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Everybody Loves Raymond
S1.E12
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  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Ball

  • Episode aired Dec 20, 1996
  • TV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
657
YOUR RATING
Peter Boyle in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)
Comedy

Ray is so shattered when he discovers that the autographed Mickey Mantle baseball his father gave him as a child is a fake, that he wants to tell Ally that there is no Santa Claus.Ray is so shattered when he discovers that the autographed Mickey Mantle baseball his father gave him as a child is a fake, that he wants to tell Ally that there is no Santa Claus.Ray is so shattered when he discovers that the autographed Mickey Mantle baseball his father gave him as a child is a fake, that he wants to tell Ally that there is no Santa Claus.

  • Director
    • Jeff Meyer
  • Writers
    • Phil Rosenthal
    • Bruce Kirschbaum
    • Ray Romano
  • Stars
    • Ray Romano
    • Patricia Heaton
    • Brad Garrett
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    657
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeff Meyer
    • Writers
      • Phil Rosenthal
      • Bruce Kirschbaum
      • Ray Romano
    • Stars
      • Ray Romano
      • Patricia Heaton
      • Brad Garrett
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

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    Top cast9

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    Ray Romano
    Ray Romano
    • Ray Barone
    Patricia Heaton
    Patricia Heaton
    • Debra Barone
    Brad Garrett
    Brad Garrett
    • Robert Barone
    Madylin Sweeten
    Madylin Sweeten
    • Ally Barone
    Doris Roberts
    Doris Roberts
    • Marie Barone
    Peter Boyle
    Peter Boyle
    • Frank Barone
    Andy Kindler
    Andy Kindler
    • Andy
    Sawyer Sweeten
    Sawyer Sweeten
    • Geoffrey Barone
    Sullivan Sweeten
    Sullivan Sweeten
    • Michael Barone
    • Director
      • Jeff Meyer
    • Writers
      • Phil Rosenthal
      • Bruce Kirschbaum
      • Ray Romano
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    7.5657
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    Featured reviews

    9MrBluenote

    Keep Your Kids Happy

    Not spoiling anything here as in the summary you can see Ray has a fake Mickey Mantle autographed baseball that was given to him by his dad. How heartbreaking! His dad was just trying to keep his son happy.

    Actually this is a very funny episode from Season 1. So far I'm through about a dozen episodes. So far "The Ball" and "Standard Deviation" have been the standout shows for me.

    Shame I didn't see this series when it was airing about 25 years ago.
    8studioAT

    The Ball

    Every sitcom needs a few excellent episodes in its first year for it to become memorable, and this is one of those for 'ELR'.

    It showed us that these aren't just cardboard cut out characters spouting jokes, there is depth behind them too, and the final scene shows that perfectly.

    Lovely stuff.
    9ShooShooFontana

    Yet another reason to hate Debra

    So, let me get this straight... It's okay for a wife to yank her husband's hair? If Ray (or any husband) pulled their wife's hair we would be appalled and expect jail, divorce, a restraining order, or SOME form of revenge/justice. And her snapping her fingers at his head? Why is that abuse acceptable (and funny?) from her when it would be criminal if he did it? Not okay from either spouse.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The moment when Ray kisses Frank on the forehead was scripted. Ray Romano originally didn't want to do it because he didn't like doing anything that he wouldn't normally do. Phil Rosenthal decided not to pressure Romano and told him that he should only do it if he "was feeling the moment" during the taping.
    • Goofs
      Robert claims Art Shamsky hit a home run in his first at bat. This is not true. He happen to homer in his first minor league at bat in 1960 with the Geneva Redlegs, but not his first major league at bat.
    • Quotes

      Robert Barone: [Robert enters the house dressed as Santa Claus] Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! Is Ally here? I understand there are doubts about me in this house.

      Ray Barone: There are now. Come on, Robert.

      Robert Barone: No, no. You have me mistaken for some other party. For I am the jolly old St. Nick. Ho, ho, ho! Mom told me what you did. Nice.

      Debra Barone: Hey, Ally look. It's Santa Claus!

      Ray Barone: Oh, God.

      Ally Barone: Santa?

      Robert Barone: Yes! It is really I! And I came to see *you*, Ally because I heard you were a very good girl this year and you're going to get everything you want. Ho, ho, ho!

      [He turns towards Ray]

      Robert Barone: Unlike some other people. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

      Ray Barone: Yeah, hold the ho's. I wanna talk to you for a minute Santa.

      Robert Barone: I'm sorry! I'm with a client. And you may call me Mr. Claus. Ho, ho, ho, ho!

      [Frank runs in also dressed as Santa]

      Frank Barone: Where's Ally? Ho, ho.

      [He sees Robert]

      Frank Barone: Holy crap! What are you doing here?

      Robert Barone: I'm Santa Claus.

      Frank Barone: You're Santa?

      Ray Barone: Alright, alright. Will you guys cut it out? Come on. She's confused enough already.

      Frank Barone: What's there to be confused about? I'm the *real* Santa Claus! Who is *this* imposter?

      Debra Barone: Well, you couldn't both be Santa. You must be... Santa's helpers.

      Frank Barone: Right! He's my helper.

      [to Robert]

      Frank Barone: Hey, helper! Why don't you go warm up the reindeer and bring the sled around?

    • Crazy credits
      The Where's Lunch production logo shows a plate of cheese, apple slices, bread and grapes, with peanut butter and jelly dip.
    • Connections
      Referenced in 60 Minutes: Say It Isn't So.../Shoot Not to Kill/Too Tough? (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Everybody Loves Raymond Theme
      Written by Rick Marotta

      Performed by Rick Marotta

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 5, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Where's Lunch
      • Worldwide Pants
      • HBO Independent Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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