As a self-described renegade and somewhat of a contrarian in the newspaper sports game, 12 years of being a sports editor certainly taught me to march to the beat of my own drum.
I tend to get certain things set in my mind, and I have trouble taking advice.
But I can’t take credit for the idea for this column.
That goes to Burlington Standard Press news editor Jason Arndt, another sports lover, who threw out the idea for a sports movie column.
With coronavirus ruining our lives, crushing our social lives and getting us familiar with every single blemish on the living room drywall, it’s pretty clear we need ideas for things to do.
Since exercise, juicing and DIY projects waved “BYE-BYE!” to me long ago, I figure it’s time to keep you comfortable, fat and happy in front of the tube, with a bowl of popcorn and your favorite beverage in hand.
So, let’s do it.
Let’s talk – wait for it – sports movies!
From “Rudy” to “Moneyball” to “Major League,” watching sports movies not only offers the sheer joy of entertainment, but it adds the passion of sports, something I dearly love.
Without further adieu, get on Netflix, Apple TV, Hulu, or wherever, hell, dust off the VCR for old time’s sake, and get these movies in your life.
This isn’t necessarily a ranked list, but it could be if you want (hint: it’s close to my top 10).
“Bull Durham”
A 1980s classic, many consider this the best baseball movie of all-time.
Kevin Costner plays a career minor-leaguer for the Durham Bulls, and the flick accurately portrays the bus rides, low pay and total grind of guys trying to make it big.
When Tim Robbins, the new hotshot rookie, joins the team, he falls in love with Bulls announcer/groupie Susan Sarandon, and love triangle complications ensue.
- “Major League”
The watch-ability of this one is AMAZING.
Any time it’s on TV, you can literally drop everything and fall back in love with Willie Mays Hayes, “Wild Thing” Vaughn and Pedro Cerrano, who’s accused of having no “marbles” by a teammate.
Way-back-in-the-day Tom Berenger is a man’s man, and Rene Russo is a beautiful distraction who causes some testosterone-driven fighting with her attractive ways.
“Juuuuuust a bit outside” ring a bell? A young (relatively speaking) Bob Uecker, arguably the greatest baseball sportscaster of all-time and Milwaukee Brewers legend, goes from drinking on the job because his team is so bad, to calling the memorable pennant chase.
- “Invincible”
Ladies and gentlemen, did I see this in a theater by myself?
Yes.
Did I cry like a stunned bully after the victim finally punched back?
Even more than that.
A movie you go into with mild expectations knocks your socks off, as Mark Wahlberg portrays the true story of a Philadelphia Eagles player from the 1970s that earned a spot on the team from an open tryout for the public, something that will never happen again.
Elizabeth Banks is great as the only person in South Philly who loves the hated New York Giants, and the inspirational tale should have you gushing.
If you don’t feel anything, you don’t have a soul.
- “The Sandlot”
Babe Ruth, a menacing, yet sweet, dog terrorizes a neighborhood full of coming-of-age boys who love nothing more than spending their summer days playing baseball.
A personal triumph of a film for me, this was my childhood.
I remember the summers of the early 1990s, as a wide-eyed, energetic 10-year-old me hooked up on the asphalt baseball diamond at Cooper School with the likes of Justin Block, Ben Ketterhagen (RIP), Luke Benish, Eric Weis and others.
The 30-foot wall on the playground was the “green monster,” naturally, and it was a home run if you hit it.
When we got a bit older, hitting it up on the roof didn’t mean goodbye, it meant you illegally and blissfully climbed the back door and ran around on the roof.
Pure ’90s bliss, absent of cell phones and other devices.
Just tennis balls, sticks or bats and a close pack of buddies. It was either Cooper School or the pool park.
This just described the plot of Sandlot, one of my 5-year-old daughter’s favorite movies.
If only kids these days could put down the iPads and Chromebooks and spend an entire summer outside, playing games with the neighborhood buddies, the world would be a better place.
Smalls, Benny, Yeah-yeah and others make up a hilarious cast, and don’t sleep on Wendy Peffercorn, kids puking on a roller coaster and hidden Denis Leary.
