Top 10 Baseball Songs & Movies
Movies
This is a documentary about the history of the game. For the casual fan, it will give him/her the most comprehensive account of the greatest sport on Earth. If not even for that, this documentary gets the #1 billing for Buck O’Neils old-timey tales and tidbits.
An HBO documentary covering baseball from the depression to the 1960’s, When It Was A Game is a film composed entirely of footage from home movie cameras shot by players and fans. The result is an incredible look at players and stadiums of the past and the film captures our heroes in candid and relaxed moments.
2. The Rookie
Based on the true story of Jimmy Morris, high school science teacher, who tried out for the Devil Rays at an open try out and eventually made the team at age 40. It is a personal favourite of mine because I share the same dream and hold it dear to my heart. Someday!!
3. The Natural
Robert Redford has the prettiest hair and it is a great story. A must see for any baseball fan or otherwise.
What more can be said about this movie that hasn’t already been said. Simply spectacular.
5. Bull Durham
Probably the most accurate protrayal of the minor-league baseball life, not that I would know. My favourite part is when Crash Davis schools Nuke Laloosh on the cliches that he will need to use when he makes it to the bigs. So true.
6. Major League
Just a fun movie to watch. Major League II is a little bit worse, but save your self the misery and skip over Major League III.
7. The Sandlot
A movie about kids just playing ball in the local sandlot. It reminds me of my youth, and harkens back to a time when the game was pure and true.
8. Mr. Baseball
This flick follows the ever-studly Tom Selleck as a former Yankee who gets sold to a team in Japan. It is interesting for those who might want to see what Japanese Baseball is all about, and for those Magnum P.I. fans who can’t get enough of Selleck’s fearsome moustache.
I’m not going to lie to you, if there is a Kevin Costner baseball movie out, I am going to watch it and like it (and so should you). This movie lays on the syrup pretty thick, but it is also kinda cool to see how big league players live their day to day lives between games and in the offseason.
10. Bad News Bears (The Original)
A drunken baseball coach turns a team of misfits into a star team in an ultra competitive Californian little league. Good times.
Honourable Mention: Summer Catch
This is an absolutely terrible baseball movie. Obviously the producers haven’t a clue as to how the game is played. HOWEVER, you must see this movie for this reason alone: Jessica Biel climbing out of the pool and walking around her backyard. Outstanding!
Worst baseball movie ever: Rookie of the Year
This just in: We just did a movie review on the new release Sugar. Check it out.
Songs
1. OK Blue Jays (Let’s Play Ball!)
Alright, so I am biased. You can appreciate it here.
2. John Fogerty – Centrefield
THE baseball song. “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play – today. I can be Centrefield.”
3. Take Me Out To The Ballgame
4. Les Brown – Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio
As heard here on Mop Up Duty.
5. The Treniers – Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)
Featuring Willie Mays on backing vocals!
6. Kenny Rogers – The Greatest
A bit of a sorry song about a young child playing baseball, but the Gambler turns the tables on us in the end!
7. Teresa Brewer – I Love Mickey
Featuring the Mick on backing vocals!
8. Terry Cashman – Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Talkin’ Baseball)
A great song, and Cashman put out a CD that includes Talkin’ Baseball with customized lyrics for every MLB team. Order it here. You might also have heard him do the Simpson’s version, “Talkin’ Softball”.
9. Alabama – Cheap Seats
10. Randy Newman – The Theme To The Natural
Honourable Mention:
Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days
He refers to a fastball as a speed-ball. Nice touch.
Joan Jett – Wild Thing
Everytime I listen to this song, I can’t help but think of Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn coming out of the pen in Major League.
Okay folks, that’s it that’s all. Throw down your compliments and complaints and let us know what your top 10 would be.
Good list, some of the links don’t work but the editor can be a pain. Gotta respect the Ken Burns love, certainly has to be #1 just for the sheer length of the documentary (18 hours). Also, Mr. Baseball takes two shots right at me when Selleck is traded, first he pleads “not cleveland!” and then he follows that up with “Canada? I’m not paying those taxes!”
I like your lists. Here’s a few that would be on mine;
Movies:
Eight Men Out
Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
Forget the name but PBS Documentary on the current Cuban baseball climate
Songs:
Maybe not a baseball song but the Major League Randy Newman Song during the beginning credits.
Thanks for the heads up, all links now work.