18 Feb 2008 04:38:05 | Aron Wallad
My Top Ten Favorite Baseball Movies My top ten baseball movies
consist of five movies on the list. There have been many movies
with a baseball theme that I have liked, but there are only five
I have loved. I will get to them soon.
Some of the ones I have liked are "Bull Durham" with Kevin
Costner, a light hearted tale about a minor league season in
North Carolina and the characters on and around that team. "Bang
The Drum Slowly" with Robert DeNiro, "Cobb" with Tommy Lee
Jones, "Fear Strikes Out," "Eight Men Out," "A League of Their
Own," "Major League," and "Rookie of the Year." One thing
that my favorites have in common is that I have been moved to
tears. For similar and different reasons, I have been inspired
or moved by some of the following scenes.
Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones. When I
think about this movie I always think how corny it was. Come on
- Cut down a corn field to create a baseball field. I have seen
this movie approximately 15 times. It is the only movie I have
seen in my adult life twice in the theaters. The scene that is
so moving for me is when Kevin Costner asks his father to play
catch. He is so awkward in his asking. He is so delighted when
his father says "sure." I melt whenever I see this scene.
The Rookie with Dennis Quaid How does a man in his late 30's
leave his family and start playing baseball in the minor
leagues. He is fulfilling a dream. There are a couple of scenes
in the movie that lead to a most uplifting moment. While playing
in the minor leagues in the Tampa Bay organization Dennis Quaid
(Playing pitcher Jim Morris) thinks he may have made a mistake
by leaving his family to pursue a dumb dream. He is in anguish.
He is not making any money pitching in the minors while his
family is suffering at home with very little money coming into
the house. Finally, after vacillating between playing baseball
and going back to his wife to make a constant living he sees one
of his teammates and asks him. "Do you know what we are going to
do today?" His teammate looks puzzled. Dennis responds to his
own question. "We are going to play baseball today." With a big
grin on his face Dennis captures the joy of playing baseball. I
loved it.
The Natural with Robert Redford The music in this flick was
superb. Good versus evil. Robert Redford comes out of the
hospital to play in the most important game of the year. As
corny as this movie was I loved the scene at the end of the
movie when he hits the ball into the lights and a shower of
sparkling flashes illuminate the screen. I can still hear the
music from that part of the movie, as he circles the bases. I
get chills whenever I see this part of the film.
Pride of The Yankees with Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright One of
my all time favorite movies. One of my all time favorite
players, Lou Gehrig, is played on the screen so superbly by Gary
Cooper. The scene that gets to me every time is when Lou goes to
see the doctor at the hospital because he feels a nagging injury
not healing. As his wife nervously waits in the waiting room,
Lou is examined and then given the fatal news of his illness. He
is greeted by his wife as he leaves the examination room. She
then asks him how it went. They embrace and he tells her its a
little bump or bruise. She seems to know without him telling her
that this is serious. Oh my. I melt every time.
This following epic motion picture reminds me of a baseball
season. Long, lasting and lovable. Baseball by Ken Burns Can you
believe 18 hours of baseball footage? Still pictures from the
19th century. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Hank
Aaron, Willie Mays, and Lou Gehrig, Buck O'Neil. Highlights on
film. Dead ball era. Modern day. Pitchers, hitters. This movie
had it all. The pictures were spectacular. There were so many
stories that were told. I was amazed. Ken Burns commitment to
get this movie done is what moved me.
So there you have it. I cannot thank the people ENOUGH that
made these movies. I have been touched writing about their
commitment, passion, and excellence.
About Author :
Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. His
passions have included; playing, watching, reading, evaluating,
and coaching the game he adores. Do you love inspiring quotes,
unusual statistics and most of all, heartwarming baseball
stories? If you love baseball you will love his baseball ezine.
