Sports Films - Baseball

Baseball

Title Year Genre Notes
Heading Home 1920 Biographical A silent film about young Babe Ruth, who stars as himself.
Fireman, Save My Child 1927 Comedy Silent film.
Elmer, the Great 1933 Drama Joe E. Brown as an egotistical Chicago Cubs baseball star.
Alibi Ike 1935 Comedy Joe E. Brown as a pitcher with a million excuses.
Death on the Diamond 1935 Mystery Ballplayer (Robert Young) tries to find who's killing his fellow St. Louis Cardinals.
The Pride of the Yankees 1942 Biographical The life and career of Lou Gehrig, with Gary Cooper as Gehrig and Babe Ruth as himself.
The Babe Ruth Story 1948 Biographical The life and career of Babe Ruth, starring William Bendix.
It Happens Every Spring 1949 Comedy Ray Milland as a scientist whose secret formula turns him into a great pitcher.
The Stratton Story 1949 Biographical The career and fateful accident of pitcher Monty Stratton, starring James Stewart.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game 1949 Musical Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly as singing, dancing ballplayers.
The Kid from Cleveland 1949 Comedy The '48 World Series champion Cleveland Indians come to the aid of a young fan.
Kill the Umpire 1950 Comedy William Bendix as a baseball fan who becomes an umpire.
The Jackie Robinson Story 1950 Biographical Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson as himself, with Ruby Dee as his wife.
Angels in the Outfield 1951 Comedy A Pittsburgh Pirates manager (Paul Douglas) gets some help from above.
Rhubarb 1951 Comedy Ray Milland in a cute tale about a cat.
The Pride of St. Louis 1952 Biographical Dan Dailey as the colorful pitcher Dizzy Dean.
The Winning Team 1953 Biographical Based on pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander, played by Ronald Reagan.
The Kid from Left Field 1953 Comedy The son of a peanut vendor (Dan Dailey) becomes the leader of a big-league team.
Big Leaguer 1953 Drama Hans Lobert (Edward G. Robinson) runs a training camp for baseball's New York Giants.
Fear Strikes Out 1957 Biographical The life and career of Jimmy Piersall, played by Anthony Perkins.
Damn Yankees 1958 Musical A man sells his soul to the devil on behalf of Washington's baseball team.
Safe at Home! 1962 Comedy With Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris as themselves.
Bang the Drum Slowly 1973 Drama A pitcher's friendship with a catcher (Robert De Niro) who has a terminal disease.
The Bad News Bears 1976 Comedy Walter Matthau's bad Little League team gets help from a girl pitcher (Tatum O'Neal) and a motorcycle-riding slugger (Jackie Earle Haley).
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings 1976 Comedy About a barnstorming team of Negro Leagues players, with James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor.
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training 1977 Comedy Sequel to The Bad News Bears.
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story 1978 Biographical A made-for-television film on the life and career of Ron LeFlore, starring LeVar Burton.
A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story 1978 Biographical Fact-based made-for-TV account of Yankee immortal's marriage and tragedy, featuring Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann.
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan 1978 Comedy Second sequel to The Bad News Bears.
The Kid from Left Field 1979 Comedy television film, remake, with Gary Coleman.
Squeeze Play! 1980 Comedy Sexy women form a softball team.
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige 1981 Biographical television film with Louis Gossett, Jr. as the ageless 1940s pitcher.
Blue Skies Again 1983 Comedy Denver Devils' potential second baseman isn't a man, it's a young woman.
Tiger Town 1983 Comedy Early Disney Channel film about an aging Detroit Tiger (Roy Scheider).
The Natural 1984 Drama Robert Redford in a fable about an unlikely, unlucky hero, Roy Hobbs.
Brewster's Millions 1985 Comedy Richard Pryor as a minor-leaguer with a chance to inherit 300 million dollars.
The Slugger's Wife 1985 Romance An Atlanta Braves player tries to break Roger Maris' record and make a marriage work.
A Winner Never Quits 1986 Biographical television film on one-armed pro ballplayer Pete Gray, played by Keith Carradine.
Long Gone 1987 Comedy Early cable television film about a minor-league ballclub starring William Petersen.
Trading Hearts 1987 Comedy Has-been player (Raúl Juliá) and his romance with a Florida single mom.
Amazing Grace and Chuck 1987 Drama A Montana boy refuses to pitch Little League until the world bans nuclear weapons.
Bull Durham 1988 Rom-Com Ron Shelton's screwball comedy of a woman's (Susan Sarandon) summer with two minor-leaguers (Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins).
Eight Men Out 1988 Biographical Based on the 1919 Black Sox Scandal.
