Monthly Archives: March 2013
Top of the Fifth
“As a celebration of the magic of movies involving baseball, at least one scene from a different film will be posted each day for the next nine days…”
—From “Top of the First” March 28th
Inspiration can transform mediocrity into greatness. Sometimes, this can be accomplished with a motivational thirty seconds from the “skipper” himself. Being proud of a win, he will speak as if the entire world is anxiously awaiting his infinite words of wisdom. Thankfully, I have located such a moment that happened to be recorded…for a movie.
Take a deep breath and prepare yourself to listen to a speech that transcends everything we know about the world (or at least comes pretty close).
Bottom of the Fourth
“As a celebration of the magic of movies involving baseball, at least one scene from a different film will be posted each day for the next nine days…”
—From “Top of the First” March 28th
Today is March 31st and officially Opening Day of Major League Baseball. The Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers tonight for the first game of the 2013 season. Accordingly, coaches and players are finalizing their lineups and strategies for the first few games. Cohesion is vital for clubs that want to perform at the highest level. It’s essential that everybody be on the same page. Once the first pitch is thrown, all the members of the team need to have, “all hands on deck.”
What happens if there is a discrepancy? Hopefully, there is a leader who can take his teammates through any mutinies. Otherwise, it could be “bad news.”
Top of the Fourth
“As a celebration of the magic of movies involving baseball, at least one scene from a different film will be posted each day for the next nine days…”
—From “Top of the First” March 28th
In baseball, there are blocks of time during a game that are uneventful. And in this case, the third inning didn’t see anything particularly out of the ordinary and, as a result, we will continue on to the fourth inning.
Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Baseball Address” is one of the most famous, if not the most famous, speeches given by an athlete in sports history. According to the second video below, he learned that he was diagnosed with the disease ALS. It would later become known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Subsequently, the Yankee slugger learned he had just three years to live as a result. About a month and a half later, on July 4, 1939, Gehrig stood before a stand of microphones at or around home plate and gave an emotional speech that continues to inspire more than seven decades later. Fittingly, the Yankee organization declared it, “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.” They scheduled the event upon first hearing of his news. The most famous line is considered to be, “Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth.”
The major motion picture, “Pride of the Yankees” includes this very address. Below is the scene, as well as footage from the actual ceremony.
Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Bottom of the Second
“As a celebration of the magic of movies involving baseball, at least one scene from a different film will be posted each day for the next nine days…”
—From “Top of the First” March 28th
Kevin Costner is one of the few actors who warrants a “must see” quality about his films. His movies range from investigating the assassination of JFK to being hired as the bodyguard to a pop sensation to some dancing with wolves… lots of ‘dancing’ (in fact, 4 hours worth!). Plus, we cannot forget about his Apple commercial. Like the product, pure genius.
Any great collection of baseball movies and classic scenes has to star Kevin Costner at least once.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the incomparable Kevin Costner…or should I say “Crash” Davis.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 