MLB has its All-Star break. The NFL has its lockout. It's the off-season for the NHL and the NBA, and I'm not a huge fan of soccer, golf or NASCAR. So, for a few days, I have far too much free time on my hands.
At the suggestion of my father-in-law, I decided to compile what I consider to be the Top 25 sports movies of all-time. The only "rules" I set for myself were that I had to have actually seen the movie and that I had to include at least one movie from each of the seven above-mentioned sports (sort of like the "at least one player from every MLB team" All-Star game rule).
I considered well over 100 movies (and am certain I've forgotten a few). I ranked them in their own sport, and then re-ranked them. I ranked them against the top movies in the other sports. I made my list, and checked it twice.
25. The Natural
The first of eight baseball movies (the most of any sport) to make the list, starring Robert Redford in this fictional account of Roy Hobbs. The moment when he hits the game-winning home run at the end is one of the all-time greatest scenes in (sports) movie history.
24. North Dallas Forty
Six football movies made my list including this one loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys of the 1970's. This semi-fictional tale shows the dark side of football and how the greedy owners take a win at all cost approach and toss the players aside when they are no longer useful (sound familiar?).
23. Field of Dreams
Based on the best-selling book by W.P. Kinsella and starring Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer who hears mysterious voices that lead him to build a baseball field in his cornfield. This should be required viewing for every father and son.
22. Stroker Ace
The only NASCAR movie to make the list, narrowly beating Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (see below for the "bubble" movies). Burt Reynolds (a NASCAR owner) and Loni Anderson star, with cameos by Neil Bonnett, Dale Earnhardt and Harry Gant.
21. Mystery, Alaska
The first of three hockey movies on the list, this feel-good comedy is about a local rec-league hockey team that ends up taking on the NHL's New York Rangers in an exhibition game. Russell Crowe stars, and Burt Reynolds make his second appearance on the list.
20. Happy Gilmore
Is it a hockey movie or a golf movie? Either way, Adam Sandler cracks the top 20 with this comedy about a hockey player who suddenly dominates the golf world with his unorthodox swing.
19. Paper Lion
Fantasy sports enthusiasts can appreciate this true to life 1968 account of George Plimpton, an unassuming journalist who suits up as an NFL quarterback for the ultimate insiders look at the game. Ultimately, his exploits culminate in him playing in a live scrimmage before thousands of paying fans.
18. Blue Chips
We finally have our first basketball movie, with Nick Nolte as the stereotypical, overbearing college coach, with Oscar-worthy performances (not really) by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway.
17. The Waterboy
Adam Sandler again, this time as dim-witted Bobby Boucher, who joins a college football team when it is realized that he has the talent to play linebacker simply by channeling all his rage toward the opponent. I laugh out loud every time I see this movie.
16. A League of Their Own
Although the players and manager were fictitious; the story and teams behind it were real. The story of the upstart All-American Girls Professional Baseball League is both funny and dramatic. And, who hasn't uttered the line "there's no crying in baseball"?
15. Bend It Like Beckham
Our one and only soccer film, this movie explores the topics of women playing soccer in a male dominant society, cultural and generational clashes, and the importance of doing whatever it takes to achieve a goal against adversity.
14. Eight Men Out
The story of the 1919 Black Sox, who threw the World Series, and, though acquitted in court, found many star players being banned for life by newly appointed commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis. Just one more example of the athletes drawing the short straw.
13. The Longest Yard
No, Adam Sandler does not make his third appearance on my list. I'm referring to the 1974 classic, (okay, so Burt Reynolds makes his third appearance as convict Paul 'Wrecking' Crewe). Heck, if I had gone with Sandler and the 2005 remake, Reynolds is in that version too.
12. Miracle
Do you believe in miracles? Well, I sure do, especially after watching this uplifting account of the infamous victory over the Soviet Union scored by a ragtag team American college students at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
11. He Got Game
Just missing out on my Top Ten, this movie perfectly merges the temptations and accolades of what it means to be the best player in the country.
10. The Sandlot
Set in the late 1960's, who doesn't remember being a kid and hitting a ball into someone's yard and being too afraid to retrieve it? James Earl Jones shows up for the second time on my list.
9. Tin Cup
Kevin Costner again, this time as washed up golf pro Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy, who tries to win the U.S. Open. "No one's going to remember the Open 10 years from now, who won...but they'll remember your 12!" Classic line.
8. The Pride of the Yankees
This is a hopelessly sentimental movie, but it was made in a different era and is the best of the baseball melodramas. And at the end, I still shed a tear when Gary Cooper gives the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech.
7. Brian's Song
Since we're talking about shedding tears… Brian's Song is based on the true story of Chicago Bears' running back Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer at 26, and the unique friendship he developed with teammate and future Hall of Famer running back Gale Sayers.
6. Bull Durham
Costner for the third and last time (I promise) as perennial minor leaguer Crash Davis, Tim Robbins as phenom pitcher "Nuke" Laloosh, and Susan Sarandon as groupie Annie Savoy. This movie is funny, sexy, and the baseball scenes aren't too bad either.
5. Slap Shot
This 1977 comedy about a hockey minor league lifer who rallies a community around his scrappy Charlestown Chiefs stars Paul Newman, but he is overshadowed by the fighting Hanson brothers (played by real-life hockey goons David Hanson, Jeff Carlson and Steve Carlson).
4. Hoosiers
Everyone loves this movie despite being a bit corny. Besides, a sports movie with Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper… Hollywood gold!
3. Remember The Titans
This 2000 drama is based on the true story of a suburban Virginia school that has been segregated until 1970 and the coach brought in to unify a divided program when the school was finally integrated. Denzel Washington stars as coach Herman Boone, who not only deals with the issues of integration and tolerance, but also manages to put together an undefeated season as they go onto the state championship.
2. Caddyshack
Caddyshack is one of the most quotable sports movies of all time. The story of a country club having to deal with a destructive gopher and a new member who will potentially hurt the sanctity of the club. Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Ted Knight and Rodney Dangerfield give some of the funniest performances ever.
1. Major League
What's not to love about this movie, which follows a season of the Cleveland Indians in which their owner plans of relocating the team due to poor performance and poor attendance? The team eventually rallies to win their division. Starring Charlie Sheen (second appearance on the list), Tom Berenger, Rene Russo (second appearance on the list) and Bob Uecker, the collection of zany characters, from Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn to Pedro Cerrano, makes this an easy choice as my favorite sports movie.
Ten others that just missed the cut:
All The Right Moves, Jerry Maguire, Love & Basketball, Rudy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The Bad News Bears, The Blind Side, The Mighty Ducks, We Are Marshall, White Men Can't Jump
Final Movie Statistics:
By sport -- Baseball (8), Football (6), Basketball (3), Hockey (3), Golf (3), Soccer (1), NASCAR (1)
Repeat stars -- Kevin Costner (3), Burt Reynolds (3), James Earl Jones (2), Rene Russo (2), Adam Sandler (2), Charlie Sheen (2)
Now it's your turn. Let me know what you think of my list, as well as some of your own personal favorites that didn't make the cut.