Also, movie heads from way back will appreciate James Earl Jones stealing a few scenes.
- “The Program”
A movie we used before high school football games to get straight JACKED, this flick will get you pumped to hit someone.
A bit dark with some mature themes – I’d like to believe college athletes go through some of the same temptations – and the action scenes look pretty authentic.
An absolute football classic, make sure the kiddos are at least 16 or so for this one.
- “Hoosiers”
The “picket fence” offense is explored, and the state of Indiana’s obsession with basketball is perfectly captured.
Gene Hackman is probably the greatest sports movie coach of all-time, and Dennis Hopper plays an alcoholic father, a gripping portrayal that probably hits home for some athletes.
Considered one of the best sports movies ever, this one will move you.
- “The Wrestler”
A dramatic masterpiece, Mickey Rourke is a professional wrestler, “The Ram,” who’s made many mistakes in his personal life, causing turmoil with his daughter and some serious health problems.
His love for wresting becomes an obsession, and after hitting rock bottom, it’s all he has left.
It’s a touching movie where you feel for Rourke, and there is plenty of humor to go around.
I’m pretty sure Rourke won an Academy Award for Best Actor, so there’s that.
- “Varsity Blues”
Mox, Billy Bob and Tweeder are just a handful of names from this Texas high school football classic.
A whipped-cream bikini is a highlight, along with the star football players staying out all night at the strip club the night before the game.
It’s an over-the-top movie filled with clichés, like the legendary coach who borderline abuses his players, but gosh darn it, it’s good, old-fashioned shenanigans.
High school football is LIFE in Texas, and these guys are rock stars.
The late Paul Walker, James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight give some standout performances.
- “Ladybugs”
The late Jonathan Brandis dresses up like a girl and wears a wig to help a flailing girls soccer team.
And Rodney Dangerfield, folks, ROD-NEY DANGERFIELD.
Not much more needs to be said, just check it out and let the kids join in the fun.
- “Caddyshack”
The best golf movie of all-time is timeless.
Bill Murray has a lisp and kills vermin, as the golf course maintenance guy.
Rodney Dangerfield kills you with one-liners, and Chevy Chase slays with his dry humor.
One of the most quotable sports movies, use this one as an opportunity to reconnect with mom and dad’s younger days.
- “Jerry Maguire”
A film featuring a sports agent and his NFL clientele, this classic gave us “Show me the money!”, the incomparable Cuba Gooding Jr., “the human head weighs 10 pounds” from that goofy-looking little kid and Renee Zellweger, man.
Another heart-warmer, this one is super funny and sprinkles a healthy amount of tears.
Life lessons abound, and you will be a better human being afterward.
- “Moneyball”
It’s the Hollywood depiction of the Oakland Athletics secret formula of evaluating baseball talent. Jonah Hill is the whiz kid that helps general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) assemble some of the best teams that never won in the early 2000s.
Pitt’s relationship with his daughter is a tearjerker, and this movie teaches the importance of integrity and staying loyal to your tribe, even when a ton of money is offered for you to leave.
One of the best sports films of the past decade, this one can be watched over and over.
- “Rudy”
The real-life story of a Notre Dame walk-on who could not play football worth a lick, but his heart was too big to be denied.
After grinding and eating dirt from everyone all season, he finally got in for a play and made a tackle, and people lost their minds.
I’m sorry for giving away the plot.
See it anyway.
- “Bad News Bears”
The last movie I’m actually going to write about for now, this classic has Walter Matthau as a little league coach who couldn’t really care less.
But his team of misfits, the kids nobody wanted on their team, forges ahead and finds success.
The hilarious little rugrat who swears and constantly acts a fool is classic, and Kelly is one of the best little league players ever.
It’s a refreshing throwback to the simpler times of the 70s, and you will love it.
Others receiving votes:
Blind Side, The Fighter, Friday Night Lights, The Natural, Any Given Sunday, Bad News Bears, Mighty Ducks, Goon, A League of their Own, White Men Can’t Jump, Happy Gilmore, Little Giants
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