It's springtime in Colorado, and that's the start of one of our favorite seasons: Baseball Season. Our home team Colorado Rockies celebrated the 20th anniversary of opening day last Friday and So did the movie The Sandlot! I have to say this fact made me feel pretty old! I remember as a child, my dad wasn't really into sports until we finally got a baseball team. I won tickets at school and Dad and I went to the first game together. That year I also started playing Little League Baseball. I sucked but I loved it, and when The Sandlot came out, it was a big hit in my house. Well, we are continuing the baseball love in our little family; AJ attended his first game at just 3 weeks old, and his first birthday party was baseball themed, complete with hot dogs and peanuts. Well, with all of the baseball talk lately, and the movie 42 coming out today, Dave and I got to talking about our favorite baseball movies. There sure are a lot of them, but a few stuck out in my mind, nostalgia from my childhood, and 2 newer ones that are definitely contenders on my list. Here we go!
#1- My all time favorite, The Sandlot!- Duh. But seriously, this movie is a contender for favorite movie of all time for me, so it definitely deserves the top spot. I can pretty much quote the entire movie, "You play ball like a GIRL!" Why yes, I do, thank you! From Smalls' long billed hat, so Vinny's rolled jeans and new shoes, Wendy Peffercorn to Hercules, that's my childhood. I think any kid who played baseball wished for a group of buddies like this, and a place to play that was just yours. Where your biggest worry was scrounging up 50 cents to buy another baseball. Dave and I have already started telling AJ, "You're killing me Smalls!" Whats not to love about this movie?
And in no specific order, here are the rest of my fave's.
Rookie Of the Year- Thomas Ian Nicholas was a teen heartthrob when I was a tween, plus it was such a cute baseball movie, once again every kids dream! What little leauguer doesn't dream of going pro, but at 12?! That's crazy, and I'm glad that the movie really sends that message, to be a kid and enjoy it as long as you can, because eventually you will grow up and there's plenty of time to be a ball player later.
A League Of Their Own- The Rockford Peaches are Sassy, Classy and a little Smart Assy for sure! This one has another of my favorite baseball movie quotes, "There's no crying in baseball!" Tome hanks is great in this movie, coaching a team of misfit women while the men are at war. Superb cast and acting by all. I love that this movie is based off a true story.
The Rookie- Dennis Quaid, need I say more?
Moneyball- A really interesting look at how teams are formed and payed for and players are traded literally, like baseball cards. I'm not a Brad Pitt fan, but I did like his portrayal as the losing manager who has to do something to change the game. Definitely will become a classic someday.
Trouble with the Curve- Seriously great cast in this father daughter dramedy. Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake really light up the screen and you forget that Clint Eastwood is even in the movie.
Fever Pitch- Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore are wicked cute in this comedy about love and the Red Sox. You can't change a mans love for his team, and you shouldn't try. I love that this movie was shot live during the season and they won the world series surprisingly.
I know I am missing some classics, like Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and Bad News Bears, but these are MY favorite movies, that came out during my childhood through now and they've really impacted me more than the others. I feel like almost any movie about baseball is going to be good, it is after all Americas pastime. Anyone else have favorites, or what do you love about these movies?
And of course, we have to have a pic of my favorite rookie of this year, our MVP!