Pitchers and catchers report Monday
By Shannon Menefee
Staff Writer
Finally, the Super Bowl has been played. Our football anxiety over the champions is calm. Yes, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, which was a stunner to everyone. So now what do we have to look forward to in the bitter cold month of February? The answer is baseball.
I know what you’re thinking…it’s a little early. And yes basketball is still going on and the NCAA tournaments are quickly approaching, but what we are all waiting for is America’s pastime to come out from winter hibernation.
So, now the major question is, how do we get ready for baseball when there is still around 8 inches of snow on the ground? We cannot go out and, “Have a catch” or hit some grounders or pop-ups for practice. But we can watch some movies, the movies we have grown up with, and the movies that get us in the All-American baseball spirit.
Cabin fever is getting to all of us, and summer is on all of our minds. All you have to do is sit back, avoid looking out the window, lose yourself in some classic baseball movies and wait for Spring Training.
These are my picks for the top ten baseball movies of all time. You may argue their placement I have given them, but all in all they are some great baseball flicks.
- Pride of the Yankees (1942) - This is for the true baseball fan at heart. For the fans who let the game be more than a game. The true story of Lou Gehrig, played by Gary Cooper is a definite tear jerker, even for the men. The devotion, courage, and pure talent of Gehrig proves that baseball is more than a game, it’s a way of life.
- The Rookie (2002) – Another true story staring Dennis Quaid, shows how baseball is the dream that can become a reality for any man with ambition. Quaid plays Jimmy Morris, who had an actual shot at playing but blew his shoulder out and ended up teaching high school science in Texas. As a high school baseball coach he made a promise to his team that he would try out if they won the district championship he would try out for the majors. Finally, Morris ends up trying out and makes his major debut, but stays true to the game as he makes his dream come true.
- Eight Men Out (1988) – True stories seem to be making the top of this list because we all know this is how baseball shaped America. Now this is not your run of the mil baseball movie, it involves heart, talent, and conspiracy. It’s the story of the Chicago Black Sox. Now I know we are all used to the Chicago White Sox, but in 1919 the south side team became fatefully known as the Black Sox for one major reason: money. Bribes were given and accepted by players, specifically eight of them, if they purposely lost the 1919 World Series. Since the athletes were underpaid, they accepted and were caught for cheating on the field and changed the way some Americans think of baseball forever.
- Field of Dreams (1989) – The 1980’s seem to be one of the best decades for baseball classics. Although this is not a true story, it touches the heart of every man. This is definitely a movie you need to watch more than once, and it does resemble a fantasy. It’s the story of a man; following a voice he cannot disregard in order to follow a dream. With much research, little money and only the support of his wife, Ray Kinsella played by Kevin Costner, turns his Iowa cornfield into a baseball field, where his dreams become a reality.
- Bull Durham (1988) – Is a movie that shows how every man starts at the bottom. They go through the minors in order to go to “the show.” In fact, some may never see, “the show.” Kevin Costner plays Crash Davis, a beat up catcher, who went to the majors and returns to the minors. He then goes to mentor Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh, played by Tim Robbins. Nuke is fresh meat and stubborn. Crash shows him the basics and tells him that he will never make it to “the show,” unless he focuses on the game, which means he needs to keep sex and sports separate, which angers Annie Savoy played by Susan Sarandon. Yes, Bull Durham shows the hardships in the minors and in relationships.
- A League of Their Own (1992) - Yes, boys I put a baseball movie in that’s all about the girls. What was America supposed to do when the men went to war in 1943? The girls took over and put the, “Girls can’t play baseball,” line to shame. With an all-star cast including: Tom Hanks, Gary Marshall, Rosie O’Donnell, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Jon Lovitz show how a team of girls can make it to the All-American Girls Baseball League. Even though the league only lasted a few years, it opened doors for girls everywhere to pick up a mitt and get some, “Dirt in the skirt.”
- Major League (1989) - This baseball comedy shows how a bunch of low caliber baseball players can prove their actual ability, once they get past their personal problems. The new owner of the Cleveland Indians learns she will obtain more money if she can move the team, so she puts together a team of losers in order to make the move easier. Once the manager finds out, he uses that as his, “Tackling fuel,” (pardon the Waterboy reference) in order to gain the division title and show that Cleveland does have something to be proud of after a 34 year dry spell.
- Angels in the Outfield (1994) - This Disney fantasy of a boy with a big prayer to see his father, prove that baseball is the root of all our solutions to our problems. Roger, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is the only boy who can see the angels who are helping the baseball playing Anaheim Angels. He proves himself to manager George Knox, played by Danny Glover and makes the decision and converses with Al the Boss Angel, played by Christopher Lloyd. The angels guide Anaheim to the Pennant and leave it all up to Anaheim to gain the win.
- For the Love of the Game (1999) – Ok, I know Kevin Costner has been the star in two other amazing baseball movies, but what can I say, he’s gifted when it comes to acting in baseball movies. But in this one, he is completely different from his other two characters. He plays Billy Chapel, a soon to be washed out pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, in the middle of pitching a no-hitter and suddenly we flashback through his entire career. Not only do we see his career and relationship with Jane Aubrey, played by Kelly Preston. But we get to see what it’s like to be in the head of a player. Many fans do not understand the mentality of the game and by watching this movie a fan will gain more respect for what the players actually have to go through mentally, emotionally and especially physically.
- Rookie of the Year (1993) - I know, some may say they could name five other movies that could top this one. But as kids we always say we’re going to be an astronaut, doctor, and more popularly a baseball player. Now kids can see 12-year-old Henry Rowengartner, played by Thomas Ian Nicholas, break his arm accidentally and after it heals realize he has the ability to throw a 100-mile-per-hour pitch. While sitting in the bleachers above the historic ivy at Wrigley Field he throws back a home run from right field all the way to home plate. Obviously the Cubs pursue him, since they have always been in need of pitchers and he becomes the star pitcher for the Cubs and learns that fame is not all he thought it would be. And I will admit that I also put this movie in the list because I am a die-hard Cubbie fan and I needed my home team in the list somewhere.
Now you have been given my picks for ten of the best baseball movies ever. There is a diverse selection of true stories, controversy, fantasy, and the minor and mental aspect of the game. Spring Training and the 2008 season is quickly approaching, so go out and rent or buy these amazing flicks and get ready. Good luck to all of you baseball fans and your favorite teams. But it’s been 100 years since the Cubs last won the World Series and I have to say they’re due, this is their year.
