The Rookie (2002/I)

Director:

John Lee Hancock

Writer (WGA):

Mike Rich (written by)

Release Date:

29 March 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Sport

Tagline:

It's never too late to believe in your dreams.

Plot:

A Texas baseball coach makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs.

Plot Keywords:

Coach | High School | Texas | Baseball | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Dennis Quaid	...	Jimmy Morris
Rachel Griffiths	...	Lorri Morris
Jay Hernandez	...	Joaquin 'Wack' Campos
Beth Grant	...	Olline
Angus T. Jones	...	Hunter Morris
Brian Cox	...	Jim Morris Sr.
Rick Gonzalez	...	Rudy Bonilla
Chad Lindberg	...	Joe David West
Angelo Spizzirri	...	Joel De La Garza
Royce D. Applegate	...	Henry
Russell Richardson	...	Brooks
Raynor Scheine	...	Frank
David Blackwell	...	Cal
Blue Deckert	...	Baseball Scout Dave Patterson
Danny Kamin	...	Durham Manager Mac (as Daniel Kamin)

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | New Zealand:G | Sweden:Btl | Canada:F (Ontario) (original rating) | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:G (Ontario) (video rating: 2004) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | UK:U | USA:G (certificate #38665)

Filming Locations:

Austin Studios - 1901 E. 51st Street, Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

98 MPH Productions

Trivia:

Cameo: [Jim Morris]In the district championship game, with the Owls down 2-1, "Wacko" Campos is up to bat, and sends an extra-base hit to right field that scores the tying run, even when third-base coach Jimmy Morris tries to hold the runner. There are two shots during that scene where you can see the real-life Jim Morris and his wife Lorri (both wearing sunglasses) rooting the team from behind the backstop. He's sporting his trademark mustache and is wearing a gray t-shirt.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jimmy is trying out for the first time the angle and length of the shadows change throughout the many shots and at times there are no shadows at all.

Quotes:

Jimmy: Do you know how many guys can throw a ball 98 miles an hour?
Lorri: [shrugs] Not many?
Jimmy: You can count them with one hand.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Getaway: (#17.5)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Baby I Ain't Gotta Do That No More

Follow that dream.

Wholesome determination makes for a film for the entire family to watch. A former minor league pitcher Jimmy Morris(Dennis Quaid)turns to teaching and coaching in Big Lake, Texas and bargains with his formerly hapless high school players that if they go to the state championships he will try out for the big leagues again. In 1999, Morris becomes the "Oldest Rookie" when he lands a job with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a 98 mph throwing lefty from the bullpen. Morris' dream is short, but sweet. And his story seems to have spawned from a Hollywood script. Although this is based on fact the movie could have been much better if filmed with a more "mature" approach. My favorite scene is where Morris is at the tryouts camp and he wipes his nose holding a soiled diaper. Also in the cast are Rachel Griffiths, Rick Gonzales, Russell Richardson and Blue Deckert.