The Couch Potato's Guide to the Big Leagues by Geoff Carter

By Geoff Carter

I sighted my first robin a few weeks ago. The daffodils and crocuses are peeking through the earth. After possibly one of the longest winters in the history of the modern world—at least subjectively speaking, spring has arrived. We can enjoy walks in the sunshine, digging in the garden, and talking to our neighbors over the fence. Our nation is getting to the point where a significant number of our citizens are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That doesn’t mean that we’re over the hump, but still, there’s hope.

And spring is the season for hope, renewal, and rebirth. And baseball. After last year’s shortened season marked by stands weirdly populated with cardboard cutouts of fans and games ramped up by piped-in audio meant to simulate actual crowd noise, major league baseball had a real opening day last week; there were even a few real people in the stands. Baseball as we know it—mostly—is back. And that’s a reason to celebrate.

Baseball is quintessentially optimistic and quintessentially American. Before it was surpassed by the more frenetic and violent action of basketball and football, it was the national pastime. Almost every kid had a glove, played in the local sandlot, and had the nightly catch with their dad. Micky Mantle, Willie Mays, Roger Maris, and Hank Aaron were national heroes. Jackie Robinson became a national icon of courage and perseverance. Baseball was—is—about everything that’s good about this country. It has its blemishes, sure, but on the first day of spring training, every player and every fan knows they have a shot at the Series.

The movies have had a long and storied history with baseball. The game, the players, and the history are a source of constant fascination, and the diamond is an area where the hopes, fears, and ambitions of the American dreamers are played out. So, here is the lineup of the Couch Potato’s top ten baseball movies of all time. We hope you enjoy them.

“Play ball!”

The Couch Potato’s Guide to the Big Leagues

Eight Men Out: John Sayles’ dramatization of the White Sox scandal of 1919, in which the team was accused of throwing the World Series. Squeezed to death by tight-fisted owner Charles Comiskey, players turned to gamblers offering lucrative returns for throwing the World Series against Cincinnati. Like most Sayles’ films, this is a tightly written, well-directed movie featuring outstanding performances. The ensemble cast, featuring David Strathairn, Charlie Sheen, John Mahoney, and John Cusack. Notable for the appearance of longtime Chicago journalist Studs Terkel as Hugh Fullerton.

Also starring Christopher Lloyd, Russell Edson, Michael Rooker, and D.B. Sweeney. Written and directed by John Sayles.

Available on Amazon Prime

Field of Dreams: A young farmer hears a voice in a cornfield saying, “If you build it, he will come.” The line, along with this film have become icons of American cinema. The movie, a “supernatural sports drama” follows young Ray Kinsella as he follows the direction of the mysterious voice, building a ballpark in the middle of an Iowa cornfield, seeing it populated by the ghosts of major-leaguers past, and then following to track down the people necessary for Ray to complete the ultimate aim of his quest. Notable for James Earl Jones speech about baseball just before he disappears into the cornfield and one of Burt Lancaster’s last performances.

Starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, and Ray Liotta. Written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson.

Available on Amazon Prime

Bull Durham: A fascinating trip into the world of the minor leagues. Hardnosed veteran catcher Crash Davis is recruited to prepare “Nuke LaLoosh”, a hotshot young fireballer, to play in the majors. Both are attracted to baseball aficionado, groupie, and spiritualist Annie, who also aids in Nuke’s development. In the course of seasoning the young LaLoosh, Davis comes to understand his feelings for Annie as well as his place in the game. Notable for iconic scenes like the conference at the pitcher’s mound in which the players try to decide on a wedding present for a teammate.

Starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, and Robert Wuhl. Written and directed by Ron Shelton.

Available on Amazon Prime

A League of Their Own: A film based on the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League formed as a substitute for major-league ball during World War II, when most of the male players had shipped off to war. This comedy-drama focuses on the rivalry between two sisters as they become players for the Rockford Peaches. The movie not only provides a history of the league but also examines issues of feminism, equity, and achievement by women striving for excellence in a sometimes hostile men’s world. Notable for great depictions of on-the-field action and great ensemble performances.

