Top 5 baseball movies??

[CrazyDiamond]

1. 61*
2. The natural
3. Eight men out
4. A league of their own
5. The babe

What's yours?

[TUM301]

Bang the Drum Slowly, 42 have to be in this list. IMO

[ooo-ribay]

In no particular order:

The Sandlot
Field of Dreams
61
Bang the Drum Slowly
The Fan

maybe this should be a top 10. I could easily name 5 more...

[bn2cardz]

The Sandlot
Rookie of the Year
The Natural
Field Of Dreams
61*

[barrysloate]

Pride of the Yankees seems to be out of favor these days. And 61* appears to be on everyone's list, mine included. Maybe my all-time favorite.

[bn2cardz]

List 2:

8 Men out
Hardball
Major League
A League of Their Own
The Rookie

[bn2cardz]

List 3:
Angels in the Outfield
Pride of the Yankees
Bad News Bears (1976)
Fever Pitch
The Benchwarmers

[AMBST95]

Field of Dreams
The Sandlot
Bull Durham
Bad News Bears (Original)
A League of Their Own


Honorable Mention:

'Why Not?' The 1989 Baltimore Orioles VHS Yearbook. (I wore my copy out as a kid)

[RTK]

42 - Great CGI of Ebbetts, Polo Grounds and Forbes. It made you feel as if you were in the park.

61 - Very well done, captured the era and characters well.

The Sandlot - reminds of my childhood playing endless games of sandlot ball every day all summer long on a filed we made, without an adult in site.

Eight Men Out - Great story, Shoeless Joe and Cusack is wonderful in the movie

(Tie) Bull Durham, The Natural & Field of Dreams - It's too hard to choose. They're about the love of the game and hope.

[novakjr]

This topic seems to come up every once in a while here....

My choices..

Costner makes my list 3 times, James Earl Jones twice...In order...

1)For Love of the Game
2)Major League(can't help it, I love my Tribe)
3)The Sandlot
4)Field of Dreams
5)Bull Durham

So damn close-The Natural and Fever Pitch(the movie is funny as hell, BUT it's direct tie to the '04 Red Sox season really gives this movie a little something extra that NO other sports movie will EVER be able to replicate). Haven't seen 42 yet. Probably will tonight though, I noticed it's on the HBO-OD

[ooo-ribay]

Can't believe I'm the only one with "The Fan" on my list

So bad but also so blatantly the Barry Bonds story.

[barrysloate]

Anybody see "Trouble with the Curve", with Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams? Not a top 5 by any means, but I found it entertaining.

"Moneyball" is another good film that deserves some praise.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Can't believe I'm the only one with "The Fan" on my list

So bad but also so blatantly the Barry Bonds story.

DeNiro was quite good actually, as was Wesley Snipes as Barry.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by novakjr

This topic seems to come up every once in a while here....

My choices..

Costner makes my list 3 times, James Earl Jones twice...In order...

1)For Love of the Game
2)Major League(can't help it, I love my Tribe)
3)The Sandlot
4)Field of Dreams
5)Bull Durham

So damn close-The Natural and Fever Pitch(the movie is funny as hell, BUT it's direct tie to the '04 Red Sox season really gives this movie a little something extra that NO other sports movie will EVER be able to replicate). Haven't seen 42 yet. Probably will tonight though, I noticed it's on the HBO-OD

Realized that I forgot League of their own on my "so damn closes". Watched 42 earlier tonight. Beautiful film, near perfection, but not necessarily one that would get me pumped up for baseball season. It also makes my so damn close list..

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by novakjr

... Fever Pitch(the movie is funny as hell, BUT it's direct tie to the '04 Red Sox season really gives this movie a little something extra that NO other sports movie will EVER be able to replicate).

Being in St. Louis a lot of people I know hate this movie for the very reason you love it. I love it for the same reason. I am (always have been) a baseball fan and don't have an allegiance to any logo or colors so much that I can't appreciate the history that took place that year. I like the fact that they had to edit the movie because the Red Sox won, which they did not expect to happen.

[the 'stache]

My list changes occasionally. And let me say that having to narrow it down to five is really, really hard, because I'm a real sucker for baseball movies. But here's where I'd have it right now:

1. The Natural
2. Moneyball
3. Eight Men Out
4. 61*
5. Field of Dreams

I loved 42, and at some point, I'm sure it will creep into this list. Right now, though, I just have no clue which movie I'd swap it for. This is like being asked "what's your favorite 5 Beatles albums?"

After Field of Dreams, 42, Cobb, Chasing 3,000, Trouble With the Curve and Fever Pitch would be my next five right now.

I kept an open mind going into "Fever", and ended up really liking it. I wasn't going to hate it, because I have a thing for Drew Barrymore. But I totally identified with Ben's Red Sox obsession (I'm the same way about my Milwaukee teams). I liked Trouble With the Curve a lot, too.

