(If you live in the Washington, DC area.)
The Library of Congress will host a series of baseball films from Sept. 28-Oct. 2, as part of its “Baseball Americana Lunchtime Film Series” in the Pickford Theater of the Madison Building.
Monday, Sept. 28
In Search of History: The World Series Fixed! The Black Sox Scandal (1998)
Eight players on the 1919 Chicago White Sox were banished from the Major Leagues for conspiring to throw the World Series, despite their courtroom acquittal in 1920. This gripping account of gamblers, gangsters, ballplayers, and a stingy team owner chronicles the events that nearly destroyed the professional game.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
When It Was a Game (1991)
This acclaimed documentary from HBO offers an unusual perspective on the Major Leagues from 1934 to 1957, as seen through the color home movies shot by fans and players. Back then, said St. Louis star outfielder Enos Slaughter, “You even had to pay for your own sandwiches between doubleheaders.”
Wednesday, Sept. 30
There Was Always Sun Shining Some Place: Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues (1983)
James Earl Jones narrates this compelling but rarely shown documentary, featuring archival footage of East-West Classics, winter ball in Mexico and Cuba, and latter-day interviews with stars Satchel Paige and Buck Leonard and team owner Effa Manley.
Thursday, Oct. 1
A League of Their Own (1987) and The Steve Allen Show (1956)
See the revelatory documentary that led to a feature film about the All- American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1955) and a place in Cooperstown for its players. Also on the bill are clips from the Oct. 7, 1956, broadcast of The Steve Allen Show, featuring appearances by Mickey Mantle, Mrs. Babe Ruth, and Abbott and Costello, delivering their classic “Who’s on First” routine.
Friday, Oct. 2
The Earl of Baltimore (2005)
The Orioles’ fiery manager Earl Weaver (1968-1982, 1985-1986) calmly
ruminates on his baseball philosophy and success as a major league skipper, his 97 game ejections, and his infamous run-ins with umpires. This interview with a former commissioner of Major League Baseball is part of the Fay Vincent Oral History Project, archived at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.


Given the draft of the script.










That’s Bull
14 11 2008I recently watched the movie for the umpteenth time and one scene in particular always makes me scratch my head. It takes place in the night game in which Nuke adheres to Crash’s pitch selection (he’s also wearing Annie Savoy’s garter belt, but what the hey).
The catcher whips the ball around the horn following a pop up out and asks for the ball, making his way to the mound. What are you doing here, Nuke asks, I’m cruising. Davis tells him to hit the Bulls’ mascot with the next ball, which he does, with seeming relish. As Crash and Nuke titter over their conspiracy, the batter is flustered. Crash warns him about digging in and the batter swings and misses at the next pitch, which comes right down the middle, to strike out.
Read that again. I didn’t leave anything out.
First pitch waaaay outside for ball one.
Next pitch, a swinging strike, resulting in a two-pitch “K.”
As a student of the cinema, I know they can’t show every pitch or play, but come on. Costner starred in three baseball films and seems to be a real fan; you think he would have objected to the error.
And while I’m ranting: one would assume this was a home game and the action started in the op of the first. Nuke strikes out one and gets another batter on a pop-out to first: two outs, inning over. So if we progress right to the bottom of the first, is Crash batting in the lead-off spot when he hits his called shot? A mid-30s catcher leading off? Not saying it couldn’t happen; just seems odd.
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Tags: Baseball Movies, Bull Durham
Categories : Because I can..., Commentary by Ron Kaplan, Movies