Stealing Home 1988 Drama Mark Harmon and Jodie Foster in a fictional tale of lost love.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! 1988 Comedy Someone's out to kill the Queen of England during an Angels baseball game, and it's up to bumbling detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) to foil the plot.
Field of Dreams 1989 Drama Voices tell an Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) to build a baseball stadium in his cornfield.
Major League 1989 Comedy Fictional story of a team of misfit Cleveland Indians.
Night Game 1989 Crime drama A ballpark murder mystery starring Roy Scheider.
Mr. Destiny 1990 Comedy A man (James Belushi) blames his misfortune on a long-ago baseball game.
Taking Care of Business 1990 Comedy A man (James Belushi) escapes jail to see the Chicago Cubs play in a World Series.
Pastime 1990 Drama A pair of minor leaguers, one 17, one 40, form a bond.
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson 1990 Drama Andre Braugher in TV biopic of Robinson's court-martial in U.S. Army.
Talent for the Game 1991 Drama A fictional Angels baseball scout (Edward James Olmos) finds a fantastic young pitcher.
The Babe 1992 Biographical Based on the life and career of Babe Ruth, starring John Goodman.
The Comrades of Summer 1992 Comedy television film about a manager (Joe Mantegna) asked to take over a Soviet ballclub.
A League of Their Own 1992 Comedy A fictionalized account of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the 1940s.
Mr. Baseball 1992 Rom-Com Tom Selleck as a baseball star who ends up in Japan.
Rookie of the Year 1993 Comedy A boy develops a magical right arm and becomes a big-league pitcher for the Cubs.
The Man From Left Field 1993 Comedy television film about a homeless man (Burt Reynolds) coaching a Little League team.
The Sandlot 1993 Comedy A man reminisces about his childhood friends and the games they played.
Baseball 1994 Documentary Comprehensive history of the game, 18 hours-plus, as chronicled by Ken Burns.
Angels in the Outfield 1994 Comedy Disney remake of the 1951 film of the same name.
Cobb 1994 Biographical The career and last days of Ty Cobb, played by Tommy Lee Jones.
Little Big League 1994 Comedy A child becomes owner of the Minnesota Twins.
Major League II 1994 Comedy Second film in the Major League series.
The Scout 1994 Comedy A desperate Yankee scout (Albert Brooks) comes upon a phenomenal but psychologically troubled prospect.
Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream 1995 Documentary Aaron's pursuit of Babe Ruth's all-time homer record, directed by Michael Tollin.
Dorf on the Diamond 1996 Comedy Direct-to-video short film in the Dorf series starring Tim Conway.
Ed 1996 Comedy Matt LeBlanc becomes friends with a baseball-playing chimpanzee.
The Fan 1996 Thriller A deranged San Francisco fan (Robert De Niro) kills a player, kidnaps another's son.
Soul of the Game 1996 Biographical Story of baseball trailblazers including Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson.
Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way 1997 Biographical Paul Sorvino as the former New York Yankees manager.
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg 1998 Documentary The life and career of a former Detroit Tigers star and war hero.
BASEketball 1998 Comedy A new game is invented combining baseball with basketball.
If the Sun Rises in the West 1998 Drama South Korean story of an umpire.
Major League: Back to the Minors 1998 Comedy Third film in the Major League series.
For Love of the Game 1999 Drama In possibly his last start, a Detroit pitcher (Kevin Costner) goes after a perfect game.
Perfect Game 2000 Comedy television film starring Ed Asner.
Angels in the Infield 2000 Comedy Second made-for-TV sequel to the 1994 film.
61* 2001 Drama HBO film directed by Billy Crystal about the 1961 home run record chase of Roger Maris.
Hardball 2001 Drama Keanu Reeves as a young man who takes charge of an inner-city team.
Summer Catch 2001 Romance Fictional love story starring Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch 2002 Comedy Fourth entry in the Air Bud series.
The Rookie 2002 Biographical Based on true story of a high school coach, pitcher Jim Morris, portrayed by Dennis Quaid.
Bleacher Bums 2002 Comedy television film version of 1970s stage play about diehard fans in the outfield bleachers.
Battlefield Baseball 2003 Action Japanese film.
Day of Independence 2003 Drama Short film
Hustle 2004 Biographical ESPN dramatization on the career and controversies of Pete Rose, starring Tom Sizemore.
Mickey 2004 Drama John Grisham story about a Little Leaguer and his father.
Mr. 3000 2004 Comedy A potential Hall of Famer (Bernie Mac) is told he's actually three hits shy of 3,000.
This Old Cub 2004 Documentary Chronicles life of Ron Santo, focusing on baseball career and struggle with type 1 diabetes.