Let me say that I love how many great baseball films there are!

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Being in St. Louis a lot of people I know hate this movie for the very reason you love it. I love it for the same reason. I am (always have been) a baseball fan and don't have an allegiance to any logo or colors so much that I can't appreciate the history that took place that year. I like the fact that they had to edit the movie because the Red Sox won, which they did not expect to happen.

The timing of everything, and the fact that the results forced them to edit the ending of the movie is exactly what I was talking about..

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Being in St. Louis a lot of people I know hate this movie for the very reason you love it. I love it for the same reason. I am (always have been) a baseball fan and don't have an allegiance to any logo or colors so much that I can't appreciate the history that took place that year. I like the fact that they had to edit the movie because the Red Sox won, which they did not expect to happen.

nothing like the original Nick Hornby book about soccer

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by novakjr

1)For Love of the Game
2)Major League(can't help it, I love my Tribe)
3)The Sandlot
4)Field of Dreams
5)Bull Durham

I almost put For Love of the Game on my list. It was a good one.

[Runscott]

For me, the top 2 are way in front of the others

1. The Natural
2. 61*
3. 8 Men Out
4. Field of Dreams
5. 42

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I am surprised Field of Dreams and Major League didn't make it higher on many lists.

[Runscott]

I'm always surprised that 'Bull Durham' makes anyone's list, and that 'The Natural' isn't agreed-upon by everyone, as the best ever. Personal Opinion can be a weird, inexplicable thing.

[SikSyko]

Eight Men Out
Major League (turn you brain off and have fun movie)
Field of Dreams
Bull Durham (because I use to hang out in the same pub some of the AAA players who use to play here and saw a lot of the same off field things going on)
Bad News Bears

Not sure of a 5th one.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm always surprised that 'Bull Durham' makes anyone's list, and that 'The Natural' isn't agreed-upon by everyone, as the best ever. Personal Opinion can be a weird, inexplicable thing.

After reading The Natural I don't view the movie the same way.

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm always surprised that 'Bull Durham' makes anyone's list, and that 'The Natural' isn't agreed-upon by everyone, as the best ever. Personal Opinion can be a weird, inexplicable thing.

Both are great, great movies that play on baseball mythology in different ways.

Both are certainly in my top 5. In regards to The Natural, and despite the differences from the novel, every boy who ever played baseball has at one time dreamed of being Roy Hobbs and the movie was brilliantly executed.

Bull Durham was so well written I find myself still enjoying it after dozens of viewings.

My top 5

Eight Men Out
Bull Durham
The Natural
Field of Dreams
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings

Full disclosure, my anti-Yankee bias precludes the inclusion of Pride of the Yankees, the Babe Ruth Store, Safe at Home, 61, or even Bang the Drum Slowly - all fine flicks.

Nice to see Bingo Long on several lists. It's a great movie loosely based on the Indianapolis Clowns.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Anybody see "Trouble with the Curve", with Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams? Not a top 5 by any means, but I found it entertaining.

"Moneyball" is another good film that deserves some praise.

I just watched Trouble with the Curve this weekend and it was OK, but not enough baseball in the movie to consider it a baseball movie. Their jobs are centered around it but most of the movie is off the field and has little to do with the game.

[mets41]

my top 5 are:

bang the drum slowly
natural
angels in the outfield (original) & it happens every spring (both star Paul Douglas, one of my favorites)
stratton story

elsa jenssen is a bum but her husband, ludwig stossel, is ok

[Bigdaddy]

In particular order (1-5):

Bull Durham - and not only because I was an extra in it, sooo many quotable lines

Field of Dreams - ghosts, corn and baseball - what more could you ask

A League of Their Own - It's supposed to be hard! If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great!

The Sandlot

The Natural

No further discussion required

[bosoxfan]

The Natural
Fever Pitch
Eight Men Out
Field of Dreams
Moneyball

[the 'stache]

I'm watching A League of Their Own right now. I completely forgot about this line from Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz):

"Yeah, I'm just going home to grab a shower and shave, give the wife a little pickle tickle, and I'm on my way."

[the 'stache]

Hey guys,

I'm wondering if anybody can answer this question for me. I'm in the process of upgrading my baseball movies from DVD to Blu Ray. Some are not yet available on Blu Ray, among them Eight Men Out, apparently.

Yet, I have it saved on my DVR, and it's in high def.

If it's not been released on Blu Ray, how was EPIX able to acquire a high definition copy of the movie to broadcast? I don't know if it's 1080p, but it's at least 720p.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Hey guys,

I'm wondering if anybody can answer this question for me. I'm in the process of upgrading my baseball movies from DVD to Blu Ray. Some are not yet available on Blu Ray, among them Eight Men Out, apparently.

