Which actor and role do you think was the best portrayal of a baseball player in a movie. I’m talking about mechanically, who do you think did it best? I thought Sheen looked pretty good in Major League, but I’d probably have to give it to Costner for either Bull Durham or For The Love of The Game. He hit lefty in BD and actually looked pretty good.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There can be no serious debate here. Kenny F’ing Powers! 
@DanJ posted:There can be no serious debate here. Kenny F’ing Powers!
While I loved the show, Danny McBride didn’t sell me on his actual ability to pitch. Might be the funniest show I’ve ever watched.
"Mr Baseball" with Tom Sellick. Five Southern California Pro scouts were hired as actors. During our Area Code tryouts I would introduce each to the parents. The story line had many "human interest", coaching strategy, team interaction and the romantic involvement of hero with the Japanese culture.
Bob
@Consultant posted:"Mr Baseball" with Tom Sellick. Five Southern California Pro scouts were hired as actors. During our Area Code tryouts I would introduce each to the parents. The story line had many "human interest", coaching strategy, team interaction and the romantic involvement of hero with the Japanese culture.
Bob
Good call! Forgot about that movie. Selleck definitely looked the part.
Tommy Lee Jones as Cobb. I left the theater (a place where movies used to be watched) cemented in the belief Cobb was a monumental a-hole.
A close second David Keith as Parkman in Major League 2.
Robert Redford in The Natural. His swing and throwing motion was real.
Geena Davis 
Too bad that Kurt Russell never landed a role in a baseball movie. He could actually play.
Check out " The Battered Bastards of Baseball" on Netflix.
I think Freddie Prinze Jr. did a bad movie about the Cape Cod League, and he could actually play.
Dennis Quaid in The Rookie was OK as well. He had stiffened a bit with age, but he did have a background as an actual player.
Some real players are role players or extras in Rookie of the Year as well.
Bernie Mac in Mr. 3000 wasn't a total hack.
But I think my vote has to go to Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions.
@Midlo Dad posted:I think Freddie Prinze Jr. did a bad movie about the Cape Cod League, and he could actually play.
Dennis Quaid in The Rookie was OK as well. He had stiffened a bit with age, but he did have a background as an actual player.
Some real players are role players or extras in Rookie of the Year as well.
Bernie Mac in Mr. 3000 wasn't a total hack.
But I think my vote has to go to Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions.
Summer Catch with FPjr could have been really good if he were as good an actor as he is a baseball player! I really liked the idea for the movie but the acting was terrible by just about everybody....except Jessica Biel, she is always good 
We should also talk about the worst portrayal!
I nominate Gary Cooper for Pride of the Yankees.
Though John Goodman's "The Babe" has to be mentioned. Note to JG: The Babe got bigger as his career moved along, but he didn't have a Santa Claus-like bowl full of jelly hanging over his belt for cryin' out loud. Especially not when he first started out.
Tim Robbins was pretty bad. I don't think he has an athletic bone in his body.
Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42.
@TerribleBPthrower posted:Which actor and role do you think was the best portrayal of a baseball player in a movie. I’m talking about mechanically, who do you think did it best? I thought Sheen looked pretty good in Major League, but I’d probably have to give it to Costner for either Bull Durham or For The Love of The Game. He hit lefty in BD and actually looked pretty good.
Costner is supposed to be a "pretty good" baseball player. I read he was a walk-on with CS Fullerton but didn't make it. You can tell he has ability by watching him throw. He previously donated many $$ to CSF baseball program.
I thought Matt LeBlanc was great in 'Ed'. The chimp was very good too.
leslie nielson as an upm in naked gun
@LBmom2021 posted:Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42.
Just died from a battle with cancer. That really stinks. I enjoyed every one of his movie roles.
@Texas1836 posted:That is funny. Tommy is known as one too.
Which is really too bad, I think. I thought Jones crushed it in "No Country for Old Men" but I'm not from Texas, so what do I know.
And before anyone says there's no baseball in "NCFOM" please recall this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B_rRmkbA9I
the whole scene is amazing but "Call it" is sort of a baseball thing.
Be generous with me.
Also, a legit offering: Some of the guys in "Sugar"
