When I first started this blog one of my goals was to bring attention to the films of the 90’s, a decade which seemed to draw the short straw in film history despite a wide variety of excellent films across all genres. However, despite the quality of films I’ve encountered a genre where it was difficult to create a top five list.
Baseball movies.
Growing up in the 80’s I got spoiled with baseball films. Sprinkled throughout the decade are genuine classics such as Bull Durham, outrageous comedies like Major League, gems like The Natural, historical stories such as Eight Men Out, and even a movie that will make the most hardened men cry…Field of Dreams. A top ten list of ALL sports films are likely to include a good number of those mentioned.
Oh but the 90’s. After all those inspirational classics from the prior decade you were destined to underwhelm.
- A League of Their Own
Director Penny Marshall gathers an all star cast, including Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell and Tom Hanks to tell the story of the first female professional baseball league. The script is endlessly quotable and the story is excellent.
2. The Sandlot
While a vast majority of baseball films focus on the major/minor leagues, this film reminds us that most people played baseball when there weren’t multimillion dollar contracts and shoe deals. I’ll never get the chance to field a flyball within the confines of Wrigley Field, but I know what it’s like to play a heated game with my friends. Plus we have this film to thank for the line “You’re killing me Smalls.”
3. For Love of the Game
Kevin Costner is officially the patron saint of baseball games thanks to his parts in Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, but this film, from Sam Raimi of all directors, is still quite good. Perfect games are the unicorns of the Major Leagues and watching an aging Costner attempt to achieve one last glory will always be thrilling. And who wouldn’t want John C Reilly as a teammate? I might’ve given this the number one slot except in modern times no one ever bought baseball cards for the gum because honestly that gum was the worst.
4. The Babe
Perhaps the greatest casting of all baseball films. While the larger than life stories of Babe Ruth are likely closer to fiction than fact, John Goodman is wonderful as the slugger who would change the game forever.
5. Cobb (tie)
Okay, maybe this is even better casting. Ty Cobb, by all accounts, was a cantankerous, awful human being who just happened to be great at baseball. Tommy Lee Jones, by many accounts, happens to be a cantankerous human being who just happens to be great at acting. Even baseball needs a good anti-hero.
5. Rookie of the Year (tie)
Is this film, about a young boy who breaks his arm and turns into an incredible pitcher when it heals, a whole lot of wish fulfillment? Most certainly. But as a lifelong Cubs fan, this is the ultimate wish fulfillment.
Just Barely Missed the Cut
The Scout
The Fan
