10-27-2009, 08:24
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#1
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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It's the World Series...and...
Although I am not a huge fan of Major League Baseball, I do enjoy the minors and some of my favorite movies have baseball themes to them. To break the monotony of the on-going political debacles and economic downers, it might be fun to take a break and think of some of the baseball films which inspired or merely entertained us.
Mine include:
- The Rookie (2002)
Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) once dreamed of becoming a big leaguer. But an injury to his pitching arm while playing in the minors forced Morris out of the game. Twelve years have passed and Morris, now coaching a last place high school baseball team. Seeing that Morris still has some juice left in his arm, his team makes a deal that forces Morris to try out for a Major League team. After throwing a 98mph fastball, the aging Morris is signed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays giving him a second shot at "the Show". The scenes of his debut in the majors at The Ballpark in Arlington are memorable.
- Sandlot (1993)
Scotty Smalls is new to the neighborhood, but his lack of baseball talent is making it hard for Smalls to fit in. When Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez recruits Smalls to play with his neighborhood gang at a nearby sandlot, a whole new summer experience awaits. The pool scene where Squints bogarts a kiss from lifeguard Wendy "the hottest girl in town" Pepperkorn is an adolescent's dream scene.
- Field of Dreams (1989)
Struggling Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) obeys a voice telling him to replace part of his cornfield with a baseball field. Soon thereafter Ray experiences the appearance of Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other 1919 Chicago White Sox players. Ray continues to hear voices which leads him to a reclusive author to help him interpret the meaning of the messages and the field.
- A League of Their Own (1992)
Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) has been hired to coach in the All-American Girls Baseball League of 1943 while the male pros are at war. Dugan, now a drunk has-been, unexpectedly discovers these girls can play ball! Now Dugans must manage the Rockford Peaches as they try to swing their way to a World Series title. This film is based on a true story.
- Angels In The Outfield (1951)
Guffy McGovern, the Pittsburgh Pirates manager, is the most foulmouthed, hard-hearted manager in the league. To make matters worse his Pirates are in last place and trying to break a losing streak. McGovern begins to hear voices promising to help his team if he can clean up his act. However, a young orphan girl tells a reporter she sees angels helping out the Pirates, giving away McGovern's secret of success. Now can McGovern keep his temper in check long enough for the Pirates to win the pennant?
- The Babe Ruth Story (1948)
Historically flawed, but William Bendix, who plays Ruth in this film, was a batboy for the New York Yankees at 15 years old while the real Babe Ruth was still playing for the Yanks. Ruth attended the premiere of this film but had to leave shortly after it started because of feeling so ill from the cancer he was fighting. Ruth died less than a month later.
- Pride of the Yankees (1942)
The life of Lou Gehrig (Gary Cooper), famous NY Yankee first baseman who was nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for playing in 2,130 consecutive games. Gehrig eventually falls to a deadly nerve disease (ALS), which has since been name after him. This classic takes you from Gehrig's childhood in New York, through his playing days, to his famous 'Luckiest Man Alive' farewell speech in 1939.
Any others? 
Richard's $.02 
__________________
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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10-27-2009, 08:27
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#2
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Buckingham, Pa.
Posts: 1,746
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The Natural, For the Love of the Game and Major League (not part II).
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rubberneck is offline
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10-27-2009, 08:30
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#3
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Area Commander
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,952
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Major League.
Eight Men Out.
RF 1
Last edited by Red Flag 1; 10-27-2009 at 08:33.
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Red Flag 1 is offline
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10-27-2009, 12:04
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#4
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,751
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Bull Durham "A fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him." Journeyman Catcher 'Crash' Cradock assigned by managment to "bring up" 100+mph pitcher 'Nuke' LaLoush who lacks control (of the ball and his life). Underlying life moral is "Just because you love something, doesn't mean it has to love you back."
Mr 3000 "Aging baseball star who goes by the nickname, Mr. 3000, finds out many years after retirement that he didn't quite reach 3,000 hits. Now at age 47 he's back to try and reach that goal." Underlying life moral is "Play Baseball (and life) as an individual star, Win Baseball (and life) as a teammate.
Last edited by Dozer523; 10-27-2009 at 12:21.
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Dozer523 is offline
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10-27-2009, 13:00
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#5
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Area Commander
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,952
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FWIW,
Jimmy Stewart starred in the film "Strategic Air Command". This was a film that co-stared June Allyson. While not a baseball film, Stewart played the role of a pro level pitcher that would up on active duty flying for the USAF. Not far from real life for BG Stewart, USAF.
Bit of a stretch Richard, but "melds" well, IMHO.
RF 1
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Red Flag 1 is offline
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10-27-2009, 13:11
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#6
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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Speaking of Jimmy Stewart didn't he star in the Monty Stratton movie about the pitcher who continued to play after he lost his leg in a hunting accident?
Big Teddy
__________________
I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver
SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney
SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
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greenberetTFS is offline
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10-27-2009, 13:14
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#7
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 365
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Baseball Story
The one with DeNiro. Was it called "Bang the Drum Slowly"? He played the not too bright catcher.
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Dad is offline
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10-27-2009, 13:24
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#8
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Area Commander
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,478
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"Where's my money? Where's my money? Where's my money?"
Bad Lieutenant (1992)
Against the backdrop of a subway World Series (the discussion of which serves as the Greek chorus) a corrupt NYPD detective spirals towards oblivion. If you've not seen this film, I recommend the NC-17 version over the R-rated version to see all the nuances of Harvey Keitel's performance. 
Last edited by Sigaba; 10-27-2009 at 13:29.
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Sigaba is offline
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10-27-2009, 14:15
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Georgetown, SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dad
The one with DeNiro. Was it called "Bang the Drum Slowly"? He played the not too bright catcher.
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It was indeed "Bang the Drum Slowly" and starred Michael Moriarty along with DeNiro - and a great supporting cast. Great movie about teamwork and friendship - and where it can take you.
__________________
"I took a different route from most and came into Special Forces..." - Col. Nick Rowe
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ZonieDiver is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:28
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#10
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Area Commander
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenberetTFS
Speaking of Jimmy Stewart didn't he star in the Monty Stratton movie about the pitcher who continued to play after he lost his leg in a hunting accident?
Big Teddy |
Sounds familiar Big Teddy; just can't remember the title.
Help us FOG's out here guys  !
RF 1
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Red Flag 1 is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:34
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#11
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Area Commander
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,478
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Flag 1
Sounds familiar Big Teddy; just can't remember the title.
Help us FOG's out here guys !
RF 1 |
The Stratton Story (1949). IMDB entry is here.
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Sigaba is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:38
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#12
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Flag 1
Sounds familiar Big Teddy; just can't remember the title.
Help us FOG's out here guys....
RF 1
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By the way,I'm pulling for your Yankees,since my Cubbies missed it again this year...  
Big Teddy
__________________
I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver
SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney
SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
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greenberetTFS is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:43
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#13
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenberetTFS
By the way,I'm pulling for your Yankees,since my Cubbies missed it again this year...
Big Teddy
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Teddy, the Cubbies miss it EVERY year!  
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Dozer523 is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:49
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#14
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dozer523
Teddy, the Cubbies miss it EVERY year! |
You wouldn't say that if the Cardinals had an old goat curse on them like my Cubbies have....
Big Teddy
__________________
I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver
SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney
SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
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greenberetTFS is offline
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10-27-2009, 17:54
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#15
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Area Commander
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,952
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenberetTFS
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Thanks amigo!!
Phillies look strong again this year. At least it will all be played on East Coast time.
RF 1
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Red Flag 1 is offline
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