The First Out
Firebird7479
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- Parts 19
"Brokeback Mountain" meets "Bull Durham" in this powerful coming-of-age sports romance about self-acceptance, identity, and the courage to live authentically.
Brad Hawley has always dreamed of playing professional baseball, and his dream comes true when the New Orleans Breakers draft him in the first round. But Brad carries a secret: he is gay. In the homophobic culture of professional baseball, he hides his sexuality, speaking ambiguously of his lover, Taylor, to maintain the illusion that he's straight.
Assigned to the Breakers' farm club, the Bristol Wolves, Brad's on-field skills make him an instant star. Handsome and athletic, he also catches the attention of the young women in town, especially Ashley Cosgrove. Ashley's advances help Brad keep his secret-until she answers his phone and discovers that Taylor isn't a woman.
Ashley agrees to keep Brad's secret, but everything changes when Taylor shows up at the ballpark. The sports media descends on Bristol, thrusting Brad into the national spotlight and forcing him to confront the truth about his identity. As he becomes a symbol for LGBTQ+ rights in sports, Brad faces backlash from his teammates, his homophobic manager, and even his once-proud father, who distances himself from his son.
When Brad's performance falters and an on-field brawl leads to a suspension, he contemplates quitting the game he loves. His only allies are MLB All-Star Steven Chase, who is finishing a steroid-related suspension, and pitching coach Derek Griffin. Together, they convince the Breakers organization to stand by Brad.
During his suspension, Brad finds unexpected support in the LGBTQ+ community, who see him as a role model for self-acceptance and courage. Inspired by their stories, Brad returns to the field with a renewed sense of purpose, embracing his identity and his place as a trailblazer in the world of professional sports.