Starring: Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, and Bill Pullman. Written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. Directed by Penny Marshall.

Available on HBO

Bang the Drum Slowly: A poignant tale of a talented and smart—although jaded—major-league pitcher, Henry Wiggins, who takes catcher Bruce Pearson under his wing after he discovers that his battery mate is dying. Wiggins makes it a stipulation of his contract that only Bruce can catch for him, and—without telling anyone about his friend’s condition—proceeds to help him become the best ballplayer he can be. A great tale of compassion and teamwork. Notable for an outstanding performance by a very young Robert DeNiro as Bruce.

Starring: Michael Moriarty, Robert DeNiro, Vince Gardenia. Written by Mark Harris and directed by John Hancock.

Available on Amazon Prime

Pride of the Yankees: Biopic of New York Yankees star Lou Gehrig, who at one point played 2,130 consecutive games. The film follows Gehrig as he chooses baseball over an engineering degree, works his way up through the minors, and eventually becomes one of the best players on one of the best teams ever. The film emphasizes Gehrig’s humility and down-to-earth personality. When he is diagnosed with ALS, (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and realizes he can no longer play, he gives one of the most heartfelt and stirring farewell speeches ever. Notable for the appearance of several real-life Yankees, including Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, and Bill Stern.

Starring: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan, Dan Duryea, and Elsa Janssen. Written by Herman Mankiewicz and directed by Sam Wood.

Available on Amazon Prime

Angels in the Outfield: A feel-good fantasy story about a boy, Roger, who believes in the redemptive and recuperative powers of baseball. Living in a foster home and hoping to be reunited with his father, who says they’ll be a family when the Angels win, the boy prays for a winning season. His prayers are answered by “Al”, an angel—who only Roger can see, and a group of angels who help lead the Angels to victory after victory. Along the way, the Angels’ cynical manager rediscovers why he loves the game. Notable for a group of unknown actors like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Matthew McConaughey, Adrien Brody, and Neal McDonough.

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Brenda Fricker, and Ben Johnson. Written by Holly Goldberg Sloan and directed by William Dear.

Available to buy on Amazon

Moneyball: A film that documents the brains behind the phenomenal rise of the 2002 Oakland A’s, baseball’s ultimate underdog. Working with a limited budget, A’s General Manager Billy Beane decides to work outside the boundaries of traditional baseball thought, enlisting the help of statistical whiz kid Peter Brand to hire quality players generally overlooked by the baseball establishment. Beane, himself a casualty of the outmoded strategies for evaluating players, perseveres with his team of misfits as they reach a surprisingly incredible outcome to their season. Notable for great dialogue and writing of Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, and Stephen Bishop. Written by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian. Directed by Bennet Miller.

Available on Amazon Prime

The Bad News Bears (1976): A great comedy about a washed-up major-leaguer, Morris Buttermaker, who is enlisted to coach a team of little league misfits. After first barely trying to work with the kids, Buttermaker warms up to his task, enlisting the help of an old girlfriend’s daughter, Amanda—a fireballer, and a juvenile delinquent—a natural talent, to help propel his team to the top of their league. Along the way, Buttermaker loses sight of the fact that his team is comprised of children and that winning is not the ultimate aim of Little League Baseball. Notable for a very early appearance by Jackie Earl Haley.

Starring: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal, Vic Morrow, Jackie Earle Haley, and Joyce Van Patten. Written by Bill Lancaster and directed by Michael Ritchie.

Available on Amazon Prime

Major League: An outrageous comedy about yet another band of misfits who are being sabotaged by a corrupt general manager seeking to sell the team. The manager she hires, however, has different ideas. He goes out to find talented players in the most unlikely places and, under his tutelage, the team, against all odds, begins to put together a winning season. All the oddball characters and comic fixtures are here in this fun romp. Notable for Bob Uecker’s appearance as Harry Doyle, the glib and overly articulate play-by-play announcer and for its setting, the now-defunct Milwaukee County Stadium.

Starring: Tom Berenger, Rene Russo, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Corbin Bernsen, and James Gammon. Written and directed by David S. Ward.

Available on Hulu