The passion that this unleashes baseball In USA and in many other countries around the world – which of course also includes Mexico – numerous films by the so-called “King of Sports” have been made. However, unlike other sports films, baseball stories are not characterized by adrenaline. They convey nostalgia and romance while always focusing on the purity of the game and the importance of its values.
From classic comedies to some of the most acclaimed films of recent years. Next, we go to the diamond to remember the best baseball movies. What is your favorite?
The pride of the Yankees (Director: Sam Wood, 1942)
Lou Gehrig is a young student preparing to become an engineer. However, the boy’s life will change drastically when a scout notices him and recruits him for the minor leagues, launching one of the most fruitful careers in baseball history. From there, the film explores Gehrig’s rise, his arrival with the Yankees, and his immortality through his great exploits. Love or hate The Yankees, it’s one of the best baseball movies, with a fitting tribute to one of the most successful baseball players of all time.
Where to see? Plex TV.
Bears with bad news (Dir. Michael Ritchie, 1976)
Morris Buttermaker, a former minor league coach with an alcohol problem, is hired to coach the Bears in the Southern California Little League. Unfortunately, the coach has what many might consider the worst team of all time, capable of allowing 26 runs in the first inning without recording a single out. Desperate, Buttermaker decides to recruit a pair of unconventional talents: pitcher Amanda Whurlizer and rebel Kelly Leak, who will be crucial to the team’s victory. Despite their initial defeats, the Bears manage to qualify for the championship game, where they face the hated Yankees.
Where to see? Available on DVD via Amazon.
The best (Director: Barry Levinson, 1984)
While everything indicated that Roy Hobbs would have a successful career in professional baseball, his career came to an abrupt halt after he suffered a violent attack just as he was about to be signed to the Major Leagues. A few years later, the experienced Roy Hobbs is hired by the New York Knights with the sole goal of helping them break their losing streak. With just one out before being struck out, the injured Roy Hobbs violently hits a Pittsburgh Pirates fastball that goes off and hits the stadium lights. A retired baseball hero gets a new chance.
Where to see? Buy and rent digitally on iTunes and Prime Video.
eight men (Director: John Sayles, 1988)
The film commemorates one of the most unfortunate chapters in professional baseball history, in which eight Chicago White Sox players agreed with out-of-town bettors to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. This was because the White Sox were considered the best team of their time, but their owner Charles Comiskey was a greedy man who refused to reward players for their achievements. Eight of the team’s most talented players – including the popular Joe Jackson – decide to sacrifice the coveted trophy for a hefty sum of money that far exceeds the cash prize for winning the World Series. This group of players became known as the Chicago Black Sox.
Where to see?
Read more: Best Baseball Movies
The Beauty and the Champion
Veteran catcher “Crash” Davis is sent to the minor leagues with the sole goal of preparing young and explosive pitcher Ebby LaLoosh for the major leagues. Both players initially suffer from great tension, which intensifies with the arrival of Annie, a spiritual leader who each year selects a newcomer to raise and love. Over time, Crash’s advice will be instrumental in helping Ebby become the great baseball player everyone expects. In the meantime, the catcher must come to terms with the fact that his career will soon fail.
Where to see? MGM Channel on Prime Video.
The field of dreams (Director: Phil Alden Robinson, 1989)
An Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella decides to sacrifice everything – including his cornfield – after listening to a series of mysterious voices telling him to build a baseball field on his land. Even though those around him are skeptical, Ray decides to follow his instincts and follow the voices’ clues. The result: a legendary meeting of the Chicago Black Sox and the reunion with a very dear person. One of the most iconic baseball films.
Where to see? Digital purchase and rental on iTunes, Prime Video and Claro Video.
Major leagues (Director: David S. Ward, 1989)
The Indians’ new owner is tired of the cold in Cleveland and intends to move the team to the warm climate of Miami. Para lograrlo, firstro debe reducer considerablymente la assistance at the stadium. The plan is to: contact the players from the league to guarantee the mayor’s number of possible rotations. Aunque los primeros resultsados son desalentadores, los jugadores —comandados por el talentoso pitcher Wild Thing—comienzan a hilvanar Victorias que no sólo los mantendrán en Cleveland, sino que podrían darles un lugar en la postemporada.
