What's your favorite baseball movie? [Archive]

Writehooks

11-18-2011, 10:18 PM

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), with Michael Moriarty and Robert De Niro.
The original live TV version, which aired on U.S. Steel Hour in 1956, is terrific too. It stars Paul Newman and Albert Salmi.

zljones

11-18-2011, 10:20 PM

8 men out and The Natural for me

mets41

11-19-2011, 12:10 AM

I almost killed Elsa Jansen. She said (of Gary Cooper), "all baseball players are good for nothing." For those needing a refresher course, she played Lou Gehrig's mother in "Pride of the Yankees."

cobblove

11-19-2011, 12:24 AM

Major League!!!
We used to watch it on the bus when we were in the playoffs as a tredition. Justin Ruggiano now playing for Tappa Bay Rays was on my team then 1996-2000 anderson high. The good old days! Love that move period!

johnb3937

11-19-2011, 01:21 AM

I like the Babe!

Phillies*phan

11-19-2011, 04:22 AM

"What'd you want me to do? Dive for it."

iwantitiwinit

11-19-2011, 04:44 AM

Bang the Drum Slowly

leaflover

11-19-2011, 04:57 AM

1. It happens every Spring.(Ray Milland)
2. The Scout(Albert Brooks)
3. The Natural

barrysloate

11-19-2011, 05:01 AM

Field of Dreams and 61* are my favorites.

bh3443

11-19-2011, 05:19 AM

My two favorites are *61 and Sandlot, but there are a bunch that are second to them! I liked The Jimmie Piersall story, and some more of thos B&W ones!

Jason

11-19-2011, 05:27 AM

All the ones mentioned are great.Major League is my favorite.I also liked Costner in The Love Of The Game and Jackie,Satchel,and Josh Gibson in Soul Of The Game.I dont know how accurate it is but its a great story.

aquarius31

11-19-2011, 08:39 AM

Definitely 61* and Field of Dreams (think about Ray Liotta going from Shoeless Joe to a mobster in Good Fellas...great acting IMO)

Bicem

11-19-2011, 08:57 AM

Moneyball for me.

I know I'm in the minority, but I thought Field of Dreams was terrible.

Robextend

11-19-2011, 08:59 AM

Def Major League

3-2-count

11-19-2011, 09:01 AM

Field of Dreams and 61* are my favorites.

My two favorites as well Barry. Bull Durham is a classic to!!

insidethewrapper

11-19-2011, 09:08 AM

The Pride of the Yankees, Sandlot, Field of Dreams.

Worst of all-time is - "The Babe Ruth Story " with William Bendix. Bill almost has that Ruth swing down.

novakjr

11-19-2011, 09:15 AM

I'd have to go with "For the Love of the Game", with "Major League" and "The Natural" a very close 2nd and 3rd. Followed by "Sandlot". Hell, I might even throw a vote towards "Mr. Baseball" making my top 5, although it would probably fall short. Now if we were to include movies only loosely related to baseball, "Baseketball" might be tops... Because, although satirical, it paints a pretty accurate picture of everything that is wrong with sports and/or athletes today. While also noting that our society is at a point, where no matter how innocent something can be, exploitation is inevitable and unavoidable. The good ol' days are gone.

barrysloate

11-19-2011, 09:20 AM

Tony- haven't seen Bull Durham in a long time but I remember I did like it very much. Also shouldn't forget a film like Pride of the Yankees. A bit dated for sure, but still a classic.

And for those who haven't seen it, I recommend Moneyball. Not quite a classic but very good and worth the trip.

Fred

11-19-2011, 01:41 PM

Someone mentioned a movie about Jimmy Piersall, I think it was called "Fear Strikes Out" and Anthony Perkins played Piersall.

tbob

11-19-2011, 04:17 PM

Soul of the Game, Natural, 61 and The Final Season (absolutely fantastic sleeper of a movie).

David Atkatz

11-19-2011, 05:45 PM

"Nice catch, Hayes. Don't ever f%$ckin' do it again."

ArchStanton

11-19-2011, 05:54 PM

Long Gone
The Natural
The Sandlot

Teamsets4u

11-19-2011, 08:38 PM

Bingo long traveling all-stars and motor kings!!!!!

Vintagecatcher

11-19-2011, 08:54 PM

The Natural followed by Field of Dreams.

