The passion that unleashes baseball in the United States and in many other countries around the world—among which is obviously Mexico—it has resulted in numerous films by the so-called “King of Sports.” Unlike other sports films, however, baseball stories are not characterized by their adrenaline. They transmit nostalgia and romanticism, 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 into the diamond to remember the best baseball movies, What is your favorite?
NOTE: The following list is in chronological order of release.
The pride of the Yankees (Dir. 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 hires him for the minor leagues, starting one of the most fruitful careers in baseball history. From then on, the film explores Gehrig’s rise, his arrival to the Yankees, and his immortality through his great exploits. Love or hate the Yankees, it is 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.
Bad News Bears (Dir. Michael Ritchie, 1976)
Morris Buttermaker, a former minor league coach with alcohol problems, is tasked with coaching the Bears in the Southern California Little League. Unfortunately for him, the coach has what many could consider the worst team of all time, capable of allowing 26 runs in the first inning without achieving a single out. Desperate, Buttermaker decides to recruit a couple of untraditional talents: pitcher Amanda Whurlizer and rebel Kelly Leak, who will be decisive for the team to start winning. Despite their initial losses, the Bears manage to qualify for the championship game, where they will have to face the hated Yankees.
Where to see? Available for purchase on DVD through Amazon.
The best (Dir. Barry Levinson, 1984)
While everything seemed to indicate that Roy Hobbs would have a successful career in professional baseball, his career came to an abrupt halt after suffering a violent attack when he was about to be hired to play in the Major Leagues. Several years later, a veteran Roy Hobbs is hired by the New York Knights with the sole purpose of helping them out of their losing streak. One out away from being struck out, an injured Roy Hobbs violently hits a Pittsburgh Pirates fastball, which launches and hits the stadium lights. A retired baseball hero gets a new opportunity.
Where to see? Buy and rent digitally on iTunes and Prime Video.
eight men (Dir. John Sayles, 1988)
The film remembers one of the most regrettable chapters in the history of professional baseball, in which 8 players from the Chicago White Sox reached an agreement with bettors from the city to lose the 1919 World Series against 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 good amount of money, which far exceeds the monetary prize for winning the World Series. This group of players would become known as the Chicago Black Sox.
Where to see? Buy and rent digitally on iTunes and Prime Video.
Continue reading: Best baseball movies
The beauty and the champion (Dir. Ron Shelton, 1988)
Veteran catcher “Crash” Davis is sent to the minor leagues with the sole purpose of preparing the young and explosive pitcher Ebby LaLoosh for the Major Leagues. Both players suffer great initial tension, which intensifies with the arrival of Annie, a spiritual guide who each year selects a rookie to educate and love. Over time, Crash’s advice will be decisive in helping Ebby become the great baseball player everyone expects. Meanwhile, the catcher must resign himself to accepting the imminent decline of his career.
Where to see? MGM Channel on Prime Video.
The field of dreams (Dir. Phil Alden Robinson, 1989)
An Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella decides to sacrifice everything—including his cornfield—after he begins to hear a series of mysterious voices asking him to build a baseball diamond on his land. Although the people around him are skeptical about it, Ray decides to follow his instincts and follow the instructions of the voices. The result: a legendary Chicago Black Sox reunion and a reunion with a loved one. One of the most iconic baseball movies.
Where to see? Digital purchase and rental on iTunes, Prime Video and Claro Video.
Major leagues (Dir. David S. Ward, 1989)
Fed up with the cold of Cleveland, the new owner of the Indians intends to move the team to the warm climate of Miami. To achieve this, she must first significantly reduce stadium attendance. Her plan is simple: acquire the worst players in the league to guarantee the greatest number of defeats possible. Although the first results are discouraging, the players—led by the talented pitcher Wild Thing—are beginning to string together victories that will not only keep them in Cleveland, but could give them a place in the postseason.
Where to see? Available for purchase on DVD through Amazon.
