The All-Time Baseball Movie Team

There is no shortage of quality baseball movies (as well as bad ones like the Angels in the Outfield remake) out there for sports fans to enjoy. What if an all-star team was compiled using these players? Talent plays a large role in this, but I would be lying if I didn't pick a few over others because I enjoyed the character more. Regardless, here is the team I would assemble, even going as far as appointing a coaching staff and filling out lineups.

One thing to note before we get started: I excluded any characters based primarily on a real player in baseball history. Yes, I know A League of Their Own was losely based on history, but if not for the movie, most would never know that to be true. This list is to give the more fictional players their glory.


Batting leadoff, and playing center field...

Willie Mays Hayes (Major League) - Every team needs some flair, and Hayes brings it. I bat him leadoff, despite my concerns for his high strikeout total, based purely on speed. Hayes and Rodriguez (below) refuse to race each other, but my money is on Hayes if they ever do. He has the green light on the base paths at all times.



Batting 2nd, and playing shortstop...

Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez (The Sandlot) - The kid can basically play anywhere, so I want him anchoring my infield. By far the fastest kid in the neighborhood, he show glimpses of a complete 5-tool player. Plus, he isn't afraid of ghosts, beasts or leading a team of scrubs to victories. With a much better supporting cast on this team, he is major part.




Batting 3rd, and playing left field...

Kelly Leak (Bad News Bears) - This kid knows he's good, and he just doesn't care what anyone thinks. You want him to go yard? He will if he feels like it. Because of his antics, I hide him in left field in case he pulls a "Kelly being Kelly" moment. My manager (later on in the article) will be quick to bench him if he acts up too much.



Batting cleanup, and playing right field...

Roy Hobbs (The Natural) - Arguably the best player on the team, he literally hits the cover off the ball. He plays right field but excels in the batter's box. As he goes, so does the team. I mean seriously, the movie he is in says all you need to know about him.



Batting 5th, and playing 1st Base...

Jack Elliot (Mr. Baseball) - If nothing else, Tom Selleck has to be on this team if possible. He's a former World Series MVP who proved he could play both in the majors and in Japan. He's getting up their in age when the movie airs, but still has enough left in the tank to be a middle of the lineup hitter.



Batting 6th, and catching...

Crash Davis (Bull Durham) - So technically someone else would have to catch when Chapel pitches, but this guy is exactly who you need to lead a team behind the plate. It's really a mistery how someone of his caliber is stuck in the minors, but the switch-hitter has a lot of pop in his bat, and leadership skills to boot.



Batting 7th, and playing 3rd Base...

Roger Dorn (Major League) - So every team has their stars and their role players. If Dorn can at least knock a few balls down, Benny will get to the rest of them. The talent on this team will keep him grounded and focused as well, so no need to worry about his other business adventures.



Batting 8th, and playing 2nd Base...

Marla Hooch (A League of Their Own) - Second base(wo)men are hard to come by, but a switch-hitter with power can help any team. Her lack of any type of personality screams she is here for one reason: drop bombs and win ballgames. She'll do.



Batting 9th, the starting pitchers...

Billy Chapel (For Love of the Game) - The crafty veteran will be my "ace", even though I have confidence in all my pitchers. Chapel just has it. He knows how to pitch, and saves his best stuff for the right time. Game 7, he is, without a doubt, getting the ball.



Steve Nebraska (The Scout) - If he can put his mental issues aside, this guy is a two-way force. He hits homeruns with ease and can run his fastball up to 112 mph (with some late arm side run at the end). His early childhood issues still pop up from time to time, but I have faith my staff can bring out the Steve Nebraska who threw an 81 pitch, 27 strikeout perfect game in the World Series.



Henry Rowengartner (Rookie of the Year) - Performance enhancers? Who needs them when you can just have a humanly impossible tightened tendon to throw frozen ropes from the center field bleachers to the catcher. If he could incorporate his eephus and trickery on the bump, he could be a solid back of the rotation starter.



Ryan Dunne (Summer Catch) - Lefties are hard enough to come by, but a hard-throwing lefty is essential for every rotation. Put the attitude problems aside, and he is a solid pitcher. He threw a combined no-no in the Cape, and despite giving up a bomb to Ken Griffey Jr., he at least made it to the Major League level. He also probably has the hottest significant other on the team (Jessica Biel).



Henry "Author" Wiggen (Bang the Drum Slowly) - He was the ace for a World Series team in the movie, and had enough quality pitches to make my rotation. He was also a good time manager, since he sold insurance on the side while playing baseball. There will be no need to do that for this team.



Middle Relief

Eddie Harris (Major League) - Another guy who has been around for a long time, Harris will be a spot starter and long reliever. He doesn't do anything well, but he knows how to pitch and can eat innings.



Amanda Whurlitzer (Bad News Bears) - This girl instantly turned the Bad News Bears into a Little League contender, showcasing a never back down attitude and a mean streak. She's an aggressive pitcher who isn't afraid to come inside.



Closer

Rick Vaughn (Major League) - His electrifying stuff and inpredictability will keep fans interested, but in the end, he just closes out games.




Utility Players

Bobby Rayburn (The Fan) - Could probably start on any other team, except his actor (Wesley Snipes) is already starting in center field for this one. In the movie, he is arguably the best current player in the league in his prime. Can play all outfield positions.



Bump Bailey (The Natural) - A great player in his own right, he clashed with Roy Hobbs. However, he could be a great defensive replacement in outfield. I don't know too many others who literally run through a wall and kill himself for the team.



Joe Hardy (Damn Yankees) - Any guy who is hitting .524 midway through the season can get playing time on my team. He can play any position as well, I just wonder if his playing style can translate to the modern game.



Stan Ross (Mr. 3000) - He has 2997 career hits, so another veteran leader who can do the job when called upon. Underrated defender as well, but he's mostly on the team to hit.



Dottie Hinson (A League of Their Own) - The overall best female player in the history of baseball, she has a problem because she plays a position loaded with talent. She definitely knows how to deal with problems on the field (like her sister) and problems off the field (husband off at war). She'll be Chapel's personal catcher as long as her husband allows it.



Jake Taylor (Major League) - More of a player-coach, he is an emergency catcher. Can get the job done, but also is very open to deferring to the talent ahead of him. Just a great teammate.




Pitching Coach

Phil Brickman (Rookie of the Year) - Yea, so what if he's an idiot. This team needs someone to make fun of and laugh at. He keeps the pitching staff loose and winning games. Hopefully he continues to lock himself in the locker room when real decisions are needed to be made.




Manager

Jimmy Dugan (A League of Their Own) - Simply put, this guy can flat out manage a team. He's not afraid to get in a player's face, but he also has a compassionate side. Will take chances, like executing suicide squeezes with his best hitters (work on your bunting Hobbs). He'll demand respect in the clubhouse.