For Love of the Game (1999)

A washed up pitcher flashes through his career.

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers:

Michael Shaara (novel), Dana Stevens (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Billy Chapel
Kelly Preston	...	Jane Aubrey
John C. Reilly	...	Gus Sinski
Jena Malone	...	Heather Aubrey
Brian Cox	...	Gary Wheeler
Addie Daddio	...	Waitress
J.K. Simmons	...	Frank Perry (as JK Simmons)
Vin Scully	...	Himself
Steve Lyons	...	Himself
Carmine Giovinazzo	...	Ken Strout (as Carmine D. Giovinazzo)
Bill E. Rogers	...	Davis Birch (as Bill Rogers)
Hugh Ross	...	Mike Udall
Domenick Lombardozzi	...	Tow Truck Driver
Arnetia Walker	...	Airport Bartender
Larry Joshua	...	Yankee Fan in Bar

Storyline

A baseball legend almost finished with his distinguished career at the age of forty has one last chance to prove who he is, what he is capable of, and win the heart of the woman he has loved for the past four years.

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | pitcher | detroit tigers | girlfriend | baseball movie | 

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Taglines:

Billy Chapel must choose between the woman he loves and the game he lives for.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

For the Love of the Game

Filming Locations:

Aspen, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$13,041,685 (USA) (17 September 1999)

Gross:

$35,168,395 (USA) (26 November 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Beacon Pictures, Tig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the game, the last Yankee uniform to go into the dugout has the number 61 on the back - an important number in NY history (Roger Maris' record in 1961).

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Goofs

When Mickey Hart saves the would-be Davis Birch home run in the 8th inning, the initial close-up shot sees the hands of fans vying for the ball, but when shown from distance Hart makes the catch on a part of the wall that is nowhere near any spectators.

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Quotes

Gus Sinski: The boys are all here for ya, we'll back you up, we'll be there, cause, Billy, we don't stink right now. We're the best team in baseball, right now, right this minute, because of you. You're the reason. We're not gonna screw that up, we're gonna be awesome for you right now. Just throw.

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Connections

Featured in Stuart Little 2 (2002)

User Reviews

This Film Is About Life

This film is much more than a beautiful film about baseball. It's about life....about the continuity of life... about moving on... about taking stock of who you are, and who you are going to be. Billy Chapel stands there, quietly, introspectively, doing what he has always done, what he wants to always do, but knowing at the same time, through his reflections and his actions, that things change nevertheless. At the crux of the pennant game for the Yankees, this Detroit pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound, knowing, seeing, the flow of life. His team sold, knowing his days for the Tigers are over, that his catcher will likely not be there again, that his great love is leaving, that her daughter has grown, his friend playing now for the Yankees, even the last pitcher he faces - who began as a Tiger bat boy for the team his father played for, the Tigers - a boy whom the announcers say has no idea of what this moment is, although he does, his team owner watching the last great game of summer... deciding... about the rest of his life. Through his comments, his thoughts, and his reflections, he evaluates not only where he is going, but who he is and what he will be. And at the precipice of the rest of his life, a perfect game in the balance, he finds it... what his life means. This film never fails to make me cry.