Blog Archives

Bottom 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

For all of the fans who will make their way to stadiums to support their team, hopefully they will be filled with lots of enjoyment. While today is a work day, that doesn’t mean that people won’t find a way to get to the ballpark. Below is a short clip of the happiness that comes with watching a baseball game on a sunny afternoon in the one and only Wrigley Field.

And remember: Save Ferris!

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).

http://youtu.be/DnVrSZHnvYY

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

http://youtu.be/HbNrCxqxzgo

Lou Gehrig