Summary
Babe Dugan is the undisputed king of the Angels baseball diamond, but his off-field habits are a far cry from royalty. Known for a uniform that carries the grime of a dozen games and a perpetual habit of chewing tobacco, Dugan is a nightmare for Vernie, the meticulous laundress responsible for his kit. What begins as a professional grievance evolves into a tentative romance after an accidental injury brings the two together. As Dugan falls for Vernie, he finds himself caught between his identity as a rugged ballplayer and the 'civilized' man Vernie wishes him to be. The domestic tension peaks over a set of decorative spittoons, leading to a rift that threatens Dugan's performance on the field. The story culminates in a high-stakes game where the conflict between vice and virtue is resolved not through moral reform, but through the realization that a player is only as good as the habits that ground him.
Synopsis
Babe Dugan, star player of the Angels baseball team, chews tobacco and gets his uniform dirtier than any of his teammates. Vernie, the laundress who cleans his uniform every week, becomes concerned over his untidiness. Later, Babe accidentally strikes Vernie with a ball during a game and calls her to apologize. Meanwhile, his pal, Peewee, falls in love with Vernie's friend, Georgia. On an outing to an amusement park, a roller coaster throws Vernie into Babe's arms. Soon they are engaged and Vernie plans to reform him. Tensions rise when the team presents the couple with a set of hand-decorated spittoons, and a lovers' quarrel ensues. However, Babe takes the reform idea seriously, despite its negative effect on his game. At a crucial moment in the ninth inning, Vernie relents and throws him a plug of tobacco, prompting the revitalized Babe to hit a home run.
