Baseball Fever

 

What can I say except, I hope the Blue Jays win…but I doubt it. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think so. This made me think about America’s pastime and the many films  made about this sport. My brother loves baseball and has played baseball in 7 decades only stopping because his knees have given out ( he has to go for knee replacements). He has collected an immense array of baseball cards and is an expert on the value of baseball cards plus so much more. There are some major baseball films I still have to see-“ Pride of the Yankees”, “the Stratton Story”, “The Natural” and “Damn Yankees” plus more but I have chosen 3 that, I hope, I have not spoken bout before, but I could be wrong…lol.

1. FIELD OF DREAMS-1989

This is a very famous film now and I would consider it a classic which is rare for me since classics come from the early 60s back to the early 30s. This film is written and directed in a way that make a person believe  in themselves and in hope and faith. Kevin Costner is a farmer  who hears voices coming from his  cornfield, so builds a baseball diamond because, well, this will bring great sports men from the beyond to play ball. Everyone, including his wife, thinks he’s nuts but he keeps building things up and then takes off to find Darth Vader..er… Darth Vader’s voice, namely James Earl Jones who is a reclusive writer who hears the voices as well. They pick up an old Doctor, Burt Lancaster, who coulda been a contender, and they head back to the cornfield. This is an enchanting film that makes you believe in the common basics of human dignity, second chances and faith. It’s called a Capraesque film and I agree since you are left with a smile on your face and a belief in what we can’t see but we know it is there.

2. A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN-1992

I do love this film based on a true story about the women’s league in baseball during World War 2. Geena Davis plays the lead baseball gal who shows real promise as a player. Her sister, also talented, has some major jealousy issues as her sister gets a lot of press. Tom Hanks plays the old baseball great, once great, who is an alcoholic, doesn’t care about life and is now saddled as the coach of these young women who want to play ball. You have Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna who really make a great team as friends on the team. I love the other gals who shine in their roles as a mom with the most irritating brat to a “wallflower”   Aka ugly gal, who is a great ball player. It is fun, sad and endearing. Quick note, my brother met some of the actual ladies who were part of the women’s league which is very cool.

3. 42-2013

Chadwick Boseman, man, I miss this actor, plays Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player hired to play in the major leagues but must contend with the disgusting prejudice that he had to endure from the higher ups, the fans and his fellow players. Chadwick Boseman deserved all the accolades and Harrison Ford is excellent as his manager who believes in him and what he stands for. This is more than just a baseball film, it’s a film about a heroic man who set the way for Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and many others to make the big leagues. What this man faced shows how much strength he endured but with dignity despite the anger he felt and had to endure. 

What baseball films have you seen?