Patrick

tedzan

11-20-2011, 01:14 AM

DixieBaseball

11-20-2011, 08:12 AM

The Natural by a hair over Field of Dreams...

Clutch-Hitter

11-20-2011, 08:28 AM

The Natural
Major League
The Rookie

Matt

11-20-2011, 09:35 AM

Field of Dreams

Anthony S.

11-20-2011, 11:26 AM

"Field of Dreams"

Can't watch the scene in which he has a catch with his dad at the end without tearing up. Visited the actual field in Dyersville, Iowa. Was driving across country with a buddy and stumbled across it. You could rent a bat, ball, and a couple gloves for a few bucks. Very cool, though my friend couldn't hit a ball if his life depended on it, so I ended up standing in the outfield by the corn with my glove, while he stood at home plate with the bat and swung and missed about 35 times in a row.

"The Natural"

Love the batting practice scene with the home runs ricocheting off the empty seats in the distance.

"Bull Durham"

Great flick. Trey Wilson (the manager) was a heckuva character actor, it's a shame he died so young.

"Major League"

"How's your wife and my kids?" Great line, spoken by one of the only real baseball players in the movie (Pete Vuckovich)

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

A 1949 Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra musical set around the turn of the century. The baseball scenes aren't too realistic, but they're fun.

rdixon1208

11-20-2011, 11:58 AM

The Sandlot

bbcard1

11-20-2011, 12:06 PM

Bingo long traveling all-stars and motor kings!!!!!

Boy, does you do that constantly?
No, sir, I does it all the time!

Bigdaddy

11-20-2011, 12:56 PM

Bull Durham - I was an extra in that movie and it's full of one-liners;

by a nose over Field of Dreams

sayhey24

11-21-2011, 09:06 AM

Definitely Field of Dreams for me too.

Here's a sleeper that I don't think has been mentioned -- "Cooperstown".

I haven't seen it in years, and it's impossible to find -- I know it stars Alan Arkin as a former ballplayer -- he's driving to Cooperstown I think because he's mad that he's not in the Hall of Fame. Can't really remember anything else about the plot, but I know I really enjoyed it.

Greg

dstraate

11-21-2011, 09:13 AM

Sandlot.

The scene at the municipal pool is probably one of the funniest and most enjoyable parts of any movie I've seen.

basesareempty

11-21-2011, 09:23 AM

Sandlot
Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars
Field of Dreams

I believe James Earl Jones is perhaps the greatest actor of the last 30 years and would be in the "team picture" of the greatest of all time. Brilliant actor. He also appeared in all three of the above movies.

Wichita

11-21-2011, 02:43 PM

When I was younger, I enjoyed a movie called "A Winner Never Quits" on TV. It was about a one-armed baseball player who played in the majors. Not sure how accurate it was, but it was great fun to watch.

alanu

11-21-2011, 03:15 PM

Favorites I can think of off the top of my head:

The Natural, I was so relieved with the movie after reading the "dark" book

For Love of the Game

Pride of the Yankees

More light hearted:

Original Bad News Bears

Angels in the Outfield

MVSNYC

11-21-2011, 08:40 PM

many great ones...here's my order:

Field of Dreams
The Natural
*61
Eight Men Out
Bull Durham
League of Their Own
Sandlot
Major League
The Babe

BearBailey

11-21-2011, 08:47 PM

The Natural. The first night movie I ever went to, and the last movie all 4 members of my Family went to together.

perezfan

11-21-2011, 10:07 PM

Bang the Drum Slowly

11-21-2011, 10:24 PM

I don't know if it's because it was my favorite baseball movie as a kid, or because I have a special place in my heart for cheesy 80's movies, but I have to go with the Bad News Bears! A true classic! :)

Hankphenom

11-22-2011, 08:01 AM

"The Jackie Robinson Story"

Just so fabulous to be able to watch Robinson playing himself in a story that had such enormous implications for the country. He holds his own, too, in my opinion, as an actor. What an incredibly talented guy. Sure it has it's hokey moments, but I find it much less so than other awful bioflicks of the time.

WWGjohn

11-22-2011, 09:02 AM

My favorites are:

1) It Happens Every Spring with Ray Milland - love the scenes where he is pitching.

