With Baseball season just getting underway, we asked our fellow Reelayers to chime in on their favorite baseball movies. The sport has been immortalized in countless movies, capturing the drama, the thrill, and the excitement of America’s national sport. From feel-good comedies to gripping dramas, there’s a baseball movie for every taste.
The Natural (1984)
Based on Bernard Malamud’s novel of the same name, The Natural is a classic baseball movie that has stood the test of time. The movie stars Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, a talented baseball player whose career was derailed by a mysterious woman. Years later, Hobbs gets a second chance to play for the New York Knights and becomes a baseball legend. The Natural is a beautiful movie that captures the essence of baseball and the American Dream.
Field of Dreams (1989)
Field of Dreams is a movie that transcends baseball. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming story about a man who builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice. Kevin Costner stars as Ray Kinsella, a farmer who hears the voice say, “If you build it, he will come.” Kinsella builds the field, and Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) and other deceased baseball legends appear. The movie is a touching tribute to the power of dreams, family, and baseball.
Bull Durham (1988)
Bull Durham is a movie that explores the gritty reality of minor-league baseball. Kevin Costner stars as “Crash” Davis, a veteran catcher who is assigned to mentor a talented but undisciplined rookie pitcher, “Nuke” LaLoosh (Tim Robbins). Along the way, they both fall in love with Annie (Susan Sarandon), a passionate baseball fan. Bull Durham is a funny, witty, and romantic movie that captures the essence of minor-league baseball.
A League of Their Own (1992)
A League of Their Own tells the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), a women’s baseball league that operated during World War II. Tom Hanks stars as Jimmy Dugan, a washed-up baseball player who becomes the coach of the Rockford Peaches, a team in the AAGPBL. The movie follows the journey of the Peaches and their struggle to gain acceptance in a male-dominated sport. A League of Their Own is a powerful movie that celebrates the spirit of women in sports.
Moneyball (2011)
Moneyball is based on the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the Oakland Athletics general manager, who used statistical analysis to build a winning team on a shoestring budget. The movie explores the business side of baseball and the changing landscape of the sport. Moneyball is a smart, engaging, and well-acted movie that appeals to baseball fans and non-fans alike.
So there you have it; these are some of the best baseball movies ever made. Each movie captures a different aspect of baseball, from the romance and drama of the game to the business side of the sport. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a good movie, these movies will surely hit it out of the park.