by - The Natural (1984)- This Oscar nominated movie starring Robert Redford as the “guy from nowhere” Roy Hobbs, delivers one of the greatest ending sequences in sports movie history. The use of light used by director Barry Levinson, to show the light as good and dark as evil in life and baseball is a great touch that i notice more and more with every viewing. Hobbs had it all and was on his way to being the greatest of all time but then went to the “dark” and was on a slippery slope with a woman in black and then all is lost. Then out of nowhere he comes back as an older player for the New York Knights as a player that no one wanted. He turns out to be just the man they needed to take back their team from the owner. When the lights are showering down with Redford rounding the bases at the end, for me is my favorite moment in any sports movie.
Honorable mention- Eight men out, 42, The Rookie, Bad news bears, Hardball.
Well that’s the list. Hope you all enjoyed it and feel free to comment your thoughts on why I’m crazy or right on the money !!
Perfect list! My order would have been different, but all the stalwarts were represented. Great read!!