2) Eight Men Out

3) Field of Dreams

4) The Natural

5) Cobb - plays a great Georgia Peach

John

pbspelly

11-22-2011, 01:21 PM

Bull Durham. The only one I where I thought it looked like they were actually good baseball players (Costner more so than the others).

Bang the Drum Slowly is my second pick. It was a great movie (and good TV version too) but the on-field action didn't make me believe these were pro athletes.

Eight Men Out isn't bad.

thetruthisoutthere

11-22-2011, 02:27 PM

"The Pride Of The Yankees" with Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright (my favorite actress of all-time).

ErikV

11-22-2011, 02:44 PM

1) Pride of the Yankees
2) The Winning Team with Ronald Reagan as Grover
Cleveland Alexander (suprised no one mentioned this one)
3) Eight Men Out

deadballera

11-22-2011, 03:22 PM

My favorites are:

1) Pride of the Yankees

2) The Natural

3) Eight Men Out

4) Field of Dreams

Jcfowler6

11-23-2011, 04:24 AM

The Natural
The Winning Season (Honus and Me)
Angels in the Outfield (original)
Major League
Bull Durham
FOD
Sandlot
8 Men Out

I want to see:
Bang That Drum Slowly
Pride of the Yankees

Oh and I always liked Cheers cause Sam played a retired ball player. I know TV show but I liked it.

Kalineman

11-23-2011, 06:19 AM

My Top 10.
1. Field of Dreams
2. It Happens Every Spring
3. A League of Their Own
4. The Natural
5. Bull Durham
6. Bang the Drum Slowly
7. '61
8. Major League
9. Fear Strikes Out
10. Moneyball

tedzan

11-23-2011, 09:02 AM

Here's a 1949 baseball movie that you will enjoy. Jimmy Stewart in a great performance of this true life story of a promising Chicago White Sox pitcher
whose career is cut short in a hunting accident.

Many Major League ballplayers are featured in this film, including Bill Dickey, Gene Bearden, Jimmy Dykes, Joe DiMaggio (cameo), etc.

<img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/amontystratton.jpg" alt="[linked image]"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/bmontystratton.jpg" alt="[linked image]">

TED Z

Hey guys....am I the only one here who has seen this BB movie ?

Shown here is a partial view of a tall theatre marquis of this movie. I acquired it in 1987 at an Atlantic City BB card show.

<img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/TheStrattonStory.jpg" alt="[linked image]">

I highly recommend this BB movie....check it out.

TED Z

Orioles1954

11-23-2011, 09:09 AM

I think I'm the only pre-war baseball fan who doesn't like "Field of Dreams". My two favorites are "Pride of the Yankees" and "The Natural".

sox1903wschamp

11-23-2011, 09:28 AM

"Kill the Umpire"

Anthony S.

11-23-2011, 09:30 AM

Speaking of "Eight Men out," has anybody else ever noticed that John Sayles, you wrote the screenplay and directed it, is the spitting image of the character whom he also played in the movie, Ring Lardner?

That's Sayles as Lardner on the far left in the top photo and Lardner as, well, Lardner in the bottom photo two photos.

WhenItWasAHobby

11-24-2011, 02:20 PM

My favorite is Eight Men Out

sdkammeyer

12-12-2012, 06:33 PM

I'm sitting here watching "Eight Men Out" and I got to wondering if there were any other baseball movies from that era that i haven't seen/don't know about.
Naturally my next thought was to consult my fellow net54'ers...... and voila i found this old thread.

Since there hasn't been any posts in over a year I figured I would drag it back from the dead and see what we could come up with.

What's your favorite baseball related movie?
Do you know of any obscure baseball movies about the game in 1900-1930's?

g_vezina_c55

12-12-2012, 06:37 PM

1- 61
2- babe bambino
3- field of dream
4- eight man out
5- the sandlot
6- the rookie

William Todd

12-12-2012, 06:38 PM

The Natural and Bull Durham

Eric72

12-12-2012, 06:53 PM

"Baseball, a Film by Ken Burns" - and for me, favorite by a country mile.

Regarding those released in theatres, I would give a nod to Bull Durham.

Best Regards,

Eric

sdkammeyer

12-12-2012, 06:57 PM

"Baseball, a Film by Ken Burns"

Eric

GREAT historical movie. I watched the first 4 or 5 parts last week for the first time. Loaded with stuff I didnt know.

