Memorable Sports Movies

I’m sure you this is the list you have all been waiting for. We all have our favorite movies, either because it’s our favorite sport or takes us back to where we were at that point in our lives. Naturally some of the best movies are true stories about athletes or loosely based on sports figures. But there is also room for those flicks where you just have to suspend disbelief, and of course those memorable lines we all have etched in our minds which make the good movies great. Before we get to our top 20, here are a few that just missed the list:

Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, Seabiscuit, Tin Cup, Jerry Maguire

As good as those movies may be, they do not rank as high as these 20 memorable movies:

20. The Sandlot – For me, this reminds me of my nephew saying, “The ball, the beast,” but at one time or another we have all said, “You’re killing me Smalls!” A great movie with a great feel good ending and it always has you wanting s’more.

19. Invincible – One of the coolest sports names around, Vince Papale obtains the status all guys want, a shot in the dark to reach our dreams. It has a great cast with Mark Wahlberg and Greg Kinnear, and something about that forced fumble on the punt gives me the chills. Perhaps this movie is on the list because Elizabeth Banks in her role reminds me of my wife.

18. Remember the Titans – Some of you are going to ask why this isn’t higher, but it is still a great movie. Anything with Denzel Washington is worth the watch. We have all said, “Sunshine!!! Sunshine!!” in a high-pitched almost singing voice. Also, a great sports movie with a great soundtrack makes this film rare.

17. The Fighter – Anytime you have two Oscar winners in a movie, it has to get recognized. Walhberg could become another Kevin Costner with fame and success in sports movies. Throw in the performances by Melissa Leo, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams and you have a great film. Mickey Ward is a must-see.

16. 61* - In the only movie on this list that wasn’t in theatres, Billy Crystal directs this diamond in the rough about Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris’ pursuit to one of baseball’s greatest record. It shows baseball at its purest and also shows two teammates with great camaraderie who wore the pinstripes with pride.

15. Caddyshack – This is one of those classics all guys just have to watch. I can’t tell you how many times on the golf course I’ve uttered the words, “Oh Billy Billy Billy” and “Thank you, thank you very little.” You can’t go wrong with Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray.

14. Karate Kid – Again, a movie with plenty of memorable lines, “Wax on, wax off”, “Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything”, and don’t forget my personal favorite, “Sweep the leg!” I think everyone could use a Mr. Miyagi in their life, although I’m not sure I know anyone as weak as Daniel LaRusso. Do people even know that Pat Morita earned an Oscar nomination for this role?

13. Prefontaine – Probably the least watched on this list, but nonetheless true story of a remarkable athlete who was at his beginning. Steve Prefontaine was courageous, charismatic and perhaps a little conceited. But he wanted to win more than anyone and think about this, of the athletes there have been over the years, Nike has erected a statue to only one, Steve Prefontaine. A must-see.

12. A League of the Own – Perhaps the most memorable line in sports movies came when Tom Hanks said, “There’s no crying in baseball!” This is another great cast with Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna and many others. Men and women both love this true story about the members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Tell me you wouldn’t want Dottie Henson on your team.

11. Coach Carter – In case you forgot about this one, go buy it today. Samuel L. Jackson gives you one of the more underrated performances in sports movies. This is one of those movies that has one person who makes a huge difference to a team that is used to losing and probably going nowhere in life. Any kid in high school has to see it.

10. The Natural – I think people forget about the cast of this classic. We all know about Robert Redford, but what about Glenn Close, Barbara Hershey and Kim Basinger in her heyday? Another one of those Cinderella stories of a man who pushes the sunset back for one more great moment. The Dodgers should sign Roy Hobbs today, as long as he has his Wonderboy.

9. Bull Durham – Costner’s big sports movies debut was a smash, or should I say Crash? Never before has there been a career minor league baseball player who was loved more than Crash Davis. Also a great cast with Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Robert Wuhl. We all love Bull Durham.

8. Rudy – I only played one year of football as the kicker on the JV team. But watching this movie and seeing Rudy sack the quarterback at the end, I still get chills every time. You’re not going to root for anyone harder than little Rudy Ruettiger. He’s taken a beating lately from the likes of Joe Montana and others about his legacy, but Rudy is still a classic.

7. Major League – Even my grandmother says, “Just a bit outside,” although no one can say it like Harry Doyle. So what if Rickey “Wild Thing” Vaughn was on steroids? He could care less about the Hall of Fame. Has there ever been a cooler ending than the bunt beat out by the aging catcher Jake Taylor and Willie Mays Hayes scoring from second base? Too many R rated lines to put here. Ok, “Win the whole f***ing thing.”

6. Field of Dreams – So hard for me to not put this movie higher. My favorite movie was made into real life when my wife and I made the trek out to Dyersville, IA. Another movie with another one of those memorable lines, “If you build it, he will come.” The film has legendary cast of Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster. Who wouldn’t want to come out of the corn fields and play with Shoeless Joe Jackson?

5. Miracle – Most people will say they saw the real thing so why watch the movie? Answer: for Kurt Russell’s speech prior to the game against the Soviets. I’m telling you, that speech is unmatched. I was too young to remember the game live, but even my mom talks about it to this day. I think Miracle captures the feel of every American leading up to and after the monumental game.

4. We Are Marshall – Perhaps a surprise to people that it is this high on the list, but you pretty much cry from beginning to end and love it at the same time. Never has Matthew McConaughey been better. It is a true story of the devastating event to the Marshall University football team and athletic department. If you haven’t seen it, remember, “my shoulder’s fine.” This movie belongs in the top 5.

3. Pride of the Yankees – Another movie I am not afraid to say I shed some tears to, Gary Cooper nails his role of Lou Gehrig. Most of the young crowd probably has never heard of this movie, but go watch it tonight. Get past the fact that it’s in black and white and remember you get to see Babe Ruth portray himself.

2. Hoosiers – “Strap, put Ollie on your shoulder, measure it from the rim, Buddy? 10 feet. 10 feet. I think you’ll find these exact measurements in our gym back at Hickory.” It just doesn’t get better than that. Gene Hackman should have won an Oscar for his role of Coach Norman Dale. The lines, the story, the finish. And think about this, it is a basketball movie with no dunks, and you know what, who cares? They had Shooter, Jimmy Chitwood and the Picket Fence. Enough said.

1. Rocky – Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay and wouldn’t hand it over unless he got to play the starring role based on the life of boxer Chuck Wepner. How many sports movies have the title role lose in the end? And yet, it still won the Oscar for Best Picture. Hands down, Rocky is the best sports movie ever.