A very special team (Dir. Penny Marshall, 1992)
Fearful of the absence of men and the million-dollar losses caused by World War II, the owners of the baseball teams in the United States decide to start a women’s league that will allow them to withstand the financial crisis and keep the American public entertained. To achieve this, they turn to coaches with great experience—perhaps with some alcoholism problems—and young people with modest sporting careers. Here we follow one of the most popular teams in the league, the Rockford Peaches, coached by the alcoholic Jimmy Dugan—a brilliant Tom Hanks—and commanded by the talent of sisters Dottie and Kit Keller.
Where to see? HBO Max.
Continue reading: Best baseball movies
Our gang (Dir. David Mickey Evans, 1993)
Scott “Scotty” Smalls fondly remembers the year 1962. Then, he moved with his mother and stepfather to a small town outside of Los Angeles. It was that same year when Scotty met Benny Rodríguez and other baseball-loving children who enjoyed playing ball every afternoon in a vacant lot in the neighborhood, emulating the great feats of the great baseball players of yesteryear. However, the lives of these little athletes will take an unexpected turn when Scotty borrows a ball from his stepfather. One that is autographed by Babe Ruth himself.
Where to see? Disney Plus.
For the love of the game (Dir. Sam Raimi, 1999)
After a season to forget—the 63-97 record says it all—the Detroit Tigers travel to New York determined to win the last game of their season. The only motivation is to prevent the Yankees from advancing to the playoffs. To achieve this, the team turns to Billy Chapel, a veteran star pitcher who will experience all kinds of mixed emotions during the duel: knowing that the Tigers will change owners and he could go to another team, doubts about an imminent retirement, the pain after a hand injury and especially knowing that the love of your life is about to leave for another country. In this way, Billy will give everything for his team while he relives the most important moments of his life before each pitch.
Where to see? Digital purchase and rental on iTunes, Google Play, Prime Video, YouTube and Claro Video.
61* (Dir. Billy Crystal, 2001)
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris are the Yankees’ star hitters. Their impressive power allows them to dream of equaling or breaking the mark of more home runs in a season, which has remained in the possession of Babe Ruth for more than 30 years. Although at the beginning everything seems to indicate that both players will be able to achieve it, the duo will have to face all kinds of obstacles: from physical discomfort to uncomfortable – and apparently non-existent – asterisks that aim to defend Babe Ruth’s legacy at all costs.
Where to see? HBO Max.
The noob (Dir. John Lee Hancock, 2002)
Jim Morris is a young pitcher recruited by the Milwaukee Brewers, whose promising career ends abruptly after a shoulder injury. Several years later Morris becomes a science teacher and coach of a small team called the Big Lake Owls. After a training session in which he reveals the power of his arm, the young team reaches an agreement with his coach: if they qualify for the playoffs, he will once again try his luck in the major leagues. With all kinds of elements against him, Jim is hired by the Tampa Bay Matarrarays, which will allow him to pursue his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues again.
Where to see? Disney Plus.
Continue reading: Best baseball movies
The game of fortune (Dir. Bennett Miller, 2011)
Tired of Oakland’s defeats and worried about the departure of its biggest stars, manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) decides to use a very peculiar recruiting method devised by economist Peter Brand (Jonah Hill): on-base percentage (OBP). . Thanks to this curious strategy, the Athletics will become a team lacking big names, but with a winning brand that will allow them to face the most important clubs in history.
Where to see? Netflix, Prime Video and Claro Video.
Curves of life (Dir. Robert Lorenz, 2012)
Gus Lobel is a veteran scout for the Atlanta Braves who enjoys applying old techniques to discover young talent in the minor leagues. Unfortunately for him, some managers are not convinced that his methods are still the most appropriate. Therefore, they decide to send him to North Carolina to analyze an interesting hitter who could become the first pick of the year. As if this were not enough, Lobel is losing his sight, so he must use the support of his alienated daughter and his professional experience to make the right decision. Will it be proven that Lobel’s traditional methods are still the most effective?
Where to see? HBO Max.
Luis Miguel Cruz Someday I’ll join the X-Men, the Rebel Alliance, or the Night’s Watch. Proud member of Cine PREMIERE since 2008.