No game today – but maybe you still long for a bit of baseball on the tube.
We suggested these 11 baseball movies at the beginning of the Rockies’ season, but we think no one was listening.
Let’s just say that people seem to be listening now.
“Bull Durham.” This 1988 comic gem stars Kevin Costner as an aging minor-league catcher who imparts life lessons to Tim Robbins’ hotshot young pitcher. Along the way he learns lessons of his own from Susan Sarandon’s Annie Savoy, a baseball groupie who can quote Walt Whitman.
“Field of Dreams.” Costner returns as an Iowa farmer with a vision of building a ballpark in his cornfield. It’s about faith, fathers and sons, and how dreams denied can be fulfilled in other ways. With Burt Lancaster, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones and Amy Madigan.
“A League of Their Own.” This 1992 movie helped bury the “throws like a girl” insult. Inspired by the women’s baseball leagues of the 1940s, this 1992 movie features an irresistible Geena Davis and a fine comic turn by Tom Hanks. Madonna (pictured at right) and Rosie O’Donnell shine, too.
“Eight Men Out.” A look at the Black Sox scandal, where key Chicago White Sox
players took bribes to throw the 1919 World Series and get back at the team’s miserly owners.
“The Rookie.” Dennis Quaid is terrific as a high-school coach who, after leading his ragtag team to success on the diamond, is spurred to revive his pitching career.
“The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings.” Billy Dee Williams stars as a pitcher who leads his team of Negro League barnstormers during the Depression. With James Earl Jones as the All-Stars’ catcher and Richard Pryor as an antic outfielder.
“Major League.” How bad can a baseball team be? In this 1989 comedy, the Cleveland Indians’ owner tries to assemble a team so awful that she’ll be able to relocate the franchise. Who’s laughing now?
“Fever Pitch.” Drew Barrymore’s character deals with her Red Sox-crazed boyfriend. Filmed at Fenway Park, which maybe we’ve seen enough of.
“The Bad News Bears.” Beyond un-PC. But still hysterical. With Tatum O’Neal and the late, great Walter Matthau at his acerbic best.
“Pride of the Yankees.” Gary Cooper portrays Lou Gehrig, the great New York Yankee, in this 1942 classic. It earned 11 Oscar nominations.
“The Natural.” Based on Bernard Malamud’s novel, this 1984 movie follows a gifted athlete whose career is derailed before it begins. Robert Redford stars.
