During the closing scene, George Steinbrenner (Larry David) runs through the names of Yankee managers he had let go. Steinbrenner ended by naming Buck Showalter, adding "...but you didn't hear that from me." Showalter indeed would be let go as Yankees manager by Steinbrenner (George M. Steinbrenner III) two weeks after the episode's original airing then years later Showalter would become manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
The number of times Steinbrenner (Larry David) repeats "Billy Martin" is a reference to the fact the former Yankees manager was a given a multitude of second chances. Out of interest, in gambling circles a second chance is known as a Billy Martin.
Kramer promising Bobby the home runs is based on Babe Ruth telling a hospitalized child named Johnny Sylvester that he would "knock one out" for him during the 1926 World Series. It has been unclear if Sylvester initiated the request himself, or if it had been the idea of his father or uncle as an effort to lift his spirits. Ruth sent a package that included two balls, one autographed by members of the Yankees and the other by players from the Cardinals. Inscribed on the ball was a note from Ruth that read, "I'll knock a homer for you on Wednesday," in Game 4 of the series. Ruth went on to hit three home runs in the game but the Yankees lost the series in seven games. This event was also portrayed in The Pride of the Yankees (1942), starring Gary Cooper & Babe Ruth.
Bobby, the sick kid in the hospital, is played by Thomas Dekker, the same kid Mickey used to stand-in for on All My Children in The Stand-In (1994).