"People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again." - "Field of Dreams"

When I was a small boy, two things stirred my imagination like nothing else. "Star Wars" was one. The other was baseball.

Baseball games were like stories to me. Of all the games in all the world it's the one that, at its best, is the most like a great movie. Maybe that's why there are probably more films about baseball than football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and golf combined.

As we begin yet another season, I'll be taking a look at some of the finest films about baseball ever made, as well as some hidden treasures, and probably a stinker or two. The list is chronological, by order of release.

Pride of the Yankees (1942) - Though I hate the Yankees now, without the great Yankee teams of the 1920s through the sixties, the history of baseball would be nowhere near as rich. "Pride" tells the story of a legend among legends, first baseman Lou Gehrig. Gary Cooper plays the tragic figure in a film that garnered eleven Oscar nominations.

The Babe Ruth Story (1948) - William Bendix plays the most legendary figure in baseball history in a film that is decidedly less than legendary. At one point, we see the Great Bambino accidentally hitting a small dog with a batting practice ball. He skips the game and runs around town with a sad little boy as they attempt to save the dog's life. You're kind of curious about this one now, aren't you?

The Natural (1984) - My absolute favorite baseball movie. Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs, a "middle-aged rookie" with a tragic past. Barry Levinson's film (which centers on the fictional New York Knights in 1939) is as magical as any movie you will ever see. Everything about "The Natural" is full of wonder and the ending gets me every time.

Bull Durham (1988) - Ron Shelton's story of an aging minor league catcher (Kevin Costner), a pitcher with "a million dollar arm and a ten cent head" (Tim Robbins), and the woman who loves them (Susan Sarandon) is just a wee bit overrated, but it is quite good. Trey Wilson's "lollygagger" rant is comic gold.

Eight Men Out (1988) - John Sayles' examination of the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal features an exceptional cast (John Cusack, David Strathairn, and D.B. Sweeney as Joe Jackson) and wonderful period detail. In an early scene Jackson jaws at a mocking fan after hitting a triple, showing just how much more intimate a major league baseball game was ninety years ago.

Seen mainly through the eyes of short stop Buck Weaver (Cusack), the film's acknowledgment that this would not be the last time the sports world would be tarnished by scandal makes the loss of innocence detailed in the film even more heartbreaking.

Field of Dreams (1989) - A year after "Eight Men Out," Phil Alden Robinson gave the "Black Sox" a chance at redemption. Listening to the voice in his head, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) knocks down his corn field to put in a baseball diamond. Not only do Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) and the rest of the 1919 Sox appear, but Ray is given the chance to connect with his deceased father that he'd never taken. The monologue delivered near film's end by James Earl Jones speaks to the heart of every baseball fan and truly, every American.

Major League (1989) - It follows the standard sports comedy formula, but that doesn't make this movie any less fun. Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes play the two young stars of the long-suffering Cleveland Indians, with Tom Berenger as the veteran catcher who guides them along. Watching Bob Uecker's turn as cynical announcer Harry Doyle is a joy in itself.

Little Big League (1994) - This film came and went quietly, most likely due to having a storyline similar to "Rookie of the Year," released shortly before it. This time instead of pitching for the Cubs, the 12-year-old in question (Luke Edwards) ends up managing the Minnesota Twins after his grandfather (Jason Robards) leaves him the team in his will. Ultimately it's a much more enjoyable movie than "Rookie."

The best reason to see it, though, is that the final twenty minutes of the film are about a one-game playoff between the Twins and the Seattle Mariners. Lou Piniella, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Randy Johnson all appear as themselves. There is a moment with Johnson that is eerily similar to game five of the division series against the Yankees in 1995. Don't ever let anyone tell you that life doesn't imitate art.

The Scout (1994) - One of the funniest people on the planet, Albert Brooks, stars as the title character. The down-on-his-luck baseball talent scout has found possibly the most talented player the world has ever known, Steve Nebraska (Brendan Fraser). But things prove difficult when Steve turns out to be as kooky as he is gifted.

61* (2001) - In the summer of 1961, baseball fans were treated to a duel between Yankee teammates Mickey Mantle (Thomas Jane) and Roger Maris (Barry Pepper) to see if one, or both, could overtake Babe Ruth as the single season home run champion. The unlikely Maris ended up breaking the record as bitter Yankee fans griped that they'd wanted Mickey to do it. Due to the newly expanded 162-game schedule it was decided that an asterisk would be placed next to Maris's name in the record books. The terrible shame is that Maris is probably the only player to surpass Ruth's single season record to have done so legitimately.

Coming to DVD:

April 14

The Reader (R) - 8/10
Wings: The Final Season
The Spirit (PG-13)

April 21

The Wrestler (R) - 8.5/10
Frost/Nixon (R) - 7.5/10
Freakazoid: Season 2

Questions or comments about the DVD releases or reviews? Send a e-mail to [email protected].