The Baseball Movies.

So I was home today and thought, “why not do ANOTHER ranking”. Haha, just kidding. I was home and DID see The Sandlot on t.v. and thought I should rank MY top baseball movies of all time. I know it has been done a MILLION times, but I thought I would share. Here they are, let the bashing begin.

Just missed the Top 10: Little Big League; Rookie of the Year

10. Eight Men Out (1988): Pretty slow movie, but it is pretty good. It is a sentimental favorite. I remember my parents buying our FIRST VCR in 1989 or so and this was the movie they rented for me to watch. Wait what? (true story). Charlie Sheen is in it too, winning.

9. For Love Of The Game (1999): I have to be honest, this one was a LITTLE sappy for me, but I still enjoyed the story. Billy Chapel was what, 41 and throws a perfect game? Heh. No, still good and somewhat inspiring. Vin Scully is the announcer, you can’t beat that…well maybe you can, John C Reilly is the catcher. Perfect. Haha. This scene is good:

8. Baseball: A Film By Ken Burns: Honestly, wasn’t sure if this should be included under “movies about baseball”, but this collection is as good as it gets. To me though, it’s hard to sit down and watch the whole thing at once. Hah. If you haven’t watched this, you should. Its a classic. Should be ranked higher, but again, it’s a special addition.

7. The Bad News Bears (1976): Oh Kelly Leak. This movie had sequels and a remake (why oh why), but the first one is still the best. Funny thing is, and some people don’t remember, the Bears did not win the championship. Crazy. Their rival was the Yankees, a definite memory for me growing up. My main rival, the Yankees. “You talking about Kelly Leak?”

6. A League of Their Own (1992): “Hey cow girls, see the grass? Don’t eat it.” Jon Lovitz made this movie, and thats saying something taking into consideration the famous Tom Hanks line “there’s not crying in baseball!” Most of the game scenes were filmed in Indiana at the oldest minor league ballpark in the US. Nice.

5. The Natural (1984): Roy Hobbs. This movie DEF gets a lot use when describing someone who seems to play the game with ease. “The Natural” or “the next Roy Hobbs” is heard a lot. Also, who didn’t want to make their own bat after seeing this movie? I wanted too, but tin foil and tape doesn’t work so well.

4. The Sandlot (1993): Now we are getting to the “it’s personal” section of the countdown. I graduated high school in 1997, so The Sandlot was a big part of my junior high and high school experience. I played baseball, and I got A LOT of comparisons to Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez. (not speed or skill, just looks). I look forward to when my son is a little older and we can enjoy this movie together. From “getting into a pickle” to the “big dog”, this baseball movie is great. “Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you’ll never go wrong.”

3. Bull Durham (1988): Probably one of the most quotable movies of all time. Once again, Costner was great as a savvy minor league catcher teaching “Nuke” Laloosh how to pitch, and take care of his shower shoes. Even if you don’t like baseball, you probably know some quotes from this movie. “Why does he always call me meat?” “Get a hit Crash…..shut up.” Pure greatness. This movie is probably in the top 3 for most baseball movie fans.

2. Major League (1989): This is tough. My parents would NOT let me watch this movie in its original format. I remember my cousins telling me all about it and thinking it was the greatest thing ever. Well, after waiting a few years, I FINALLY got to watch the t.v. version. Edited. I am pretty sure it was better than the original (which I HAVE seen). Another VERY quotable movie, one in which I can almost do the entire script. Probably the best part or most memorable part is Bob Uecker as the Indians play by play man. “JUSSSSTTT a bit outside…tried the corner and missed”. Hmm, not much on Youtube, but this is a good one.

1. Field of Dreams (1989): There could be a few #1′s here for different reasons, but Field of Dreams just edged out the others. I honestly watch it any time it is on some crappy Encore channel. It is funny, it is touching, it is entertaining and it is memorable. Without a doubt, people who have NEVER seen the movie know one of its most famous lines: “if you build it, he will come”. Churches and schools have been using it since the movie came out to get building campaigns done. It’s true. James Earl Jones also delivers with his famous (one of the best movie speeches ever) “people will come” speech. If you don’t cry (or almost cry) when Ray asks his dad for a catch, you are not human. I am getting choked up just thinking about it. Oh, and Costner is on the list three times…major props to the King of Baseball Movies.

So there you have it, MY top 10 Baseball Movies of All Time. What say you readers?