Up for Grabs 2004 Documentary A battle over who owns ball hit in 2001 by Barry Bonds for his 73rd home run.
The Winning Season 2004 Drama A child from 1985 wakes up in 1909 and meets hero Honus Wagner (Matthew Modine).
Fever Pitch 2005 Rom-Com Loosely based on Nick Hornby's soccer story, in this case a devoted Boston Red Sox fan (Jimmy Fallon).
Game 6 2005 Drama A playwright (Michael Keaton) has a wild night during a Red Sox playoff series.
Bad News Bears 2005 Comedy Remake of 1976 film of same name, starring Billy Bob Thornton.
The Sandlot 2 2005 Comedy Direct-to-video sequel to The Sandlot.
The Benchwarmers 2006 Comedy David Spade and Rob Schneider as middle-aged nerds who want to play ball.
Everyone's Hero 2006 Animation Cartoon family film with baseball theme.
Beer League 2006 Comedy A town drunk plays in a big softball game.
Off the Black 2006 Drama An umpire (Nick Nolte) befriends a high school player who hated him.
Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball 2006 Documentary Broadcast on the U.S. PBS series POV. Explores the phenomenon of high school baseball in Japan.
The Final Season 2007 Drama Based on 1991 season of Norway High School in Norway, Iowa, before it was closed and consolidated into its county school district, starring Sean Astin.
The Sandlot: Heading Home 2007 Comedy Second direct-to-video sequel to The Sandlot.
The Bronx Is Burning 2007 Biographical A docudrama about the 1977 New York Yankees, with John Turturro as Billy Martin.
Black Irish 2007 Drama Boston teen tries to escape family problems through his pitching.
Chasing 3000 2008 Drama Two boys go a long way to witness 3,000th career hit of Roberto Clemente.
City Without Baseball 2008 Drama Chinese film.
Sugar 2008 Drama Story about a Dominican prospect and his adjustment to life in the U.S.
Touching Home 2008 Drama Brothers with pro-ball ambitions deal with their homeless father (Ed Harris).
The Perfect Game 2009 Drama Based on true story of Mexico team that won 1956 Little League World Series.
The Open Road 2009 Drama Minor leaguer Justin Timberlake has issues with baseball-legend dad Jeff Bridges.
Fernando Nation 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the impact of Fernando Valenzuela's 1981 rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Four Days in October 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the Boston Red Sox' comeback from a 3–0 series deficit against the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS.
Hero 2010 Drama Christian film about fathers and sons.
How Do You Know 2010 Rom-Com A romantic triangle involving a softball player (Reese Witherspoon) and a Washington Nationals pitcher (Owen Wilson).
The House of Steinbrenner 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the legacy of George Steinbrenner's ownership of the New York Yankees.
Jordan Rides the Bus 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores Michael Jordan's brief career in minor league baseball after his first retirement from basketball.
Little Big Men 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the Kirkland National Little League team that scored a stunning victory in the 1982 Little League World Series, and the players' lives in the nearly three decades that followed.
Silly Little Game 2010 Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the group of New York writers and academics who created Rotisserie fantasy baseball, and how their creation eventually left them behind.
Catching Hell 2011 Documentary Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the relationship between Steve Bartman and Chicago Cubs fans since Bartman's famous incident in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.
Moneyball 2011 Drama Based on a true story, the Michael Lewis best-seller about Oakland A's exec Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt.
Trouble with the Curve 2012 Drama Clint Eastwood as a veteran Atlanta Braves scout.
Home Run 2013 Drama A ballplayer dealing with substance abuse returns to his hometown.
42 2013 Biographical Story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford).

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Famous quotes containing the word baseball:

    “Compared to football, baseball is almost an Oriental game, minimizing individual stardom, requiring a wide range of aggressive and defensive skills, and filled with long periods of inaction and irresolution. It has no time limitations. Football, on the other hand, has immediate goals, resolution on every single play, and a lot of violence—itself a highlight. It has clearly distinguishable hierarchies: heroes and drones.”
    —Jerry Mander, U.S. advertising executive, author. Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television, ch. 15, Morrow (1978)

    “I’ve gradually risen from lower-class background to lower-class foreground.”
    —Marvin Cohen, U.S. author and humorist. Baseball the Beautiful, Links Books (1970)