On Tuesday 9 March 2010 a book was published titled: The Baseball Fan’s Bucket List: 162 Things You Must Do, See, Get, and Experience Before You Die, by Robert Santelli and Jenna Santelli. The book’s table of contents lists all 162 items per the authors’ ranking. I have taken that list and organized it into twelve categories, which I find easier to consider when dealing with the list. I will be presenting each category alphabetically over the course of the 2011 baseball season. The number to the left of each item is its position on the Santellis’ list. Today’s category number six out of twelve is:
MOVIES – Part 2
39 Watch The Movie, The Rookie
Based on a true story, The Rookie offers inspiration not only for aspiring Major League players, but for anyone who has a dream unfulfilled. This drama is the 2002 telling of Jim Morris’ life, who grew up in that bastion of baseball - the state of Texas (sarcasm, just in case you’re wondering). With the support of his family, Jim pursues his late-in-baseball-life travels/travails through the Minors until his debut in the Majors. What is your baseball dream? Life dream? The Rookie is available on DVD in Full Screen and Widescreen editions.
43 Watch The Movie, For Love Of The Game
This 1999 romantic drama, For Love of the Game, is based on the 1991 book of the same name. Another Kevin Costner baseball film (Bull Durham, Field of Dreams), the action takes places on the pitcher’s mound and in the pitcher’s mind. Costner’s Billy Chapel is pitching the final game of his Hall-of-Fame career and as he proceeds to pitch a perfect game, Billy reminisces on his not-so-perfect love life. Will Billy be able to take those back-and-forth memories and find a new life when the game is over? For Love of the Game is available on DVD.
54 Watch The Movie, 61*
In the 2001 made-for-television movie 61*, two baseball players compete to break Babe Ruth’s 1927 single season record of 60 homeruns. The year is 1961 and the ballplayers are teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris of the New York Yankees. They are a study in contrasts - one is loved by fans, the other hated; one is a womanizer, the other married; one fails, the other prevails. With the backdrop of Mark McGwire’s bid to surpass the record that Mantle or Maris broke, an historic season with the Yankees unfolds. 61* is available on DVD.
62 Watch The Movie, Soul Of The Game
The 1996 made-for-television movie, Soul of the Game, focuses on Negro League baseball players Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson. And how Robinson’s signing to integrate Major League Baseball put a strain on the relationship between them. Fortunately, there is a positive resolution and baseball life continued. Soul of the Game is available on DVD.
73 Watch The Movie, Major League
This 1989 comedy, Major League, portrays a season (not-based-on-reality) with the Cleveland Indians. The team is made up of misfits who somehow manage to win their division and thwart the plans of the new owner to move the team to Miami. Only by having a low attendance could the team’s owner break the contract with Cleveland and Rachel Phelps’ idea to field an absolutely poor-performing team utterly backfires. Watch a pitcher who has no control, a base stealer who can’t get on base and a batter who performs voodoo ceremonies. This film spawned two sequels – Major League II (1994) and Major League: Back to the Minors (1998). All three films are available on DVD.
74 Watch The Documentary, The Life And Times Of Hank Greenberg
A 1998 documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, presents the story of Hall of Fame and Jewish baseball player Hank Greenberg. It is through interviews with family, friends and teammates, as well as film footage that Greenberg’s life is told. And along the way, America’s story is revealed in that era. The documentary is available on DVD.
Images:
Left: For Love of the Game from the website imdb.com
Center: Soul of the Game from the website imdb.com
Right: The Rookie from the website amazon.com
MOVIES – Part 2
39 Watch The Movie, The Rookie
Based on a true story, The Rookie offers inspiration not only for aspiring Major League players, but for anyone who has a dream unfulfilled. This drama is the 2002 telling of Jim Morris’ life, who grew up in that bastion of baseball - the state of Texas (sarcasm, just in case you’re wondering). With the support of his family, Jim pursues his late-in-baseball-life travels/travails through the Minors until his debut in the Majors. What is your baseball dream? Life dream? The Rookie is available on DVD in Full Screen and Widescreen editions.
43 Watch The Movie, For Love Of The Game
This 1999 romantic drama, For Love of the Game, is based on the 1991 book of the same name. Another Kevin Costner baseball film (Bull Durham, Field of Dreams), the action takes places on the pitcher’s mound and in the pitcher’s mind. Costner’s Billy Chapel is pitching the final game of his Hall-of-Fame career and as he proceeds to pitch a perfect game, Billy reminisces on his not-so-perfect love life. Will Billy be able to take those back-and-forth memories and find a new life when the game is over? For Love of the Game is available on DVD.
54 Watch The Movie, 61*
In the 2001 made-for-television movie 61*, two baseball players compete to break Babe Ruth’s 1927 single season record of 60 homeruns. The year is 1961 and the ballplayers are teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris of the New York Yankees. They are a study in contrasts - one is loved by fans, the other hated; one is a womanizer, the other married; one fails, the other prevails. With the backdrop of Mark McGwire’s bid to surpass the record that Mantle or Maris broke, an historic season with the Yankees unfolds. 61* is available on DVD.
62 Watch The Movie, Soul Of The Game
The 1996 made-for-television movie, Soul of the Game, focuses on Negro League baseball players Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson. And how Robinson’s signing to integrate Major League Baseball put a strain on the relationship between them. Fortunately, there is a positive resolution and baseball life continued. Soul of the Game is available on DVD.
73 Watch The Movie, Major League
This 1989 comedy, Major League, portrays a season (not-based-on-reality) with the Cleveland Indians. The team is made up of misfits who somehow manage to win their division and thwart the plans of the new owner to move the team to Miami. Only by having a low attendance could the team’s owner break the contract with Cleveland and Rachel Phelps’ idea to field an absolutely poor-performing team utterly backfires. Watch a pitcher who has no control, a base stealer who can’t get on base and a batter who performs voodoo ceremonies. This film spawned two sequels – Major League II (1994) and Major League: Back to the Minors (1998). All three films are available on DVD.
74 Watch The Documentary, The Life And Times Of Hank Greenberg
A 1998 documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, presents the story of Hall of Fame and Jewish baseball player Hank Greenberg. It is through interviews with family, friends and teammates, as well as film footage that Greenberg’s life is told. And along the way, America’s story is revealed in that era. The documentary is available on DVD.
Images:
Left: For Love of the Game from the website imdb.com
Center: Soul of the Game from the website imdb.com
Right: The Rookie from the website amazon.com
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