Comedy
Bull Durham 1988
Mallory's white whale and one of her three favorite films ever; watched it five days straight in high school. Took it in comedy over drama or based-on-a-true-story.
The Big Picture · Draft
The Baseball Movie Draft
September 30, 2026/ 102 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan · Mallory Rubin
Four drafters build baseball-movie rosters across six categories: drama, comedy, kids, high concept, based on a true story, and a wild card loose enough to cover anything with a baseball in it. The argument running under it all is what even counts as a baseball movie. Chris Ryan and Mallory Rubin join for the picks.
23 films across 1 segment.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
The teams drafting baseball movies
Mallory Rubin
High concept
The Natural 1984
Argued in as high concept for the mythic Roy Hobbs and the lightning-struck Wonderboy bat.
Based on a true story
61* 2001
Billy Crystal's Maris/Mantle home-run chase; Barry Pepper as Maris. An HBO telefilm whose eligibility was debated, then allowed.
Amanda Dobbins
Comedy
Eephus 2024
A rec-league game that goes on and on; observational and funny, with real sadness underneath.
High concept
Ed 1996
Matt LeBlanc and a baseball-playing chimp, drafted late off Sean's list; allowed as high concept.
Based on a true story
The Rookie 2002
Dennis Quaid as 35-year-old rookie Jim Morris. Sentimental and Disney-fied, and it works.
Wild card
Good Will Hunting 1997
Only tangentially baseball: the Carlton Fisk 'had to see about a girl' speech and the Little League bleachers.
Sean Fennessey
Based on a true story
A League of Their Own 1992
Snatched it at No. 3, the pick Amanda was hoping would come back to her.
Comedy
Everybody Wants Some!! 2016
Linklater's college-baseball hangout movie; the most authentic dudes-rocking film.
Drama
Sugar 2008
Boden and Fleck; the most realistic minor-league portrayal, really an immigration story.
High concept
Rookie of the Year 1993
12-year-old throws 104 after a busted arm; Gary Busey coked out as Chet Steadman.
Kids movie
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training 1977
Not better than the original, but a genuinely good sports sequel; Astrodome finale.
Wild card
Baseball
Ken Burns' nine-inning PBS documentary miniseries (1994), not a feature. Contested as a wild card but allowed, alongside Good Will Hunting and Interstellar.
Chris Ryan
Based on a true story
Eight Men Out 1988
John Sayles on the Black Sox scandal; his second Shoeless Joe pick after Field of Dreams.
High concept
Night Game 1989
Roy Scheider hunts a killer who strikes during Astros night games; the draft's first real reach, sitting at 2.7 on Letterboxd.
Kids movie
Summer Catch 2001
Freddie Prinze Jr. in the Cape Cod League; 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, drafted anyway.
Wild card
Interstellar 2014
Admittedly a bit; the dust-storm Yankees game stands in for the environmental collapse.
On the board, undrafted honorable mentions
Angels in the OutfieldLittle Big LeagueThe Pride of the YankeesFor Love of the GameFever PitchMillion Dollar ArmBang the Drum SlowlyThe Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor KingsHardballMr. 3000The ScoutThe FanTrouble with the CurveCobbGame 6Fear Strikes OutThe Slugger's WifeThe Catcher Was a SpyBASEketballIt Happens Every SpringBrewster's MillionsThe Life and Times of Hank GreenbergThe LeagueUp for GrabsKnuckleballMajor League II
Also mentioned raised along the way
Baseball scenes in non-baseball films TwilightBoyhoodMy Best Friend's WeddingWar of the WorldsA Few Good MenThe TownDazed and ConfusedThe Naked GunFerris Bueller's Day OffSpeedy
In passing CasablancaPocahontasThe New WorldGone with the WindKill BillThe RingPsychoMy Octopus TeacherMonkey Man
Filmography tangents Captain MarvelMississippi GrindHalf NelsonFoxcatcherAny Given SundayEverybody's All-AmericanThe Best of TimesChasing LibertyFirst KidThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementBeethoven's 4thNational Lampoon's Barely LegalFull Moon in Blue Water
Other sports movies and coming soon F1Top GunCarsMiami ViceDiggerMr. IrrelevantPrimetime
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV Ken Burns' The National ParksFormula 1: Drive to SurviveMasters of the AirSuccessionSex and the City
Video games Guitar Hero
Ads State Farm