What a great time of year for sports! March Madness is here with the NCAA basketball tournament and, even better, Baseball's opening day is almost here. The Red Sox and A's will play two games in Japan beginning Tuesday (March 25^th) to kick off the season. Most of the other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, will celebrate opening day on Monday, March 31^st. I can't wait.

With all of this sports excitement, I was thinking of publishing my Top 10 Favorite Sports Movies list, but then I decided to narrow it down further to just my favorite baseball movies. I will publish the all sports movies list at another time. Being a big baseball fan, I am automatically drawn to a great baseball movie. The ironic side to this is that though these movies revolve around the sport, it's the stories and characters that make these films special to me.

There have been many baseball-related movies released over the years. Not all have been good, but some have been extraordinary. Here are OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 FAVORITE BASEBALL MOVIES:
Honorable Mention. I am going to give honorable mention to two movies this time. The Rookie (2002) - This is the Disney movie starring Dennis Quaid as former major league pitcher Jim Morris. It is based on the novel that Morris wrote titled The Oldest Rookie which I had read in 2001 before the movie had been made. It is a true and very inspirational story making for a perfect Disney movie. I would definitely recommend the book and the movie is worth seeing as well. For Love of the Game (1999) - If this movie would have made the Top 10, it would be the third movie on the list starring Kevin Costner. This one was very close to making the Top 10 because I really appreciate the way it depicts the personal sacrifices that the ballplayers have to make to achieve even a moderate level of success in their sport. I felt both of these films at least deserved an honorable mention.

10. Rookie of the Year (1993) - Now, I admit this movie is quite unbelievable and not necessarily worthy of critical acclaim, but I have always found it to be a very touching story which has incredibly funny parts. It is a story about a boy who hurts his arm and it heals somehow giving him powerful strength which allows him to ultimately become a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. As I said, pretty unbelievable, but here is a link to watch some of the best moments from this movie. Daniel Stern plays the pitching coach and he just makes me laugh every time I watch it. It is a silly movie, but definitely one that you can watch with your family.

9. Fever Pitch (2005) - This movie culminates in the surprising Boston Red Sox World Series victory in 2004 and the final scene of the movie was shot during the actual series clinching victory. The most essential part of any movie to me is the character development and interaction. I felt that Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon had surprisingly fantastic chemistry and that really allowed this film to succeed. It is just a very nice romantic comedy and if you are a baseball fan you will just like it a little more. Here is a link to watch a video summary of the movie.

8. A League of Their Own (1992) - This movie, directed by Penny Marshall, is based on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Though the league was very real, this particular story is fiction. It features a tremendous cast including Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty and David Strathairn, but it is Tom Hanks' performance as "Jimmy Dugan" which I feel really makes this film special. I honestly believe this is some of the best work the amazing Hanks has ever done in his illustrious career. Here is a link to a one of my favorite scenes where Hanks' character explains that there is "no crying in baseball." The film has wonderful character interaction as well as a great message of the comradery and capabilities of women in a setting that we are more familiar seeing men in.

7. The Bad News Bears (1976) - This is the oldest film to make my Top 10 and that is because I can still watch it today and be incredibly entertained. It is the story of Morris Buttermaker, played beautifully by Walter Matthau, as he coaches a little league team full of misfits to success. I really like what critic Roger Ebert said about this film back in 1976 when he called it "an unblinking, scathing look at competition in American society." I also feel the film examines kids learning to respect themselves and each other and witnessing the results those actions can have. Watching it in today's politically correct society, you will notice many parts that probably would not be accepted now (including vulgarity, ethnic slurs and the coach with a beer constantly in his hand). Despite that, this movie will always hold a fond place with me. Here is a link to watch a video showing still shots from the film set to its distinctive musical score. It was re-made starring Billy Bob Thornton in 2005, but could not come close to the original.

6. The Natural (1984) - This film is based on the Bernard Malamud novel from 1952 of the same name. It was directed by Barry Levinson and stars Robert Redford as "Roy Hobbs." The film explores the obstacles to overcome and hard work necessary to make his dream come true. There is kind of a magical glow radiating during many of the scenes and the perfect score by Randy Newman gives you goose bumps at times. When Redford's character hits that miraculous home run off of the lights, it is pure gold. Here is a link to watch the video of that scene, it is taken out of context, but you can still see for yourself.

