Recently on Facebook, I listed my twenty favorite films. There were a few sports films in the mix and one baseball film specifically. See if you can guess what I feel is the best baseball film of all time as I count down my ten favorite baseball flicks.
10. Angels in the Outfield - (1994) An underrated and entertaining movie. Far-fetched for sure but fun for the kids.
9. The Naked Gun - (1988) Not a movie about baseball but the movie reaches its climax at the Big A in Anaheim as Reggie Jackson tries to assassinate the Queen Mum. Leslie Nielson as an umpire was hilarious.
8. Eight Men Out - (1988) An underrated film for sure - the true story of the 1913 Chicago "Black Sox." One of America's most notorious scandals.
7. Major League - (1989) This was the movie to see when I was in eighth grade. In the late eighties the Indians really were as bad as the movie depicted. Famous line from Bob Eucker: "Juuussst a bit outside."
6. Field of Dreams - (1988) A great tale of redemption and following your dreams with a little lesson in faith mixed in.
5. Bull Durham - (1988) Considered by some to be the best baseball movie ever. Good flick about life in the minors.
4. Sandlot - (1993) Baseball through the eyes of kids. I lived this movie as a child. Nineties pop-culture quote: "You're killin' me Smalls."
3. The Pride of the Yankees - (1942) There have been few movies in the history of American film in which the actor, in this case Gary Cooper, does a more seamless job of portraying his subject, the great Lou Gehrig. Though the movie is a classic, it's also a real downer.
2. *61 - (2001) This made for HBO movie is without doubt the best baseball movie you have never seen. It is exceptional. Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane are dead on in their portrayals of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle respectively. The film gives great insight to the struggles Roger Maris faced while chasing Babe Ruth's single-season home-run record.
1. The Natural - (1984) One of the best movies ever - baseball or not. There are two scenes in the Natural that give me goose-bumps every time I see them. The scenes where Roy Hobbs crushes the clock at Wrigley and the one where Hobbs smashes the bank of stadium lights creating a pseudo fire-work display with sparks falling all around him while he is circling the bases to score the winning run in the game against the Pirates are classic scenes from American cinema.
If I missed anything, feel free to put me in my place. I know I left some good ones off the list. Let me hear what you think.
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You stated that you left some movies off the list and you were aware of this, but here are a few more favorites:
ReplyDeleteAmerican Pastime - After the attack on Pearl Harbor in WW2 the Japanese living in the U.S. were imprisoned...and lost their freedom. In an effort to make a home for themselves and regain their dignity a group of Japanese prisoners start a baseball league and challenge the Americans to an unforgettable game. And while the story is filled with some cliche moments and the baseball scenes lack the big budget feel, historically it is a great account of the WW2 experience for many Japanese Americans and baseball just happens to be a main theme.
The Rookie - Who can forget Dennis Quaid's portrayal of Jim Morris, teacher and high school baseball coach, who turns pro as a major league pitcher after reexamining a life long dream. Jim puts his baseball career on hold following an injury and then is caught up by life as it always happens. Along this inspirational journey the movie is accurately produced and is done so very well. This film will not disappoint.
Just a few more favorites.
What about a League of Their Own? That's also a great movie based around WW2 that focuses on the development of a league of women playing because many major league male players were drafted into the armed forces service. It has lots of humor and is a fun story based on true events. And don't forget the greats in the movie like Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell (if she can be referred to as a great), and Mr. Tom Hanks. I recommend this one.
ReplyDeletethe sandlot is another great one.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was mentioned. :)
ReplyDelete