Yet, I have it saved on my DVR, and it's in high def.

If it's not been released on Blu Ray, how was EPIX able to acquire a high definition copy of the movie to broadcast? I don't know if it's 1080p, but it's at least 720p.

As far as HD quality, I'd assume it's probably more of a digital upscale, than it is actual HD.. Simply playing the dvd in a bluray player or an upscaling dvd player, would probably net you the same results..

[the 'stache]

That makes sense, David, for home use. My Sony Blu Ray player does a phenomenal job of upconverting my DVDs. Would a premium channel like EPIX do that though?

[the 'stache]

Bumping this up for further discussion.

I've had a nice run adding to my baseball movie/documentary collection. My goal is to build an unrivaled baseball collection.

Since listing my five favorite baseball films, I've picked these up:

The Essential Games of the Milwaukee Brewers(not pictured)-a nice 4 disc collection including four of the most memorable games from our team's history. Game 5 of the 1982 ALCS, which gave Milwaukee its first pennant since the Milwaukee Braves won the National League in 1958. Game 4 of the 1982 World Series. The 2008 Wild Card clincher, which put us into the post seasons for the first time since 1982. And, game 5 of the 2011 NLDS, the first post season series we've won since the 1982 ALCS. Also included are a series of highlights from other games, including Ben Sheets' 18 strikeout performance, the game in Arizona where both Jeromy Burnitz and Richie Sexon hit three home runs in the same game, and the first of Ryan Braun's three home run games. It also has a nice retrospective of the 1982 Brewers, and a Hall of Fame profile of Robin Yount. Yes, I know, pretty slim pickings, but I still love my team, no matter how infrequently they win any meaningful games.

Legends in Pinstripes-From HBO films, three of their New York Yankee-related documentaries: Babe Ruth, Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio and The Definitive Story of Mickey Mantle. This is the Mantle one I've had sitting on my DVR for the last three years or so, narrated by Liev Schriber. So, at least I have it should the DVR die on me. I'd never seen the documentary on DiMaggio. Loved it. I've always been a fan of the Yankee Clipper. Hell, I've always been an admirer (though somewhat begrudgingly) of the Yankees. DiMaggio was the perfect ballplayer. The Yankees really couldn't have won any more World Series rings than they did with him already, but I shudder to think how invincible the Yankees might have been had Mantle and Whitey each been born about 5 years earlier. Take 1950, for example. They won 98 games. The lineup with Mantle would have been...frightening.

Eight Men Out, the Twentieth Anniversary Edition. I didn't have this in my collection already. I just had it saved on my DVR from when HD Net showed it. It was worth the $10 just to get the new documentaries that weren't on the first DVD release.

Warner Brothers 4 Film Favorites-Classic Baseball. This was a steal for me. $11.29 delivered for these great films:

Pride of the Yankees.
Fear Strikes Out
Bang The Drum Slowly
Cobb

I've seen Cobb, and have it, too, on the DVR after appearing on Cinemax. The others, interestingly enough, I have never seen. So, I will be watching them starting this weekend.



Abou $60 for all of these (the Brewer collection I did not include in this picture). I am a happy baseball fan!

I also have to say that I have very much enjoyed Million Dollar Arm. I wasn't sure what to think of it, but I gave it a chance, and liked it quite a lot, especially the second half. It won't crack my top five, but it's one I'll buy on Blu Ray for sure. It gets back to what baseball is all about, it my opinion.

Speaking of Blu Rays, I added Bull Durham, The Natural, A League of Their Own, 42, and the HBO doc When it Was a Game complete set. I am also going to add Moneyball and Trouble With the Curve, which I have been watching on Vudu since getting those for my father on Blu Ray, as well as Major League and Field of Dreams. I have already ordered Fever Pitch, too.

[clydepepper]

Well, I can't believe I never responded to this thread before. I guess I have more Baseball Movies than most. As far as which are my favorites - well, that has changed over time...I don't seem to appreciate Major League or The Natural as much as when they first came out, but that doesn't mean they're not good movies.

Feel free to ask me about any of these and I will give my honest opinion:

BULL DURHAM
EIGHT MEN OUT
FIELD OF DREAMS
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME
MAJOR LEAGUE (B-R)
MILLION DOLLAR ARM (B-R)
MR. BASEBALL
MONEYBALL (B-R)
PASTIME
42- THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY (B-R)
61*
SOUL OF THE GAME
SUMMER CATCH
TALENT FOR THE GAME
THE BINGO LONG TRAVELING ALL-STARS AND MOTOR KINGS
THE BRONX IS BURNING
THE NATURAL
THE PRIDE OF ST. LOUIS
THE ROOKIE
THE SANDLOT
THE SCOUT
THE WINNING TEAM
TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE (B-R)