For decades, sports movies have topped the charts, creating a special genre that never fails to draw crowds.
Some of these movies have become classics that will be watched and quoted for generations to come.
People all over the country know “there’s no crying in baseball,” and “If you build it, they will come,” and viewers for generations will know and understand the immortal wisdom of “Wax on, wax off.”
Movies like “The Sandlot” can take viewers back to their days of backyard baseball with the neighborhood kids.ESPN.com ranked “Hoosiers” as the top sports movie of all time, but Auburn students have their own opinions on which movie should hold the number one spot.
“‘Mighty Ducks’ (the original) is my favorite,” said Jordan Verbas, a sophomore in criminology. “When I was little I used to have an obsession with hockey, and I thought it was really, really funny.”
Some students, like Fletcher Flynn, a junior in human resource management, enjoy the more serious movies like “Rudy.”
“I like ‘Rudy’ because it’s really sad,” Flynn said.
Baseball movies such as “The Sandlot” or “Angels in the Outfield” also have a following.
“Field of Dreams is my favorite movie because I played baseball, so I liked it,” said Brad Nordstorm, a sophomore in landscape horticulture.
On ESPN.com’s list, “Raging Bull” came in second, followed by “Field of Dreams” and “Bull Durham.”
In a list compiled by ESPN.com Sportsnation users, “Hoosiers” also came in on top, followed by “Caddyshack” and “Field of Dreams.”
“Leatherheads,” starring and directed by George Clooney, opens in theaters April 4.
The first sports movie of 2008, the film joins a 1925 professional football team as the NFL struggles to form.
It is yet to be seen if “Leatherheads” will join the ranks of “Remember the Titans” and “Million Dollar Baby,” but doing so will be difficult.
The Plainsman’s sports staff picks the best sports movies of all time
1. “The Natural”
Hands-down the best movie, sports or otherwise. It has all the elements of a classic. Anyone who doesn’t get choked up in the final scene needs to check their heartbeat. Robert Redford flawlessly portrays a ball player past his prime who has the talents to guide his team to the championship game with the help of “Wonderboy.”
2. “Major League”
Humor, baseball, romance and the janitor from Scrubs before he got famous. What more could you want?
3. “Rocky”
The story of a nobody boxer from South Philly, who trains his heart out and almost beats the heavyweight champion, will motivate anyone to accomplish their dreams.
4. “Hoosiers”
What could easily be called the greatest basketball movie of all time is No. 4 on our list. Starring Gene Hackman, a story about a coach who turns a team of overlooked basketball players into champions is a timeless classic.
5. “Rudy”
This film based on a true story proves that it’s not the size of your body, but the size of your heart that matters.
6. “The Sandlot”
Although based in the 1960s, this movie is a classic that captures the essence of childhood friendships. A nerdy kid moves to a small town, where sandlot baseball is the neighborhood staple, endures a summer that shapes the rest of his life.
7. “Remember the Titans”
This film captured the racial tensions of the 1960s during integration and showed how a sport can break barriers and bring a small town together throughout the most controversial times.
8. “The Bad News Bears”
The late, great Walter Matthau stars as Morris Buttermaker, a has-been-ball player-turned-little league coach for a group of kids who are beyond awful at the sport. With the help of a pre-teen rebel and a girl with a mean curve ball, Buttermaker takes the Bears to the championship game. Sure, it seems cliche, but the foul-mouthed, beer guzzling kids make it one of the best sports movies of all time. Especially when the most outspoken kid of the group tells the Yankees where they can shove their trophy and their apology.
9. “Field of Dreams”
Anyone who thinks baseball is “just a game” needs to watch this movie. To Kevin Coster’s character, it is the reason he and his father had any type of relationship at all.
10. “A League of Their Own”
This movie is on our list thanks to the line, “There’s no crying in baseball.” It’s a tearjerker for girls, especially little sisters.