CobbSpikedMe

12-12-2012, 07:15 PM

1. The Natural
2. Field of Dreams
3. For Love of the Game

.

Mrvintage

12-12-2012, 07:15 PM

"Cobb" by a longshot. Anyone that hasn't seen that one should definitely check it out.

EvilKing00

12-12-2012, 07:18 PM

The Natural

BD

Field of Dreams

Moonlight Graham

12-12-2012, 07:25 PM

What do you think? :)

Eric72

12-12-2012, 07:43 PM

What do you think? :)
Thought that since I saw your handle...great movie.

wazoo

12-12-2012, 07:46 PM

I enjoyed both Eight Men Out and Money Ball. I tried watching Eight Men Out when I was a lot younger, before I collected pre-war cards and knew about their history. When I attempted watching it for a second time, I was so excited that I knew the players like Ed Cicotte, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver, etc. It was a great experience.

Eric72

12-12-2012, 08:01 PM

What do you think? :)
Dr. Graham's inclusion in that movie was one of my favorite parts. I, too, would relish the opportunity to be a much younger man, stare down a big league pitcher, drive his offering into the outfield and then step off the playing field to save a young person's life...or something equally poignant.

Again, great handle.

Best,

Eric

margoaepi

12-12-2012, 08:42 PM

Easy, Bull Durham!

SushiX37

12-12-2012, 08:54 PM

Without a doubt, Field of Dreams. It doesn't get any better than one.

Honorable mentions: For Love of the Game, Eight Men Out, The Rookie, Bull Durham, Cobb.

Someone else mentioned Soul of the Game. I just saw this for the first time last weekend. It's wasn't a blockbuster, but its worth seeing.

Rich

drmondobueno

12-12-2012, 09:48 PM

Anybody remember Damn Yankees? This has got to be the only musical I can sit through.. Bang the Drum Slowly reminds me of my coaches in school...love the characters... I Watch The Natural anytime I can.

ChrisH

12-12-2012, 10:35 PM

My favorites in no particular order:

A League of Their Own
Major League
Field of Dreams
Bull Durham
Soul of the Game
Baseball by Ken Burns
Sandlot
Eight Men Out

There's quite a few y'all mentioned I haven't seen yet.

Sean

12-12-2012, 11:43 PM

Bull Durham
Field of Dreams
A League of Their Own
Eight Men Out
The Sandlot

AMBST95

12-13-2012, 07:39 AM

Bull Durham - the conference on the mound is hilarious. "we're dealing with a lot of s#€t!".

I'm also a fan of Cobb, accurate or inaccurate, it's a great movie.

The Final Season starring Rudy (Sean Astin) was a good one also.

bigtrain

12-13-2012, 08:22 AM

Great line in "Modern Family" episode that aired last night.
Q: "What did we learn from "A League of Their Own"?
A: "That there's no crying in baseball?"
Reply: No, that Madonna can't act."

A League of Their Own is my all time favorite. Just so many great lines and Hanks is terrific. "Wow! Avoid the clap... Jimmy Dugan" "That's good advice."

WWGjohn

12-13-2012, 09:11 AM

"It Happens Every Spring"

John

iwantitiwinit

12-13-2012, 09:40 AM

Bang the Drum Slowly.

Moonlight Graham

12-13-2012, 10:30 AM

Dr. Graham's inclusion in that movie was one of my favorite parts. I, too, would relish the opportunity to be a much younger man, stare down a big league pitcher, drive his offering into the outfield and then step off the playing field to save a young person's life...or something equally poignant.

Again, great handle.

Best,

Eric

Thanks Eric! When Moonlight Graham's name appeared on the scoreboard at Fenway, I got chills-and still do! Phenominal part of the movie. Take care!
Joe

peterb69

12-13-2012, 10:41 AM

Slap Shot .......... Oops, sorry, you wanted baseball movie

Field of Dreams
Sandlot
The Natural

pitchernut

12-13-2012, 10:46 AM

All of them

oldphil

12-13-2012, 10:51 AM

Field of Dreams for me.

Sister-in-law: Ray, You don't even rotate your crops.
Ray: What's a crop?

A few years ago I sent away for a Field of Dreams coffie mug with the corn field pictured on it. When you put coffee in the mug the players appear and come out of the field.

sdkammeyer

12-13-2012, 03:51 PM

A few years ago I sent away for a Field of Dreams coffie mug with the corn field pictured on it. When you put coffee in the mug the players appear and come out of the field.