5. Eight Men Out (1988) - This film told the story of the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal in which members of the Chicago White Sox were convicted of conspiring with gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series. It featured an outstanding cast including John Cusack, D.B. Sweeney, Charlie Sheen, John Mahoney, David Strathairn, Christopher Lloyd among others. To me, it takes a special movie to hold your attention and entertain you even when you know what ultimately happens at the end. This film does just that by telling this compelling story and allowing the characters to develop. I would consider this a must see especially for any baseball fan.

4. Field of Dreams (1989) - This movie is so much deeper than simply a baseball movie, but since baseball is at its roots it definitely belongs on this list. It stars Kevin Costner as an Iowa corn farmer who hears the now famous voice tell him "If you build it, he will come." I love the tag line for this film which reads, "All his life, Ray Kinsella was searching for his dreams. Then one day, his dreams came searching for him." The movie, which was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar but did not win, really seems to be about second chances as that is what all of the characters seem to receive through this experience. This film also stars James Earl Jones who has one of the best speeches which really helps summarize why so many of us love baseball so much. Here is a link so you can watch that particular scene from the film.

3. The Sandlot (1993) - This charming film ranked #7 on my list of most underrated movies which you should also check out. At the surface it appears to be a kids movie, but I feel it really appeals even more to adults. This coming of age film really shows the pure joy of the game and features outstanding characters and dialogue. Here are links to a scene where the kids are playing ball during the 4th of July fireworks and another great scene where rivals hurl insults back and forth like only kids can. It is just a truly special movie in my opinion.

2. Bull Durham (1988) - This movie about love and baseball was written and directed by Ron Shelton (who was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for it) and stars Kevin Costner as "Crash Davis." It also stars Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon and tells the story of two baseball players at opposite ends of their careers. Both players cross paths playing for a minor league baseball team and also compete for the attention of the same woman. Fantastic character development and interaction is at the heart of this film which also has its share of funny moments, too. It depicts some of the best and worst aspects of minor league baseball and human relationships, too. Here is a link to watch the original trailer for the movie.

1. Major League (1989) - I'm sure you are not surprised this film made the Top 10, but I am pretty sure you are surprised it is ranked #1. Though many do not give it the credit it deserves, I feel this is one of the funniest sports movies of all time. As I have mentioned many times, I believe the biggest factor creating greatness in a movie is character development and character interaction. This movie has outstanding characters and their interaction with each other is hilarious. It stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen and was the first breakthrough role for Wesley Snipes. One of my very favorite characters is the team's radio broadcaster, "Harry Doyle," played by the great Bob Uecker. The baseball aspect to the movie is very well represented as well and I feel that helps make the film that much more genuine. I am also very partial to this movie because it was filmed here in Milwaukee at the old County Stadium. I was able to attend some of the filming as a "face in the crowd" and even was able to storm the field after the big win at the end. Here is a link to watch the end of this movie and if you knew where to look you could see me running onto the field. This clip does not properly reflect the comedy aspect of the film, but I encourage you to watch the entire movie yourself as we get ready for baseball season to begin.

There is my list, but please remember that these are ranked by my favorites and my criteria for this list was based more on entertainment value rather than cinematic excellence (which should be obvious). One film not listed, but often included in the discussion of great baseball movies is the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees which starred Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig. Though I acknowledge it as a great story and the Yankees Stadium speech at the end is a special moment, it would have made my list of best baseball movies but just does not make my favorites. The great thing about all of the movies I listed is that they all are connected to baseball, but each has a unique story to tell in its own regard.

That will wrap up this issue of Kickin' it. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it. Please be sure that you have not missed any past issues of Kickin' it Old School by clicking on the archive buttons in the upper left column. Happy Easter to you all. Peace and much love.

Check this out: The video to the 80s song by John Fogarty "Centerfield" includes baseball highlights. I always enjoyed this video back from the time when MTV actually played music videos and here is a link to check it out yourself.  Turn up the volume and enjoy!

Quote of the day: "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and all it could be again." -character Terence Mann played by James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams

Download this: "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding