Movies I'd Make

[Sin Duda]

Maybe it's because I see so many trades being proposed that are never going to happen, or maybe it's because my son, the film major, was home for a couple weeks at Christmas; so when I read the Billy Wagner story in The Athletic, I thought, "that should be made into a movie!" Wagner, a short term Red Sox RP in 2009, and this year on the Hall of Fame ballot for the 9th time, has already won at life. The immortal Peter Gammons declared him to be the Cape League All-Star Game MVP way back in the day. But his story is of a true underdog, overcoming poverty, a rough home life, and physical impediments to become one of the best closers of his generation.

"Wagner was born to a 16-year-old mother and a 19-year-old father who was about to be shipped to Vietnam. The couple separated when he was 5. He was loved, but was somewhat in the way. Often he was hungry.

“Everybody was supportive, they just didn’t have the means to really provide,” Wagner said. “My dad had gotten remarried, my mom had gotten remarried, and I was the odd man out. I was passed around the grandparents, aunts and uncles and pretty much had to grow up a lot sooner than most."

What movie needs to be made of a former Red Sox player or team, or even a larger baseball story? I'd watch a Daniel Nava made-for-TV movie.

And as bonus, what are your favorite two or three baseball movies? Mine are The Rookie, because my kids and i loved watching it together (many times), Field of Dreams because of how well the story was crafted, and Major League because of how funny I thought it was.

p.s. If anyone has opportunities or insights for my son to find a summer film internship, please PM me. As an Engineering manager, my contacts are few and far between in film.

 

[DavidTai]

Rolling the Dice-K: An Insincere Documentary About the Gyroball

 

[reggiecleveland]

Obviously Reggie Cleveland.
A shy kid from Swift Current Saskatchewan who goes on to lead the Red Sox to the world series where the Red Sox beat the Reds. A Tarantino alternate history where Reggie machine guns Pete Rose when he offer Reggie money to throw the series.

 

[Leskanic's Thread]

There still hasn't been a perfect (or even close to perfect) documentary about 2004. Maybe this is the year it comes out.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

There still hasn't been a perfect (or even close to perfect) documentary about 2004. Maybe this is the year it comes out.

Unfortunately, the "perfect" documentary would have to include Schilling, which IMO, would make it flawed.

 

[mwonow]

Obviously Reggie Cleveland.
A shy kid from Swift Current Saskatchewan who goes on to lead the Red Sox to the world series where the Red Sox beat the Reds. A Tarantino alternate history where Reggie machine guns Pete Rose when he offer Reggie money to throw the series.

Long before Boston teams began to win every title available, I wrote an alternate history of that series. Well, not so alternate, it was accurate to every detail one could glean from photocopies of microfilm articles, but in my version, Denny Doyle doesn't throw away the back end of a double play in the Game 7 6th, and the Sox win 3-2.

In other rewritings, Yaz ends the 78 playoff game with liner of the wall, Lafleur's slapshot hits the post rather than twine, Hagler only spends half a round rather than two in an orthodox stance....

God, I've enjoyed the last 20-odd years!

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

Wade Boggs's 107 Beer Flight

The Ryan Westmoreland story would make for a good made-for-TV movie.

 

[GreenMonsterVsGodzilla]

p.s. If anyone has opportunities or insights for my son to find a summer film internship, please PM me. As an Engineering manager, my contacts are few and far between in film.

I’ve got nothing in the feature world, but if he’s interested in documentaries, I could help there.

 

[Archer1979]

I've always thought Ted Williams and his career, both baseball and military, would have made a great film... but that would have been more marketable in the 50's. By the time his baseball career ended, the timing for a movie like that had long since passed.

 

[TimScribble]

Trouble with the Knuckleball. A story about the Doug Mirabelli trade and subsequent escort to Fenway Park.

 

[CR67dream]

The Terry Francona Story.

Son of a ML player that grows up around the game, was very good at the game, and has his own promising career derailed by injuries but finds his ultimate glory by bringing his leadership skills to Boston, and is a central part of putting the end to 86 years of suffering for a completely deflated fan base.

I just might watch that.

 

[Humphrey]

Long before Boston teams began to win every title available, I wrote an alternate history of that series. Well, not so alternate, it was accurate to every detail one could glean from photocopies of microfilm articles, but in my version, Denny Doyle doesn't throw away the back end of a double play in the Game 7 6th, and the Sox win 3-2.

In other rewritings, Yaz ends the 78 playoff game with liner of the wall, Lafleur's slapshot hits the post rather than twine, Hagler only spends half a round rather than two in an orthodox stance....

God, I've enjoyed the last 20-odd years!

My alternative has Remy's base hit one more foot to the right field side of Piniella.

 

[Bergs]

Long before Boston teams began to win every title available, I wrote an alternate history of that series. Well, not so alternate, it was accurate to every detail one could glean from photocopies of microfilm articles, but in my version, Denny Doyle doesn't throw away the back end of a double play in the Game 7 6th, and the Sox win 3-2.

In other rewritings, Yaz ends the 78 playoff game with liner of the wall, Lafleur's slapshot hits the post rather than twine, Hagler only spends half a round rather than two in an orthodox stance....

God, I've enjoyed the last 20-odd years!

I honestly don't know how much different my life would be if this had happened. That was an early defining moment for me.

 

[Farty Barrett]

Bird
The Mark Fidrych Story

I have the outline and would love to tell his story.

I’d imagine any actor over 6 feet tall would want the role of an eccentric MLB pitcher who was loved by his home team crowd as well as any opponent crowd. Could be fun to play such a humble lead.

I like Timothy Simons, a Maine Native. Would love to see Tim Robinson, a proud Detroit guy, is far too short. But he makes me laugh and probably could make it funny and profound if involved. Sam Richardson as well.

The story could be very funny because of the antics, and obviously quite tragic and touching. But I see it as a real feel good story that’s more about being a hard worker, a good neighbor and family man.

Also, would love to see his widow and daughter make some money. They suffered a lot after his passing.

 

[santadevil]

I want the Dustin Pedroia story made into a TV movie

 

[santadevil]

The Terry Francona Story.

Son of a ML player that grows up around the game, was very good at the game, and has his own promising career derailed by injuries but finds his ultimate glory by bringing his leadership skills to Boston, and is a central part of putting the end to 86 years of suffering for a completely deflated fan base.

I just might watch that.

We kind of got this from MLB Network. Just not as a movie format
https://www.mlb.com/news/tito-the-terry-francona-story-documentary-on-mlb-network

 

[CR67dream]

We kind of got this from MLB Network. Just not as a movie format
https://www.mlb.com/news/tito-the-terry-francona-story-documentary-on-mlb-network

Wow, I missed that, right to the top of the list, thanks!

I'd still love to see what Hollywood could do with it, though.

 

[Paveskovich's Pole]

A documentary about Dennis Boyd submitted to the Can's Film Festival *.
(* Edit; Stolen from Shaughnessy who allegedly self-plagiarized himself. Originally from Chuck Waseleski commenting on Oil Can's pornos.)

 

[CR67dream]

Bird
The Mark Fidrych Story

I have the outline and would love to tell his story.

I’d imagine any actor over 6 feet tall would want the role of an eccentric MLB pitcher who was loved by his home team crowd as well as any opponent crowd. Could be fun to play such a humble lead.

I like Timothy Simons, a Maine Native. Would love to see Tim Robinson, a proud Detroit guy, is far too short. But he makes me laugh and probably could make it funny and profound if involved. Sam Richardson as well.

The story could be very funny because of the antics, and obviously quite tragic and touching. But I see it as a real feel good story that’s more about being a hard worker, a good neighbor and family man.

Also, would love to see his widow and daughter make some money. They suffered a lot after his passing.

I had the absolute privilege of meeting the Bird a couple of times, and would love to see his story told. 30 + years ago I worked as the chef on a yacht owned by Brian McLaughlin, founder of D'Angelos. He was also the president of the Genesis Fund, and just about every sports figure from Boston (or Boston adjacent) in that era was on board at one point or another. No exaggeration, he was by far the most genuine, generous, and gracious of anyone of that stature that I met. Not even close. What a wonderful guy, and man what a character. And a man of character.

I'm ready to put my Francona project on hold and throw all my resources this way....

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

The 2004 team story, but as a Pixar cartoon.

You would have to leave out Johnny Damon’s naked pullups, and Mark Bellhorn’s refrigerator contents. And #38.

But Dougie going deep, and Pedro and Papi and Manny and a baby Youkilis (I know, he was a 25 year old rookie, but for the movie make him 16), and Varitek trying to corral these guys while Arroyo just wants to play his guitar and Foulke just keeps saying “Oh Bother” could do well with the younger generation.

 

[mwonow]

I honestly don't know how much different my life would be if this had happened. That was an early defining moment for me.

Ditto - made (much) worse by being in the park when it happened, three rows behind a young woman in a Yankees jersey who enjoyed the ending much more than I did.

Edit - I just saw that the Globe is pumping a Chad Flynn article with the header, "The Bill Belichick Era ends on a queasy note, but we're grateful that we had it." Gee, ya think?

 

[BrandyWhine]

My favorite baseball movie is "Bang the drum slowly." It covers the entire baseball year and shows the owners, managers, coaches, and players over that span.
More importantly it shows the craziness, cruelty, and ultimately the caring that goes on behind the scenes.

Baseball movie I'd like to see? "Pedro and Ramon - the story of two brothers."

Final note: If there ever is a "Can's Film Festival" what would it be rated? Could we bring our (non adult) children to it?

 

[Mooch]

I still can't believe there hasn't been a biopic about Rube Waddell. Probably the most interesting player in baseball history.

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

I don't think there's any way you could get the rights, so it might have to be a "Playmakers" style fictionalization, but what about an 8, 10, or 12 episode limited series loosely based on '04? First episode is mostly in the present (2004) day, but then subsequent episodes focus primarily around one player/manager/owner (?), with flashbacks (Pedro under the mango tree, Wake washing out as a hitter/fielder, learning the knuckler) and flashforwards (Ortiz stabbing, Damon's alcoholism, Schilling's descent into madness).

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

You could make a really interesting movie on the ripple effect of Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS. Dave Henderson, Gene Mauch, Donnie Moore, Tony Armas getting hurt, Gary Lucas plunking Rich Gedman, Mike Witt doing his best Roger Clemens impression from 8.1 innings, John MacNamara.

 

[54thMA]

I want the Dustin Pedroia story made into a TV movie

Or a mini series.

 

[Sin Duda]

I start this new thread after midnight and come back this morning to see post after post of creative, hilarious, inventive replies. You're amazing! Anybody have a line to Tom Warner? We've got to get these made for NESN at least!

 

[Sin Duda]

Or a mini series.

Spit-my-morning-tea-out funny!!

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Bird
The Mark Fidrych Story

I have the outline and would love to tell his story.

I’d imagine any actor over 6 feet tall would want the role of an eccentric MLB pitcher who was loved by his home team crowd as well as any opponent crowd. Could be fun to play such a humble lead.

I like Timothy Simons, a Maine Native. Would love to see Tim Robinson, a proud Detroit guy, is far too short. But he makes me laugh and probably could make it funny and profound if involved. Sam Richardson as well.

The story could be very funny because of the antics, and obviously quite tragic and touching. But I see it as a real feel good story that’s more about being a hard worker, a good neighbor and family man.

Also, would love to see his widow and daughter make some money. They suffered a lot after his passing.

Great idea! Fidrych was only 22 when he had his magical season so the lead would have to be a young gangly looking guy. Find a charismatic Napoleon Dynamite looking guy who can do a Western Mass accent.

Tim Robinson is 42, so it'd be tough to cast him as a player. Maybe 33-year-old Mickey Stanley, who Fidrych said was a good friend? Or age him with a little makeup to play manager Ralph Houk. He'd be great at playing a crusty old baseball manager who gets mad a lot. Or maybe he would be good in a bit part as one of the announcers going wild in the nationally televised game that made the Bird a star.

