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Isn’t it odd that for 90% of any given game, baseball is quintessentially a boring sport. And yet, movies about baseball are incredibly exciting and entertaining 90% of the time. It’s a fascinating contrast to say the least.
Spring training is here and that means baseball is in “full swing” (had to). Admittedly not a fan of the professional adaptation of Stickball, the amateur version can be fun to play…or at least enjoyable to watch in a movie. It’s an important part of the American fabric of sports. That’s undeniable. However, baseball also has a serious drug and cultural stigma and has, thus far, refused to adequately deal with this contagious problem.
Resisting the temptation to list all the negatives about baseball (they are plentiful), instead the following will be a surprisingly laudable tribute to the one constant every fan and non-fan can agree upon: great films have been made about baseball.
An important note: I do have a few great memories of going to baseball games. This includes venturing down the road to a AAA baseball game on a slow summer day (with a Beach Boys performance!), a Cleveland Indians game in the mid-nineties with a best friend when the Tribe was stellar, watching the Atlanta Braves in “Hotlanta,” a day trip to Chicago with a first time visit to Wrigley Field to take in a Cubs game and seeing a Yankees-Royals game in the now torn down Yankees Stadium.
Am I a fan of the actual game? No, not so much. But every once in a while, it is a great American tradition to take part in. At this point, the “once in a while” qualifies as one game, each having a special significance, approximately every few years. So far, so good. This means my next game is right around the corner…literally. The Columbus Clippers have won two championships within the past three years. Will I be heading to Huntington Park this summer?
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, starting this morning.
Here is the first clip as part of a collection of the best movies that have stood the test of time in terms of popular culture and childhood memories.
Let’s start off with a classic.
Play ball!
Happy Monday!
For four teams in the Sweet Sixteen (Ohio State, Arizona, Wichita State and La Salle), the Staples Center in Los Angeles will be their venue this weekend. Be sure if you’re going to watch that you not only have a ticket, but also that you’re sitting in the right seat…or else.
And this goes for everybody!
“Don’t you, forget about me…”
12:15 p.m. Pens, pencils and fingers down. Let the madness begin!
March 21st is not only the day the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament starts (sans play-in games), but is also the second day of Spring. An important question to ask ourselves before the sealing wax is impressed on the envelope containing our acutely examined NCAA bracket is, “Which team will be ‘reborn’ during this tournament?”
There is no consensus “best team” in the nation. Number one seeds are naturally perceived as the favorites and most likely to win. However, Louisville, Indiana, Gonzaga and Kansas have not been dominant throughout the entire season. Each has had its stumbles and one, in particular, has endured embarrassing losses (cough cough–Kansas). Neither of these teams have a “golden ticket” to the National Championship or the Final Four.
In terms of being ‘reborn,’ this references to a team or teams that are very good, but have had a couple bad setbacks and therefore lost the attention of the country and commentators. One of the vital factors, if not the most important in making this determination, is the man who sits second in from the scorers table. A college head coach, more so than in the NBA, can spark an improbable comeback and maintain composure with his players in the most frantic and stressful situations.
The evening of January 19th was a prime example of the magic that is yearned for every year in college basketball. The game was close throughout and literally came down to the last play of the game. Relive the madness, January edition.
Brad Stevens is the coolest coach under pressure in college basketball today. His teams are fundamentally sound and he is refreshing in his demeanor. Stevens is grateful in victory and gracious in defeat. The Bulldogs did lose five games in conference and finished third at the conclusion of the Atlantic 10 regular season. Even despite their past success, most have put them in the, pardon the pun, “doghouse.”
I am not predicting Butler to win the national championship, but they did beat Gonzaga (#1 seed) and Indiana (#1 seed) in close games this season. Usually, victories in late March come down to a final shot or defensive stand…
And is it just me, or does it seem like Brad Stevens was born for this.
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