When I was four years old, the very first movie I got to see on the big screen was Superman starring Christopher Reeve. It was an palpate that I will never forget. an additional one palpate that I will never forget happened four years later when I was introduced to the game of baseball. With that being said, what would be a best way to express two of my popular activities than to list my top 10 list of baseball themed movies and see if some of the movies on my list made it on your list. So if you are a lover of baseball and a lover of movies then you have come to the right place.
The following list will be ranked starting at #10 and end with my #1 baseball themed movie.
Charlie Sheen
10.) Soul of the Game (1996) - This movie centers on the association in the middle of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson who were stars of the Negro Leagues. It stars BlAir Underwood, Delroy Lindo, and Mykelti Williamson respectively as the three players. At first, when Jackie Robinson signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers there is animosity toward him by the other two but they soon come to terms with the decision. This movie also focuses on Satchel Paige's age and Josh Gibson's reasoning illness.
9.) Bull Durham (1988) - Kevin Costner stars as "Crash" Davis, a 12 year veteran of the minor leagues who is unwillingly sent down to the single-A Durham Bulls to help tutor rookie pitcher Ebby LaLoosh, played by Tim Robbins, put in order for production the major leagues. This movie also stars Susan Sarandon as Annie, a baseball "groupie" who starts a association with LaLoosh. With the help of Annie and Crash, Ebby LaLoosh eventually makes the majors but Crash is released by the Durham Bulls soon after and joins an additional one team where he breaks the minor league home run record. In the end, Crash and Annie end up together.
8.) The Natural (1984) - Robert Redford plays baseball player Roy Hobbs, who at the age of 35 ultimately makes it to the major leagues despite overcoming several obstacles in his life. First his father dies suddenly after collapsing under a tree. When that tree splits in two from a lightning strike Roy carves a baseball bat out of it, on which he burns the image of a lightning bolt and labels it "Wonderboy". At the age of 19, he is on his way to try out for the Chicago Cubs when he is seduced by a woman who shoots him in the stomach, ultimately causing a setback in his playing career. When he ultimately gets his shot he is one of the best in the sport. Who could forget the climatic ending when he hits the ball and it makes the stadium lights explode as he rounds the bases. This movie was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Glenn Close), Cinematography, Art Direction, and Music.
7.) Eight Men Out (1988) - This film is a dramatization of the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal, in which eight players for the Chicago White Sox conspired with gamblers to throw the 1919 World Series. It stars John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, and D.B. Sweeney as Buck Weaver, Happy Felsch, and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, respectively. My popular scene is when the kid says to "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, "Say it 'aint so Joe."
6.) The Babe (1992) - John Goodman stars in this biopic about the best baseball player who ever lived, Babe Ruth. This movie spans his life from the age of 7 until his withdrawal in 1935. Contrary to popular beliefs, a lot of the dramatics in the movie were fabricated such as when he hit two home runs for the sick boy and at the end when he hit three home runs in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and abruptly ended his career. Although the film did poorly at the box-office, it was still superbly acted by John Goodman.
5.) Mr. 3000 (2004) - What a delight this movie was. It stars Bernie Mac as a reTired ball player named Stan Ross, who after being reTired for nine years comes to find out that he does not have 3,000 hits but instead has only 2,997. He then makes plans to rejoin his old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, to reclaim his glory and his rightful place in history. The best scene is at the end when he has a opportunity to get his 3,000th hit but instead chooses to bunt the ball so the quick "T-Rex" Pennebaker can score from 2nd base and put them in third place in their division. This movie also stars Angela Bassett as Bernie Mac's love interest.
4.) A League of Their Own (1992) - This movie was a huge success when it was released, production it the #1 movie by its second week, ultimately grossing 2,000,000 on a ,000,000 budget. It stars Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell and revolves around the Rockford Peaches, one of the first expert woMen's baseball teams. Who could forget the excellent line uttered by Tom Hanks, "Are you crying? There's no crying! There's no crying in baseball!"
3.) The Rookie (2002) - This is the story of Jim Morris, played by Dennis Quaid, who once had a shot at the big leagues when he was younger but was not able to fulfill his dream because of arm trouble. Fifteen years after his opportunity he is a high school science instructor and baseball coach who makes a bet with his players that if they make all-district he will try out for a expert baseball team. His team does their part so he must now live up to his part of the bargain. He tries out for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and after an impressive showing where he is able to throw 98 mph on twelve right pitches he is given a shot at the majors. The movie concludes as the 35 year old rookie makes his Major League debut against the Texas Rangers, whom he strikes out the first batter he faces on three right pitches.
2.) 61* (2001) - After much consideration, I decided that this movie should be my second popular baseball movie instead of my first. It stars Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane as Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle and centers on the 1961 baseball season where they were both locked in the chase to come to be the first to break Babe Ruth's home run article of 60 home runs in a season. The story focuses in general on Roger Maris as he went through a lot of bad publicity from the fans and media because they felt that Mickey Mantle should be the one to break the record. Unfortunately for Mantle, he had to drop out of the season with 54 home runs and Maris was able to take the title on the last day of the season. On a side note, this movie was directed by avid Yankees fan, Billy Crystal.
1.) Field of Dreams (1989) - This was Kevin Costner's second baseball movie and undoubtably his best. He plays Ray Kinsella, a novice farmer from Iowa who hears a voice in his corn field say "If you build it, he will come." Upon hearing the voice, he decides he should build a baseball field in the middle of his corn field and in turn, puts him on the verge of bankruptcy. After a visit from a ball player who turns out to be "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, he decides that it is worth it and he will soon hear the voice again two more times that will take him on a journey that will ultimately lead to peace and redemption. The movie concludes with Ray and a younger version of his father having a game of catch, which as a kid, Ray had refused and never got a opportunity at reconciliation. Field of Dreams was also nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Music, and Best traditional Score and also featured Burt Lancaster in his last film role.
So there you have it folks, my personal top 10 list of popular baseball movies. There were so many to choose from but with a lot of study and consider I am pleased with my choice and hope that you as well have been pleased with reading about them as I have been writing them. So in closing, I would like to leave you with one final question.
How many on my list are on your list?
My Top 10 beloved Baseball MoviesRelated : Buy Shopping Discount Naacp Image Awards 2011 Pasta Pot
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