Not sure about a role for Sam Richardson. Maybe as Willie Horton? He gave a eulogy at Fidrych's funeral.

Good retrospective on Fidrych:
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/06/27/detroit-tigers-mark-bird-fidrych/86420334/

I still can't believe there hasn't been a biopic about Rube Waddell. Probably the most interesting player in baseball history.

Agreed, that could be a great movie about a great player with a crazy unbelievable story, and also about how different America and Americans were in that era compared to today. But they would have to get the story and casting and tone just right, and that would be tricky.

 

[RS2004foreever]

Its arguably been done, but Steve Dalkowski.
Bang the Drum came after Brian's Song IIRC (which quite simply the best sports movie ever made - and it was TV movie).

 

[LeoCarrillo]

The 2004 team story, but as a Pixar cartoon.

You would have to leave out Johnny Damon’s naked pullups, and Mark Bellhorn’s refrigerator contents. And #38.

But Dougie going deep, and Pedro and Papi and Manny and a baby Youkilis (I know, he was a 25 year old rookie, but for the movie make him 16), and Varitek trying to corral these guys while Arroyo just wants to play his guitar and Foulke just keeps saying “Oh Bother” could do well with the younger generation.

Pretty sure Nelson already was made by Pixar.

 

[curly2]

My alternative has Remy's base hit one more foot to the right field side of Piniella.

Of all the painful losses, 1978 was the worst, and this is the play that haunts me. Even if Piniella knocks it down instead of fielding it cleanly, Burleson goes to third and Rice's fly ball ties it.

 

[CR67dream]

Of all the painful losses, 1978 was the worst, and this is the play that haunts me. Even if Piniella knocks it down instead of fielding it cleanly, Burleson goes to third and Rice's fly ball ties it.

Too soon.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I start this new thread after midnight and come back this morning to see post after post of creative, hilarious, inventive replies. You're amazing! Anybody have a line to Tom Warner? We've got to get these made for NESN at least!

He's already gotten the rights to half of these

 

[curly2]

Too soon.

True. My bad.

 

[RIFan]

The Curious Case of Sidd Finch. How that never made its way to the movies will always be a mystery.

 

[Bozo Texino]

Not a Red Sox story, but I would love to see a Rube Waddell biopic. Dunno if he's a lefty, but Bill Hader resembles him a bit.

He was a fascinating person. But making a film about his life would be a pretty tough needle to thread.

 

[Farty Barrett]

I had the absolute privilege of meeting the Bird a couple of times, and would love to see his story told. 30 + years ago I worked as the chef on a yacht owned by Brian McLaughlin, founder of D'Angelos. He was also the president of the Genesis Fund, and just about every sports figure from Boston (or Boston adjacent) in that era was on board at one point or another. No exaggeration, he was by far the most genuine, generous, and gracious of anyone of that stature that I met. Not even close. What a wonderful guy, and man what a character. And a man of character.

I'm ready to put my Francona project on hold and throw all my resources this way....

Thanks for sharing that!! I truly love hearing it over and over how wonderful he was.

I wrote screenplays and treatments for 10 years with nothing to show for it. So I gave up and started working for the RI government!
But boy would I love to make this.

Gray Eagle
Very good points about age. Shows you how long I have sat on the idea! Tim and Sam are geniuses imo, and I think they’d make it amazing.

 

[Late Yclept Chanticleer]

Wade Boggs's 107 Beer Flight

Not a movie, but that mythical flight was the inspiration for two episodes of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

 

[FlexFlexerson]

The Erotic Baseball Adventures of Dick Pole

 

[E5 Yaz]

I asked Punchado once why no one had done a story about Tony C. It has all the elements.
It could start with him in Billy in the car before he has the stroke and, after they get to the hospital, we flashback to them as kids growing up, loving the Red Sox. Tony becomes a fast-rising star, hits a ton of boimbs, sings on the Merv Giffin Show, dates Mamie Van Doren ... then the Jack Hamilton fastball, which leads to the comeback sequences, even trying to pitch at one point, until his triumphant return, a couple of fine seasons, before the trade to the Angels.
Back in the present, Billy is seentalking to Tony about what happens next. The trade to the Angels, one last shot with the Sox, and then retirement.
"We've been the worst of it, brother," Billy says.
CUT to Fenway Park, as Abbott and Costello ruin Tony C Night.
What's not to love?

