Nerd 5 Top 5 Best Baseball Movies

April is upon us, which means that baseball season is finally here. For us fans that means 162 games of glory as our boys of summer try to pull off minor miracles and make the dreams of their fans come true. Now, this blog is called Nerd 5, and so how I’m writing an article based on sports films? Well, I’m just that kind of nerd. But the reason for this article is threefold, the second being the release of 42. 42 tells the story of a true American hero, Jackie Robinson, and his struggle to break the color barrier in baseball and in America. The third and final reason is that I love a good baseball movie (heck I love a bad baseball movie), so this Nerd 5 Top 5 is dedicated the best baseball films of all time.

Before we jump into the list, I’ve got to quickly touch on a bunch of films that are all very good don’t quite make my personal top 5. Here’s a quick glance at some almost Nerd 5 quality films.

Classics That Don’t Quite Hold: Pride of The Yankees (1942), Damn Yankees! (1958).

An Amazing Documentary for Baseball Historians: Baseball by Ken Burns (1994/2010).

Not Good Films, But Enjoyable: Fever Pitch (2005), The Sandlot (1993).

Everyone Else’s #1: Bull Durham (1988) or The Natural (1984) a quick aside about these two films – Bull Durham and The Natural are pretty universally acclaimed as the two best baseball films of all time, and although I agree that they’re good, they simply aren’t my cup of tea.

Honorable Mentions: 61* (2001) A passion project for director Billy Crystal, a life-long Yankees fan, tells the story of the summer of ’61 when Mickey Mantle and Rodger Marris were in race to do the unthinkable, break Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record. A surprisingly touching and very well made film for HBO.  Moneyball (2011) A modern-day baseball film for a modern-day baseball subject; Moneyball deals with the changes in the baseball front office in the most compelling way it can, get Aaron Sorkin to write to the script. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill shine in the story of ’01 Oakland A’s, and it’s more than worth your time to watch.

Ok, here we go…

5. Major League (1989) Dir. David S. Ward, Staring: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Bob Uecker and Wesley Snipes – One of the few true- blue comedies in all of baseball film history, Major League manages to strike the perfect balance between comedy and drama. There’s nothing new here plotwise (what you think is going to happen will and does happen at every turn) but that’s okay because the strength of this film is its extremely unlikely group of lovable losers. Most baseball films are an example of how to make an ensemble film since you root for a team, not a person. Major League is filled with so many great performances and memorable characters that it’s hard not to root for these misfits. But what really puts this one over the top is Bob Uecker. Uecker is an actual baseball announcer (currently the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers) and gives some of the most hilarious lines of the film as the announcer for the Cleveland Indians, and sells every moment of this film. Without Uecker, Major League would be sent back to the minors. It was followed by two sequels, Major League II is far better than the third installment, but nothing compared to the original.

4. Field of Dreams (1989) Dir. Phil A. Robinson, Staring: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones and Ray Liotta – No list is complete without a trip that famous Iowa cornfield where we all learned “If you build it, he will come.” This film has become a timeless classic for all generations, and a love letter to all fathers and sons. Kevin Costner stars in this film (one of three baseball films he’s known for, along with Bull Durham and For Love of the Game) and shines as Ray, a down on his luck farmer that starts to hear voices. The glory of Field of Dreams is that it taps into two very strong human instincts. First, to follow our dreams at any cost, and second, to find one more moment with our loved ones (for Ray, his dad). Dreams has great performances, a compelling story, and a cranky James Earl Jones, what could be better? For a baseball film there is a shockingly small amount baseball in this movie, but there is absolutely no question that Field of Dreams is a good a baseball film as there is, not to be missed by any fan of the game.

3. 8 Men Out (1988) Dir. John Sayles, Staring: David Strathairn, John Cusack, Michael Lerner, John Mahoney, D.B. Sweeny, Christopher Lloyd and Charlie Sheen – Eight Men Out tells the story of the 1919 Black Sox’s Scandal and it is wonderfully told. We really get to know the players, coaches, owners, and all others involved with this black mark on American baseball history. For those unfamiliar with the story, I won’t going to give it away here in hopes that you will seek out this lesser-known great. So what makes Eight Men Out great? The action on the field is just as compelling as the action off the field. We really get to understand each of our characters and their motivations. Outstanding performances by Strathairn and Cusack are the heart of this little film that could. Eight Men Out was one of the first independent films to make it big within the studio system and helped paved the way for the indy/Sundance revolution of the 90’s. It’ a great watch and a historically important film as well. Take the time to find this gem.

2. A League of Their Own (1992) Dir. Penny Marshall, Staring: Genna Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz and David Strathairn – The number two spot goes to the ladies of the All-American League, and the only female professional baseball league in history. This film tells the story of how this league came into existence, why it was needed, and how it succeeded all while telling a compelling story of Dottie (Genna Davis) and her kid sister Kit (Lori Petty). Some of the best on-field storytelling I’ve seen, the script uses the game to tell its story rather than using it as a backdrop, and does so spectacularly. My personal favorite is Tom Hank’s performance is in this film. He plays a drunken former MLB star who learns to love life and the game of baseball again through the actions of the film. I could gush all day about what make A League of Their Own great, but I’ll leave it the film to speak for itself.

A remake of this movie would be Bad News... oh yeah...oops.

1. The Bad News Bears (1976) Dir. Michael Ritchie, Staring: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’ Neal and Jackie Earle Haley – A film that could never be made today, a film that captures a time in America brilliantly, and a film that presents us with an underdog so big you can’t help but root him and his team of little leaguers. Out of a career full of wonderful performances, Matthau shows his true genius as Coach Buttermaker, who is the real underdog of the film. Even though he is a terrible human, we really care for him and want him to learn his lesson. Tatum O’ Neal shines and leads a cast of young actors who are on-point in every scene. There are few moments in the film that seem shocking to us now (the language and actions of some of the young little leaguers is tame by today’s standards) but what is great about The Bad News Bears is that it really shines a light on what love is and what it truly means to care for someone. For me The Bad News Bears is the best baseball film all time, and one of my personal all time favorites.

Enjoy these great baseball films, and enjoy baseball season! From Josh here at Nerd 5, play ball!