Best Baseball Movies

It's that time of year again. The leaves are changing color, frost is on the pumpkin and folks all around America are gathering together around their televisions to root against the Yankees.

Yes, it's fall and that means just one thing 'round these parts: the World Series. And what better way to celebrate America's Pastime then by watching some of the greatest baseball movies ever made? Of course, there are a lot to choose from, but don't worry, because we've gone to the trouble of narrowing it down for you so that you can spend your time carving that Derek Jeter jack-o'-lantern.

So without further ado, then, here's our list of the top eight baseball movies of all time.


8. 'Bad News Bears'
This family film has spawned numerous sequels, remakes and copycats since its debut in 1976, but the original is still the best. Fans of modern cinema should also take note: The movie, which follows the story of a group of rag tag little leaguers, features a young Jackie Earl Haley, who recently played the headlining role of Rorschach in 'Watchmen'.





7. 'A League of Their Own'
During World War II, baseball, like most stateside industries, suffered from a severe shortage of men. And like the factories that kept our boys going, the solution for baseball was simple: Bring in women to do the job instead. The movie tells the story of professional women's baseball and the ladies who fought for the right to do what they loved, which was playing ball.





6. 'Major League'
Comedy and baseball seem to go hand in hand, just like losing and the Cleveland Indians. The brilliance of is that it brings all four together in one masterful melting pot. We strongly recommend you stick with just the original, however; leave the sequels for another season.





5. 'Eight Men Out'
Of course, not all baseball films are comedies. This movie recounts the darkest chapter in major league history, when the 1919 White Sox were accused of throwing the World Series, leading to several players being banned for life. It also features a crackerjack cast that includes acting stalwarts John Cusack and David Strathairn.

4. 'Pride of the Yankees'
Lou Gehrig, who died at the age of 37, is perhaps the most beloved and tragic figure in baseball history. Considered one of the best players ever, he suddenly contracted a rare disease during the 1938 season and was forced to retire. The movie features several of his teammates as themselves, including Babe Ruth, tells the story of his life, death and the moving farewell speech that remains one of the great moments in American sports.





3. 'The Natural'
Acting legend Robert Redford lent his gravitas and baby blues to the story of a baseball prospect whose career is seemingly cut short by an act of random violence, only to get a second chance late in life. The movie, which was nominated for four Oscars, also features one of the most famous endings in sports film history.





2. 'Bull Durham'
Nobody has made as many baseball films as Kevin Costner and among his many classics is the story of a baseball lifer who is hanging on in the minors for a shot at the home run record and for sheer love of the game. Co-starring Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, who met on the set and have been married ever since, 'Bull Durham' also features one of the most famous monologues in film.




1. 'Field of Dreams'
Kevin Costner's greatest contribution to both sports and film, however, has to be this movie about a man who builds a baseball field in his back yard in an attempt to reconnect with his departed father has become one of the quintessential American movies.




Sound off: What's your favorite baseball movie? What did we leave off the list?