 

[simplicio]

These all sound like respectable sports movies I'd probably never watch.

Give me a gonzo version of 2013, tethered to fact or even reality in general in only the loosest sense, directed by Terry Gilliam.

 

[Coachster]

Ken Jeong as Wendell Kim in... 'Sending Him Home', the story of a pretty good baseball guy who develops early onset Alzheimers.

Screenwriter could work off this: https://stlsportspage.com/2018/11/09/whatever-happened-to-wendell-kim-the-sad-story/

 

[LeoCarrillo]

I asked Punchado once why no one had done a story about Tony C. It has all the elements.
It could start with him in Billy in the car before he has the stroke and, after they get to the hospital, we flashback to them as kids growing up, loving the Red Sox. Tony becomes a fast-rising star, hits a ton of boimbs, sings on the Merv Giffin Show, dates Mamie Van Doren ... then the Jack Hamilton fastball, which leads to the comeback sequences, even trying to pitch at one point, until his triumphant return, a couple of fine seasons, before the trade to the Angels.
Back in the present, Billy is seentalking to Tony about what happens next. The trade to the Angels, one last shot with the Sox, and then retirement.
"We've been the worst of it, brother," Billy says.
CUT to Fenway Park, as Abbott and Costello ruin Tony C Night.
What's not to love?

Hollywood historically has made surprisingly few baseball movies because they don’t do well in Europe.

 

[rockchalkredsox]

Not a movie, but I'm still waiting for Michael Schur to have a sports talk radio series in the vein of Fire Joe Morgan. I don't even care who they cast, I'd eagerly await a new episode like I was refreshing FJM every 10 mins 15 years ago. Apparently he had a Field of Dreams series in pre-production with Kristen Bell, Nick Offerman, and Andre Braugher (RIP) but it was canned by NBC. Even built a field in Iowa for filming. That entire experience would be a great meta kickoff point for the sports talk radio series.

 

[Humphrey]

How about a horror movie entitled "Bagwell for Anderson". Not sure who Lou Gorman would be played by, but I think JB Smoove would make a good Wille McGee.

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

I'm thinking more Netflix show but... Hanging with Scott Cooper.

 

[Toe Nash]

I'd like a thoughtful director to tell the story of a Black kid who was born and raised in Roxbury in the mid-70s and loved baseball. So, maybe he gets into the team because of Jim Rice, his first experiences at Fenway are pretty despicable, he's in his early 20s when the media goes after Mo Vaughn, but then things improve as the team moves into the 90s, and has Pedro and Papi etc. Then he reads the Jon Heyman tweet about not seeing a black fan. His friends wonder why he keeps paying attention and trying to go to games but he just loves the game and can't imagine liking a different team.

Try to be honest and get across that race relations in the city and with the team have improved greatly but are far from perfect. Could be an allegory, heavy-handed or subtle, about Roxbury / Black Boston going through changes as well.

 

[sezwho]

The Curious Case of Sidd Finch. How that never made its way to the movies will always be a mystery.

I would watch this.

I'd like a thoughtful director to tell the story of a Black kid who was born and raised in Roxbury in the mid-70s and loved baseball. So, maybe he gets into the team because of Jim Rice, his first experiences at Fenway are pretty despicable, he's in his early 20s when the media goes after Mo Vaughn, but then things improve as the team moves into the 90s, and has Pedro and Papi etc. Then he reads the Jon Heyman tweet about not seeing a black fan. His friends wonder why he keeps paying attention and trying to go to games but he just loves the game and can't imagine liking a different team.

Try to be honest and get across that race relations in the city and with the team have improved greatly but are far from perfect. Could be an allegory, heavy-handed or subtle, about Roxbury / Black Boston going through changes as well.

and this too if you could really pull it off

 

[YTF]

Fun thread. Would it be better to have it in P&G? Just asking as every time it's bump my eye sees "Moves I'd Make".