If social distancing and a complete lack of live sports have left you in a state of depression, you’re not alone. Baseball fans who were gearing up for Opening Day to arrive on March 26th are now left to wonder when their favorite team will be back in action. In the meantime, fans will need to consume baseball-related media to satisfy their craving for America’s pastime.
Below are the best baseball movies to watch while self-quarantined. And click here to find the best non-baseball films with great baseball scenes.
Best Movie for Statisticians: Moneyball
Based on the revolutionary book by Michael Lewis, this 2011 film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Although diehard baseball fans may notice a few historical inaccuracies, the film manages to tell its gripping true story without falling back on conventional sports movie cliches.
The performances are uniformly excellent, from Brad Pitt’s charismatic portrayal of A’s GM Billy Beane to Jonah Hill’s subtle performance as Beane’s assistant Peter Brand (a character based primarily on Paul DePodesta).
This is a film so powerful that even the perpetually stoic Captain Raymond Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine is moved to tears when he first sees it. As Beane so poignantly asks at one point in the film, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
Best Family Movie: The Sandlot
The Sandlot was a childhood favorite of mine, mainly because it captures the joyful spirit of neighborhood kids gathering together to play baseball. This is a movie that understands how kids think and interact with each other, and it’s that quality that makes it such a timeless delight.
Like Stand by Me, The Sandlot is a coming-of-age film that reminds us what it was like to be an adolescent. It evokes a yearning for a simpler time, and its nostalgic appeal can be appreciated by any demographic.
The film features a memorable appearance from James Earl Jones, a veteran of another baseball classic, Field of Dreams. Some view that 1989 feature as the pinnacle of sentimental baseball movies, but The Sandlot is the superior film.
Best Comedies: Major League and Major League II
The original Major League is cherished by sports fans, and it’s not hard to understand why. The dialogue is endlessly quotable, the roles are perfectly cast, and Bob Uecker’s performance as Indians broadcaster Harry Doyle is a masterclass in comic timing.
Major League II is much more cartoonish and — as is often the case with sequels — the premise is not quite as fresh the second time around. But while it’s not as beloved as its predecessor, Major League II still has its moments of comedic inspiration.
Among the wacky characters introduced in this sequel is a rookie catcher named Rube Baker, who learns how to overcome the yips by memorizing the Victoria’s Secret catalog. There’s also Japanese outfielder Hiroshi Tanaka, who hilariously taunts Pedro Cerrano about his lack of “marbles.” Overall, Major League II is a pleasant diversion, and far better than its 5 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes would suggest.
Best Tearjerker: Angels in the Outfield
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been in the spotlight for most of his adult life, but one of his first leading roles came when he was still a child. Gordon-Levitt was just 13 years old when Disney’s remake of Angels in the Outfield hit the big screen in 1994.
The movie–in which Gordon-Levitt plays a foster child named Roger–is unabashedly sentimental. It tugs at the heartstrings repeatedly, so don’t be embarrassed if you’re reduced to a sniveling mess by the end.
All I’m saying is, if you don’t cry when Tony Danza dies, you’re an absolute monster.
In all seriousness though, I have a huge soft spot for this movie. Christopher Lloyd brings plenty of Doc Brown zaniness to the role of head angel Al, and Danny Glover is appropriately grumpy as embattled Angels manager George Knox.
It’s also fun to spot several major movie stars who had yet to hit the big time, including Oscar winners Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey.
Best Double Feature: A League of Their Own and 61*
These movies have little in common in terms of narrative, but they’re both expertly-acted character pieces based on real events. A League of Their Own is an ideal selection for Women’s History Month, as it celebrates the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that arose during World War II.
The ensemble cast is in top form, the characters are thoroughly developed, and the script is peppered with clever one-liners.
Another great historical baseball film is 61*, directed by Billy Crystal. This movie depicts the dynamic between Yankee teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle as they chase Babe Ruth’s hallowed single-season home run record.
Stars Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane are both physical dead ringers for their real-life counterparts, and they convey the emotional torment that these players experienced during the 1961 home run chase. Like A League of Their Own, 61* is awash in period-specific detail that gives it an air of historical authenticity.
Searle’s Final Say
We don’t know when professional baseball will resume, and fans are already desperate to fill the void created by its absence. With no Spring Training action to watch or storylines to follow, fans will need to revisit their favorite films to tide them over in the weeks until Opening Day. These stories remind us why we fell in love with baseball, and why our hearts ache when the world is deprived of this beautiful game.
