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

According to the Fox Sports graphic displayed at the beginning of the game, Billy Chapel's stats for the year (coming into the game) are as follows: 8 Wins, 11 Losses, 30 Games Played, 30 Games Started, 2 Complete Games, 1 Shutout (Meaning in one other game he pitched a full 9 Innings without allowing an opposing run), 211 Innings Pitched, 98 Walks Allowed, and 111 Strike Outs.

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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

Jane Aubrey: So, when you're away, I'll live my life and you'll live yours. And none of this stupid bullshit "why didn't you call me?" crap. And "what you do when you're not with me has nothing to do with me" and vice versa. No questions asked, no worrying, no obsessing.
Billy Chapel: That sounded perfect.

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Connections

Referenced in The Comebacks (2007)

User Reviews

Few movies leave me breathless. Fewer still leave me speechless.

This was one of those rare events where you find yourself clicking through channels and luck upon the beginning of a movie so engrossing that the world completely stops until the credits roll. This is Costner's greatest performance, with a depth of emotion that we've never seen before.

This is much more than a baseball film. It's a love story about love and baseball, and life and facing the future when you finally "grow up." It's about the choices behind us and the chances ahead.