NICE!! Do you happen to remember where you got that from? I would love to own one!

EDIT:
found it :)
http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/stand.html

Bocabirdman

12-14-2012, 12:28 PM

Bang the Drum Slowly was a good one. Does anyone remember the name of the card game they played and what the name was short for? (Random trivia)

oldphil

12-14-2012, 12:56 PM

Steve,
Can't remember nor can I find the site. I'll keep looking.

hammer

12-14-2012, 01:03 PM

*61

Iron Horse

12-14-2012, 03:03 PM

The Natural
Field of Dreams
Pride of the Yankees

4815162342

12-14-2012, 03:46 PM

As an adult:
Ken Burns' Baseball
Moneyball

As a kid:
Rookie of the Year
Ferris Bueller
Angels in the Outfield

Regarding Ferris Bueller, I realized a life-long dream last year. While in town for the Chicago National, I went to my first Cubs game. The first words to come out of my mouth when I sat down were "Heeeeeeeeeeeey Batter, batter, batter, batter, swing, batter. He can't hit, he can't hit, he can't hit, he can't hit, swing, batter." I can't wait til next year!

Nashvol

12-14-2012, 04:13 PM

You name, I'll watch it - if its got baseball in it...

seattlerainiers

12-14-2012, 04:42 PM

Pastime (1990) is a superb baseball movie. Seek it out.

Batter67up

12-14-2012, 08:19 PM

61 and Sandlot

oldjudge

12-15-2012, 12:29 AM

For me:

The Natural
Damn Yankees
Bull Durham

mets41

12-15-2012, 01:01 AM

the card game in Bang the Drum Slowly was Tegwar. The game had no rules (the name of the game had something to do with this)

Sean

12-15-2012, 01:05 AM

Tegwar: The Exciting Game Without Any Rules.

Bocabirdman

12-15-2012, 03:59 AM

Tegwar: The Exciting Game Without Any Rules.

Glad to see that I am not the only one to retain such important facts. Most times, I can not tell you what color the shirt I am wearing is without peaking, but movie trivia and baseball stats from half a lifetime ago still fill my head.:D

Boomer

12-15-2012, 07:43 AM

League of Their Own
Field of Dreams

the 'stache

12-15-2012, 08:13 AM

The Natural, hands down...though Moneyball is my new favorite film. Can't go wrong with either, really.

the 'stache

12-15-2012, 08:14 AM

Forgot about Major League. It's awesome also.

I was also shot at Milwaukee County Stadium. I almost went to be an extra during the shooting. I should have done it. But I was only 17 at the time.

mets41

01-24-2015, 10:58 PM

Hi Ted--

I've seen The Stratton Story several times. The actor who played the scout who found Stratton was also the Wizard of Oz.

bwbc917

01-25-2015, 08:09 AM

Always wished I coulda barnstormed, guess that's why Bingo Long is my favorite picture.
James Earl Jones was quite a hitter in this flick, but what other movie(s) will you find him slugging the ball?

clydepepper

01-26-2015, 03:40 PM

Always wished I coulda barnstormed, guess that's why Bingo Long is my favorite picture.
James Earl Jones was quite a hitter in this flick, but what other movie(s) will you find him slugging the ball?

'The Great White Hope' - though he played the boxer Jack Johnson, he suited up as a hopefully anonymous Negro League player to evade police. He wasn't actually shown hitting a baseball in that roll, but if memory serves, he swung a bat in response to questions of how he would defend himself.

bwbc917

01-29-2015, 07:18 AM

In the Sayle's movie Matewan I believe Jones plays baseball while waiting out the coal strike.

markf31

01-29-2015, 07:56 AM

No one mentioned Brewster's Millions yet with Richard Pryor and John Candy?

Prince Hal

01-29-2015, 02:49 PM

"There's no crying in baseball!"...League of Their Own followed by Sandlot. 42 was good also.

bbsports

01-29-2015, 03:26 PM

Some of these baseball movies that have been mentioned are real classics. There are 2 movies nobody has mentioned: Safe at Home which starred Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris & The Pride Of St. Louis, which was story about Dizzy Dean. However, The Pride of the Yankees has to be the the #1 classic, since the Babe starred in the movie despite a great performance by Gary Cooper.