10 Must Watch Movies Before Opening Day
Opening day for Major League Baseball is just around the corner. You can get in the mood with a bucket of popcorn, a hot dog, or peanuts, and those don’t only pair well with baseball, they can also pair well with a movie.
Here’s a list of movies I think are essential to watch to get in the mood for the long season ahead.
1. The Benchwarmers (2006)
Starting lighthearted with The Benchwarmers (2006). Rated PG-13, this movie is about three grown men who form a baseball team to compete with mean Little League bullies. The three men are played by Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Jon Heder.
2. The Sandlot (1993)
Next we have The Sandlot (1993). Rated PG, this movie is about a boy, Thomas Guiry, who moves into town during the summer. He ends up making friends with rowdy kids who play baseball at the sandlot. Through their friendship, they run into trouble, have fun, and most importantly, play baseball.
3. Fever Pitch (2005)
My personal favorite is Fever Pitch (2005). A young teacher and a businesswoman fall in love, despite their lack of similar interests. The teacher, who is played by Jimmy Fallon, has an immense love for the Boston Red Sox. This love for the Red Sox overshadows his love for the businesswoman, Drew Barrymore, threatening to ruin their relationship.
4. Major League (1989)
The next movie is Major League (1989). This movie is about a woman, Margaret Whitton, who inherits the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Cleveland Guardians). After gaining ownership of Cleveland, she wants to move the team to a warmer climate, but to do so she has to make some changes to the team….and those changes aren’t supposed to do Cleveland any good.
5. Rookie of the Year (1993)
Rookie of the Year (1993) follows the story of 12-year-old Little League player Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) after a freak accident that turned him into a star. His dream was to become a baseball player, just like his late father, and the Chicago Cubs took advantage of his accident.
The next five movies are less lighthearted, but they are based on the history and stories behind baseball’s biggest names.
6. 42 (2013)
42 (2013) is a movie that highlights the story of Jackie Robinson’s signing to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946. Robinson is played by Chadwick Boseman and the GM who signed Robinson, Branch Rickey, is played by Harrison Ford. This film covers how the color line was broken in Major League Baseball and how the pair demonstrate courage and win over fans' hearts to pave the way for modern baseball.
7. 61* (2001)
In 1961, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle played for the New York Yankees. The pair were competitors in the clubhouse and were on their way to reaching Babe Ruth’s 60-home run record. 61* (2001) covers their rivalry and how they approach the plate differently due to the hype fans have surrounded their names with.
8. The Natural (1984)
The Natural (1984) is based loosely on Philadelphia Phillies player Eddie Waitkus, renamed Roy Hobbs. Hobbs has big dreams of becoming a Major Leaguer until he is shot. This movie follows his redemption and rebirth as a player afterward.
9. Moneyball (2011)
Based loosely on the 2002 Oakland A’s, Moneyball (2011) is about general manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, and how he tries to bounce back after their 2001 post-season loss against the New York Yankees. Beane’s biggest challenge is his budget. Will he be able to outsmart the richer ball clubs, or will he end up with another loss at the end of the 2002 season?
10. Million Dollar Arm (2014)
Million Dollar Arm (2014) is based on a sports agent hungry to find new pitching talent for the Major Leagues. Jon Hamm plays the agent on his way to India to find a cricket player, or two, who could mature into Major League stats.
Whether you like baseball, or know someone who likes baseball, these movies are perfect to learn a little about the game and get in the mood to watch opening day on March 27th.