“Play Ball” on the Big Screen
If you want to start an argument all you have to do is put out a list of the best all-time anything because surely more will disagree then agree with you. So as baseball season is underway I thought I would tell you my ten all-time favorite baseball movies. The key here is the word “favorite” because arguing about the best when it comes to movies is simply ludicrous. it’s just a matter of opinion.
Of course I have not seen every baseball-themed movie but these are my favorites:
- 1
Bull Durham
This is generally considered on most lists as the best baseball movie ever and it’s my favorite for many reasons including Kevin Costner, who is great in sports movies.
Susan Sarandon & Tim Robbins are both terrific and the portrayal of life in the minor leagues is authentic and charming.
“Candlesticks always make a nice gift and maybe you can find out where she’s registered and maybe a place setting or silverware pattern. Okay let’s get two.”
- 2
The Natural
Unlike Bull Durham this one is filled with flaws like a road game ending with a home run by the visiting team.
But it doesn’t matter all that much to me because Robert Redford is great as the good guy who wins out at the end.
- 3
Field of Dreams
Costner again and the famous “if you build it he will come.”
- 4
The Sandlot
It’s not this high of most lists but I don’t care. Scotty Smalls, “Squints” Palledorous, “Ham” Porter and of course Wendy Peffercorn make this a classic.
- 5
Bang The Drum Slowly
Considered the “Brian’s Song” of baseball movies with a young Robert DeNiro and Michael Moriarty.
- 6
Major League
Not long on realism and Corbin Bernsenis a real reach as a player but I still watch it when it’s on.
- 7
The Bad News Bears
Snot-nosed kids and Walter Matthau fit perfectly
- 8
A League of their Own
Tom Hanks utters a movie classic, “there’s no crying in baseball.”
- 9
The Rookie
Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, a high school teacher who made it to the majors.
- 10
Fever Pitch
I have to include this because the Red Sox beat the Yankees.