Major League Baseball’s opening day is March 30.
Two Californian ball clubs will battle it out, nine-a-side, that day, and in preparation I’ve been watching a few of my personal favourite baseball flicks. There are plenty: Mr. Baseball, The Sandlot, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, The Natural and so many more.
Here are my five picks on the old Doubleday past-time that became an American staple.
| 5. |  |
Movie: Trouble With The Curve (2012) Cast: Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams and John Goodman Quote: “What are you all staring at? I’m not a pole dancer.” Why: Your typical, grizzly bear role for Eastwood, but he does it well. |
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| 4. |  |
Movie: Moneyball (2011) Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright Quote: “I disagree with you, plain and simple. And moreover, I’m playing my team in a way that I can explain in job interviews next winter.” Why: Not exactly legitimate in the grand scheme of truthful history, but it was enjoyable. |
| 3. |  |
Movie: Major League (1989) Cast: Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernson, Charlie Sheen and Rene Russo Quote: “I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats.” Why: When the Indians were bad, this gave them hope. Six years after this movie was made, Cleveland went to the World Series thanks to manager Mike Hargrove. The only problem is, they haven’t won the big prize yet. Well not since 1948. |
| 2. |  |
Movie: A League of Their Own (1992) Cast: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna and Lori Petty Quote: “There’s no crying in baseball!” Why: Nice war-time era story about the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Go Rockford Peaches! |
| 1. |  |
Movie: 42 (2013) Character: Harrison Ford, Chadwick Boseman, Nicole Beharie and Chris Meloni Quote: “It means someday you’re gonna meet God, and when he inquires as to why you didn’t take the field against Robinson in Philadelphia, and you answer that it’s because he was a Negro, it may not be a sufficient reply!” Why: Quite possibly baseball’s greatest story. |