5x17 - America's Pride

May 2, 2009

Gibson comes on in the eighth with only one out and the US trailing 2-0. He is disgusted by how the US has played without caring what their fans think of their performance. His speech wakes the minds and attitudes of the other players, and they escape the inning without giving up any other scores. In the top of the ninth Gibson Junior begins the inning with a base hit. America scores 6 runs and wins 6-2. After the game Gibson is told he won't pitch in the finals due to his heart condition. The next day Goro spends time with Shingo. They go and spend the day at the amusement park. Shingo asks Goro if their mom told him he plans to quit baseball. Goro tells him he doesn't mind if Shingo quits baseball, that he just needs to have fun doing whatever he chooses and become a better person. As Goro drops Shingo back off at his room though, he receives the news that Gibson collapsed during practice and has been rushed to the hospital.