Gabbing w/ Gamble: What’s your favorite baseball movie?

Hello and welcome back to another off-season edition of our weekly chat. The question taking you into your weekend this time: What is your favorite baseball movie?

There’s no shortage of choices for this one, and no one’s answer is better than another’s. Something about baseball has lent itself well to making good movies, and every baseball fan has their favorite. I’ll take you through a few of the ones that I consider to be my favorites before giving you the chance of discussing your choices in the comments.

Field of Dreams

I suspect this will be a popular choice. Field of Dreams is an unimpeachable classic, a baseball movie that appeals to the most nostalgic parts of us and really tugs on the heart-strings. Just consider this quote:

“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 of us of all that once was good and it could be again.”

Chills.

Moneyball

What makes Moneyball really unique is its real-life relevance today. While there have been other baseball movies that were made from real-life accounts, Moneyball covered a movement in baseball front offices that continues today. It pulled back the curtain on some of the more intimate parts of the game, and featured some very good writing, acting, and directing.

The Sandlot

Sandlot is the perfect type of “kids movie”. It appeals to children and adults alike by showing us a time of life that some are experiencing, and many look back on fondly. It’s the perfect capture of American summertime.

Bull Durham

This is my pick, and what I believe to be the best baseball movie as well. Bull Durham’s portrayal of life in minor league baseball, from locker room to bar to bus ride to field, all feels more authentic than any of the other baseball movies. Kevin Costner’s wise-cracking journeyman catcher Crash Davis is an all-time baseball movie character, and this movie hits all the right notes.

Honorable Mentions: Major League, Eight Men Out, The Natural, A League of Their Own, and Bad News Bears

Now it’s your turn! What do you think? Which baseball movie is your favorite? Let us know in the comment section!