The Goldbergs season 5, episode 20 recap: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

This week on The Goldbergs, Barry gets the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Phillies Game. Meanwhile, at college, Erica makes an important decision about her aspiring music career.

It was 1980-something and Barry finally has an opportunity to make one of his dreams come true. As a diehard Phillies fan, Barry has always wanted to be a member of the team but first, he needs to showcase his skills. Fortunately, through Adam, he gets his opportunity to shine.

The episode of The Goldbergs titled “The Opportunity of a Lifetime,” also put Erica’s dreams at center stage. After deciding that college might not be for her, she and her friends take a chance at becoming rockstars. Just as with Barry’s dreams, things don’t go as smoothly as they hoped.

Bring the thunder

Barry is trying to win a radio contest so he can throw out the first pitch at an upcoming Phillies game. While he attempts explaining his mathematical approach at being the correct caller, Adam gets on the phone and wins the contest. By bribing Adam to let him take the pitch at Veterans Stadium, Barry promises he will protect him from their mom’s snuggles.

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Murray quickly learns about Barry’s new opportunity and becomes so proud. They both share this crazy idea that Barry can use this as a way to “dazzle the Phillies with his arm” resulting in an immediate signing. Beverly learns that 65,000 people will be witnessing this pitch in person and she is worried that her son will cave under the pressure. Murray is so stuck at living this dream through Barry, Beverly initially keeps her doubts to herself.

The Tangles

Erica is showing Lainey around her campus as the two list everything they love about college. It turns out they both hate college and miss everything about high school, including being able to hang out together. On a whim, the duo decides they should drop out of college and start a band. Valley Erica shares that she can be the drummer because she has extensive experience as an air drummer. Nothing can go wrong, right?

At the first band practice, the girls think they are on a roll. With a killer intro and a new look, they decide on a band name–The Tangles. They need to come up with an original song so they decide to riff a little before they start to create something very catchy. Unbeknownst to them, the song is eerily similar to a Joan Jett song. Once Valley Erica tells the group that she can get them a gig at CBGB, they are full steam ahead with this band.

Sports goggles

Beverly goes to Coach Mellor to get advice about the Barry situation. At this point, Barry has already told the whole school that he will soon be the Phillies next superstar. Knowing Barry, Mellor thinks there is a good chance that he will blind a peanut vendor. He explains to Beverly that Murray is acting like a typical father with “sports goggles” on, meaning he is ignoring all doubts because he wants his son to succeed in a sport even with no chance. This just proves to Beverly that she must shut down this pitching chance.

Back at home, Murray is getting Barry all ready for his big day. Besides massaging Barry’s throwing arm, he has also gifted his son a brand new Phillies jersey. Murray shares that he is living his dream through Barry since he too had fantasies of playing for the Phillies. Beverly finally reveals her worries and does not want her son to be a laughing stock but Murray stands by Barry.

Murray takes Barry outside to practice his poses for his Topps trading cards when he becomes a famous baseball player. Beverly tries to apologize and brings Barry a basket of balls to practice throwing. Barry never realizes how far away the mound is so his throws are pretty erratic. Murray then realizes that Beverly might be right and this could be a bad idea.

Dream big

The Tangles play their gig at CBGB and it certainly does not go as plan. Geoff is there for support but the rest of the crowd are not impressed. They are told they cannot continue playing if they are a cover band. It doesn’t take long for Erica to figure out they ripped off other bands and that their group has nothing original. Her dreams disappear quickly but while stuck at the bus station after the van was stolen, she stands by her decision. Forming the band was the most fun Erica had since college so she still plans to drop out and follow a different dream. Just wait until her parents find out.

Murray contemplates letting Adam take the pitch but he refuses. This opportunity of a lifetime is ultimately tearing the family apart. Barry learns that Murray is also having doubts and becomes so bummed, he takes all of his Phillies memorabilia down in his room. Murray confesses that he took things too far because he was living through Barry’s dream. Beverly also apologizes and tells Barry to just go throw the pitch and have fun. Murray gets his proud dad moment while watching his son throw out the first pitch while Beverly watches at home on TV.

Next: The Goldbergs season 5, episode 19 recap: Flashy Little Flashdancer

In a fun moment, the series shows footage of the real-life Barry throw out the first pitch with actor Troy Gentile (who plays Barry) at a Phillies game. He finally got to meet the Phillie Phanatic and his Phillies idol, Mike Schmidt.

New episodes of The Goldbergs air Wednesday nights on ABC at 8/7c!