Where to see? Available on DVD via Amazon.
A very special team (Director: Penny Marshall, 1992)
Fearing the absence of men and the millions in losses caused by World War II, owners of baseball teams in the United States decide to create a women’s league that will allow them to support the financial crisis and entertain the American public. To achieve this, they turn to coaches with great experience – perhaps with some alcohol problems – and to young people with modest sports careers. Here we follow one of the league’s most popular teams, the Rockford Peaches, coached by alcoholic Jimmy Dugan – a brilliant Tom Hanks – and led by talented sisters Dottie and Kit Keller.
Where to see? HBO Max.
Read more: Best Baseball Movies
Our gang (Director: David Mickey Evans, 1993)
Scott “Scotty” Smalls recuerda with nostalgia the year 1962. Entonces, he mudó with his mother and his father a little pueblo a las afueras de Los Ángeles. For this reason, Scotty met Benny Rodríguez and other children who were aficionados of baseball, who enjoyed playing the game in a bald area of the barrio, emulando las grandes hazañas de los grandes peloteros de Antaño. However, the lives of these little athletes take an unexpected turn when Scotty borrows a ball from his stepfather. It is autographed by the mismísimo Babe Ruth.
Where to see? Disney Plus.
For the love of the game (Director: Sam Raimi, 1999)
After an unforgettable season – the record of 63-97 says it all – the Detroit Tigers travel to New York determined to win the final game of their season. The only motivation is to prevent the Yankees from making the playoffs. To accomplish this, the team turns to Billy Chapel, an experienced star pitcher who will experience all sorts of mixed emotions during the matchup: the knowledge that the Tigers will change ownership and he could move on to another team, doubts of an imminent retirement, the pain of a hand injury and, above all, the knowledge that the love of your life will soon be leaving for another country. This way, Billy will give his all for his team while reliving the most important moments of his life before every pitch.
Where to see? Purchase and digital rental in iTunes, Google Play, Prime Video, YouTube and Claro Video.
61* (Director: Billy Crystal, 2001)
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris are the Yankees’ hitters. Their impressive strength allows them to dream of making or breaking the mark of more Home runs in a season that has been owned by Babe Ruth for more than 30 years. While everything initially suggests that both players will succeed, the duo must face all sorts of obstacles: from physical ailments to inconvenient – and seemingly non-existent – starlets aiming to defend Babe Ruth’s legacy all costs.
Where to see? HBO Max.
The noob (Director: John Lee Hancock, 2002)
Jim Morris is a young pitcher recruited by the Milwaukee Brewers whose promising career ends abruptly after a shoulder injury. A few years later, Morris becomes a science teacher and forms a small team called the Big Lake Owls. After a training session in which he demonstrates the strength of his arm, the young team comes to an agreement with his coach: if they qualify for the playoffs, he will try his luck again in the big leagues. With all possible opponents, Jim is hired by the Matarrayas from Tampa Bay, which will give him the opportunity to once again realize his dream of playing in the majors.
Where to see? Disney Plus.
Read more: Best Baseball Movies
The game of chance (Director: Bennett Miller, 2011)
Cansado de las derrotas de Oakland and preoccupado por la partida de s estrellas mayores, the manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) decides to use a very peculiar method of contrasting ideas by the economist Peter Brand (Jonah Hill): the porcentaje de embasado (OBP) . Thanks to this strange strategy, Athletics becomes a team without big names, but with a successful brand that allows them to compete against the most important clubs in history.
Where to see? Netflix, Prime Video and Claro Video.
(Director: Robert Lorenz, 2012)
Gus Lobel is a veteran Atlanta Braves scout who enjoys using old techniques to discover young talent in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, some managers are not convinced that their methods are still the most appropriate. That’s why they decide to send him to North Carolina to analyze an interesting hitter who could become the first pick of the year. As if that weren’t enough, Lobel loses his eyesight and must use the support of his estranged daughter and his professional experience to make the right decision. Will it prove that Lobel’s traditional methods are still the most effective?
Where to see? HBO Max.