Honestly, I don’t think there is a time of the year I hate more than right now. The holidays are over. The flu is going around but little trade talk or rumors. Most all the important free agents have signed. (Carl Pavano is the only truly news worthy free agent who is still unsigned.) It’s still too early to start planning our fantasy draft and Pitchers and Catchers is STILL more than 4 weeks away. So what does the Wriz do to pass the time? I watch baseball related movies and TV Shows. What else did you expect? Here’s my top nine:
9. The Bad News Bears. Of course the version staring Walter Matthau. The Billy Bob Thornton one sucked and you’d think for the millions of dollars they put into a movie, studio execs would want new ideas.
8. Summer Catch. Phillies Mike Lieberthal, Doug Glanville and Pat Burrell were in the film. The story wasn’t that good. The baseball wasn’t that good, but Jessica Biel walking by the pool was worth the price of admission.
7. The Baseball Bunch. I have many fond memories of this show. I’m sure you can find it in syndication somewhere or on DVD. I won’t watch it though. I’m afraid I’ll realize how bad of a show it really was and I prefer my perfect childhood.
6. Major League. Wild Thing, Jobu, and Bob Uecker. It’s the only time I’ve ever liked Wesley Snipes in a movie. It would be much higher but they made Major League 2 and 3. Somewhere I know some Japanese groundskeepers are shaking their heads saying, “They’re shitty!”
5. The Sandlot. Most certainly a classic especially if you have kids. I even, at one point, tried to start every sentence with “yeah yeah.”
4. Eastbound and Down. Baseball or no baseball it’s the funniest thing on TV right now. Only on its 2nd season it could push further up on the list with a more sustained run.
3. Prime 9. If you’ve never seen it you’re missing out. It comes on the MLB Network and each episode they’ll countdown a specific category. Top 9 announcers. Top 9 Guys who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Top 9 Dominant Pitching seasons. It’s why all my lists are top 9 lists.
2. The Natural. Classic, pure and simple.
1. Eight Men Out. It’s a great movie. Nonetheless, I know I have to explain. I’m sure this is much lower on your list if it’s even on it at all, but this movie has special meaning to the Wriz. While I will watch most any sport, I’ve always been a baseball and hockey guy. After seeing this movie, I wanted to know more about baseball’s history and thus the legendary Wriz was born.
I know many of you are going to point out that I missed some of the greatest baseball films ever like Ed, Mr. 3000, and Rookie of the Year, but it is my list and it was written to raise arguments not end them.
See ya at the Boob Tube!
Jay Wrizight
jaywrizight@yahoo.com
Great list! You missed not only my favorite baseball movie, my all time favorite movie 'Field of Dreams'. When he is having a catch with his Dad at the end I bawl like a baby every time. You should also check out '20 Greatest Games' on MLB Network. Bob Costas & Tom Verducci host. Number 18 was 1980 Game 5 NLCS, Phils vs Astros. Bowa was good with the behind the scenes stuff.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the Field of Dreams. You forgot about the ladies: A League of their Own. "There's no crying in baseball."
ReplyDeleteForgot the ladies? Didn't you read the part about Jessica Biel? Besides i didn't want to mention it because DB29 would just go on and on about his Marla Hooch poster.
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