“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” -Rogers Hornsby
With spring training underway, baseball fans are anxiously anticipating Opening Day. If you feel like you might explode if baseball season doesn’t hurry up and get here already, then here are a few movies that will hold you over and get you pumped for Opening Day.
For the Baseball History Buff
42 (2013)
This movie follows legendary player Jackie Robinson and his journey with the Brooklyn Dodgers as he breaks the color barrier in major league baseball.
Eight Men Out (1988)
Eight Men Out dramatizes the infamous Black Sock Scandal. The Chicago White Sox lose the 1919 World Series and a few players are later accused of intentionally throwing games in exchange for bribes.
Pride of the Yankees (1942)
This black and white film honors the life and career of legendary New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig.
Moneyball (2011)
Nominated for six Academy Awards, Moneyball tells the story of 2002 Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane as he is faced with the challenge of assembling a team with the franchise's limited budget.
For Childhood Nostalgia
Little Big League (1994)
A 12 year old boy inherits the ownership of the Minnesota Twins and then becomes their manager.
The Sandlot (1993)
This movie follows the crazy adventures of a group of boys who play baseball together at the local sandlot.
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
In this remake of the original 1951 movie, a young boy prays for a family after his father, who he has limited contact with, sarcastically says they can be a family again “when the Angels win the pennant”. He then begins to see angels helping the team unbeknownst to everyone else.
For Watching with the Buddy Who Doesn’t Understand Baseball
The Natural (1984)
Nominated for four Academy Awards, The Natural follows the story of Roy Hobbs, a young man that shows natural talent for baseball and how he faces adversity to fulfill his childhood dreams of playing in the big leagues.
Field of Dreams (1989)
A farmer builds a baseball field after hearing a voice telling him to do so. Soon the ghosts of legendary players begin to appear and play on the field.
A League of Their Own (1992)
A professional all-female baseball league is created in response to the lack of men due to World War II. Two sisters join the league and let their rivalry get in the way of their team's success.
For Love of the Game (1999)
40 year old baseball player Billy Chapel is pitching a perfect game and nearing the end of his career. As he pitches, he reflects on his career and his on and off again relationship.
For the Documentary Addict
When It Was a Game (1991)
When it was a game is a three part HBO series that captures the greatest baseball legends of all time through home movie footage provided by players and fans.
Baseball: A Film By Ken Burns (1994)
This documentary is divided into nine “innings”, each one focusing on a different era in baseball.
Steve Bartman: Catching Hell (2011)
Catching Hell sheds light on the Cubs fan infamous for interfering with a play during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS Chicago Cubs playoff game.
