Natural'', particularly the film version starring Creator/RobertRedford as a baseball player using a a bat of [[ThunderboltIron Thunderbolt Wood]] from a lightning-struck tree.

BaseballEpisode where Homer and his homemade bat carry the power plants softball team into the championship game. However, Mr. Burns hires players from Major League Baseball to guarantee a victory and win a million dollar bet.

* AsHimself: Wade Boggs; José Canseco; Terry Cashman; Roger Clemens; Ken Griffey, Jr.; Don Mattingly; Steve Sax; Mike Scoscia; Ozzie Smith; Darryl Strawberry

* BackForTheFinale: Ken Griffith Jr appears on the ending group photo in astral form, due to being trapped in another dimension.

* DownToTheLastPlay: Homer is called upon to pinch-hit for Darryl Strawberry with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Thanks to Mr. Burns and his weird HandSignals, Homer becomes distracted and gets knocked-out by a pitch to the head, forcing the winning run to score.

First Aired - 02/20/1992

BaseballEpisode where Homer and his homemade bat carry the power plants softball team into the championship game. However, Mr. Burns hires players from Major League Baseball to guarantee a victory and win a million dollar bet.

* DownToTheLastPlay: Homer is called upon to pinch-hit for Darryl Strawberry with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Thanks to Mr. Burns and his weird HandSignals, Homer becomes distracted and gets knocked-out by a pitch to the head, forcing the winning run to score.
* SpecialGuest: Baseball stars Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ken Griffey Jr., Steve Sax, Don Mattingly, Ozzie Smith, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco and Mike Scoscia all play themselves.

Homer and his homemade bat carry the power plants softball team into the championship game. However, Mr. Burns hires players from Major League Baseball to guarantee a victory.