...unmatched. Gary Cooper, and Babe Ruth, and an ending that always makes me cry. Maybe greatest piece of Hollywood schmaltz ever...

A truly extraordinary story on so many levels

Was it only on Netflix? I confess that I don't watch much TV except for an embarrassingly large collection of DVDs. I occasionally watch shows at friends houses though.


I wanted to add The Longest Yard and The Replacements, but ran out of spaces.

Oh, here's Jim Jim Bouton, co-founder of Big League Chew, and Maverick's single season ace pitcher on Johnny Carson. Some pretty funny stuff. Jim Bouton is another extraordinary story.

Last edited Wed Aug 22, 2018, 10:11 AM - Edit history (1)

He grew up north of me in Marin County. Over the years, he occasionally returned to play with the local independent pro team, sometimes on a one-day contract.

In 2012, at 65 years of age, he did an extraordinary thing in San Rafael, and there were rumors Pearly Sweetcake drifted in at 4:20 carrying a bottle of Grand Enwick to watch (cryptic, but cool San Rafael references):



SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Bill “Spaceman” Lee made history last August 23, 2012. Instead of cashing in on his newfound senior citizenship discounts, the 65-year former Major Leaguer took the mound and threw a complete game for the San Rafael Pacifics independent minor league baseball team.

In doing so, the Marin native, who won 119 games in 14 seasons for the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos, became the oldest person to earn the win in a professional baseball game, a record which he had set two years earlier at age 63.

<more>

https://pacificsbaseball.com/index.php/press-box-2015/press-releases2015/22-pacifics-news/pacifics-news-2013/pacifics-press-releases-2013/37-pacifics-celebrate-return-of-bill-spaceman-lee

Spaceman took itinerant pitching to a whole new level, traveling 3,000 miles for a pick-up game!

When we gonna see him back on the mound?

Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee Plays All Nine Positions in Game for Independent San Rafael Pacifics.

https://nesn.com/2013/08/bill-spaceman-lee-plays-all-nine-positions-in-game-for-independent-san-rafael-pacifics/

.......................................

Former Montreal Expos pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee, now 71, will start for the Ottawa Champions in a Can-Am League game against the Rockland Boulders on Montreal Expos Day at RCGT Park on Sept. 3, 2018.

Daily stretching exercise is his secret to longevity



Did you make any of my cryptic trivia clues about San Rafael?

Wow! Just wow!

San Rafael? No idea what you're talking about.

Shel Silverstein, San Rafael high school, and The Mouse that Roared. Google would be a snap for two of them, the third may take some time.

Does this relate to Spaceman's penchant for drugs?

Bill Lee was straight laced until he was enlightened at USC, besides he went to Terra Linda high school, just to the north of San Rafael high school.

There's a commentary with Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner that's hilarious.

I watch it every time it pops up on TV

Of other: Bang The Drum Slowly
The Natural
Hoosiers

Another vote for Bang The Drum Slowly

Last edited Tue Aug 21, 2018, 02:50 AM - Edit history (1)

"You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have barely a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football players in the land for 2 years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself. And after what you've gone through, if you haven't done that by now, it ain't gonna never happen. Now go on back. " from Charles S Dutton's character is one of my faves... I also like how he ends up watching the game. The players offering up their jerseys for Rudy to play is such a display of solidarity that it makes me tear up.

But another movie that I love that didn't get much fanfare is "The Express - the Ernie Davis story". I had never heard of Ernie Davis before I saw the movie. I watched it, alone, with a free HBO promotional period and wept. Not long after that, I attended the Football HOF induction ceremonies in which Floyd Little (Ernie and Jim Brown's successor at Syracuse) gave a phenomenal speech and was introduced by VP Joe Biden. Both men have given such tribute to Ernie Davis.

Brian's Song was pretty good too.

I do remember how moving it was.

So my two favorites are “Secretariat” and “Seabiscuit”. The 31 length margin of victory and record breaking time of 2:24 for Secretariat in the Belmont was simply amazing. “Seabiscuit” is just such a great underdog story.
I would also throw “Miracle” in there. Loved the boys beating the Russians. Thought Kurt Russell was a terrific Herb Brooks.
Really, I just love sports movies. Love all the ones listed above.

I've not yet seen Secretariat but will watch now due to your recommendation here. Thank you!

That and Seabiscuit. I cry every time I watch either.

I was curious why it didn't make the list.

The Mighty Ducks was a good hearted one too

Breaking Away
Powerball

Story of the 1919 "Blacksox" who threw the World Series.

So sad.

Such a stellar cast, too.

The late, great John Mahoney in a moving role as the Sox' manager.

A pre-crazy Charlie Sheen.

Don Harvey in his element as a hatchet-faced lout.

John Cusack in his element as a character of winsome sincerity.

Nancy Travis in a role that brings to mind the puzzling question of why she has not been a bigger star.

Kevin Tighe in his post-Emergency! run of villainous character roles.

The always perfectly-wonderful David Straithairn...

Writer-Director John Sayles as Ring Lardner.

Rocky III is still my all-time favorite.

Ali
Pumping Iron
Raging Bull

Just about anything about Ali is a favorite too. My favorite sports hero, and pretty high on the political scale too.

It is in my top five favorite movie list!

Still thinking about my favorite but this should be in a list

the Drum Slowly.

...Hard to believe that neither one of them has been mentioned yet...

True story. Great Movie. Everyone should see it.