"1987" Is a Movie That Needs To Be Made

In 1987, I was 14 years old and in walking distance of the Metrodome. What a great time to grow up in MPLS. The Minnesota Twins, a team that wasn't supposed to win, won the World Series that year and yes, I had my Homer Hanky. 

Why hasn't a movie been made called "1987" about the Minnesota Twins and their World Series Championship? 

It's a great, underdog comes out on top story. The team was filled with enough characters and storylines to make the movie "Major League" seem boring.

The Metrodome was the ultimate home field advantage. The noise was equal to and greater than airplanes taking off at the airport. The St. Louis Cardinals and the world were stunned by the fervor of the Minnesota fans who had never had a World Series Championship before.

The stars of the Twins were Kirby Puckett, Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunansky, Bert Blyleven, Jeff Reardon, Frank Viola, Dan Gladden and Kent Hrbek. Don't forget about knuckle baller Phil Niekro and his emery board and Juan Berenguer and the "Berenguer Boogie" either. 

Some Possible Actors:
Kirby Puckett — Jamie Foxx
Kent Hrbek — Kevin James
Tom Kelly — Colm Meaney
Bert Blyleven — Matthew McConaughey

My "1987" movie would have to focus on Kirby Puckett. Jamie Foxx can carry a movie and while I don't think anyone can match Kirby for charisma, I think Foxx would be the best option out there.

The movie could certainly be used for good:
1. A tribute to Kirby Puckett
2. A tool to bring attention to how good Bert Blyleven was and to get him in the Hall of Fame
3. A reminder as to how good of a Mgr Tom Kelly really was.
4. A reminder of old school baseball and the characters baseball had before it was about the money.
5. A reminder of what baseball was before steroids.

Speaking for Minnesota Twins fans, we want to see Herbie crush another HR over the baggy in RF just one more time. We want to see Bert Blyleven lighting someone's shoestrings on fire again. We want to see Kirby jump and rob HRs again even if it is only Jamie Foxx playing him. 

It would certainly bring tears to this writer's eyes.

Speaking for baseball fans, we NEED to see it.  We need to be reminded of what it means to play baseball for the love of the game.