The Scout (1994)

The story of a baseball scout who discovers a talented but troubled baseball player.

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writers:

Roger Angell (article), Andrew Bergman (screenplay)

Stars:

Albert Brooks, Brendan Fraser, Dianne Wiest

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Brooks	...	Al Percolo
Brendan Fraser	...	Steve Nebraska
Dianne Wiest	...	Doctor H. Aaron
Anne Twomey	...	Jennifer
Lane Smith	...	Ron Wilson
Michael Rapaport	...	Tommy Lacy
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	McDermott
John Capodice	...	Caruso
Art Garfield	...	Stan (as Garfield!)
Louis Giovannetti	...	World Series Catcher
Stephen Demek	...	Yankee Catcher
Ralph Drischell	...	Charlie
Brett Rickaby	...	George's Assistant
Jack Rader	...	Mr. Lacy
Marcia Rodd	...	Mrs. Lacy

Storyline

Al Percolo is a major league baseball scout sent to scout in Mexico as a punishment. However, he eventually stumbles across Steve Nebraska, a young American who can pitch AND hit better than anyone else can do either. He signs Steve and returns home in glory. It soon becomes obvious, though, that Steve is immature and possibly unstable, and Al turns to psychiatrist Doctor H. Aaron, whom he picks for her name, for help.

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Plot Keywords:

vomiting | major league baseball | airport | new york city | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

If you pray hard enough for a miracle... miracles can really happen!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a moment of strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steve Nebraska's character is loosely based on a pitcher named Steve Dalkowski. But, unfortunately he never made it to the major leagues.

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Goofs

In the film, pitcher Brendan Fraser bats in game 1 of the World Series. In the World Series, if the American League team is home they are allowed to select a designated hitter. Although teams almost always use this option, they are not required to do so and may allow the pitcher to hit.

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Quotes

Tommy Lacy: God said people make mistakes.
Al Percolo: God never said people make mistakes; where did you hear that shit? He said honor thy mother, and thy father, and thy Yankee contract!

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Connections

Referenced in Fresh Off the Boat: Persistent Romeo (2015)

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Soundtracks

I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Written by Douglass Cross and George Cory

User Reviews

Could have been something, but unfortunately wasn't

Considering that this film had the screenwriting and acting talent of Albert Brooks, one of the funnier writers in the industry, and the acting of Brendan Fraser (don't laugh, I actually think he's a pretty good actor), it was very disappointing to see it fizzle the way it did. It starts off great, with Brooks being banished to Mexico, and the Fraser character is amusing for a little while. Unfortunately, we get bogged down in the emotional trauma of Fraser's eccentric ballplayer, when we should be enjoying the silly antics we all came to see. Let's face it, the Fraser character should have been a wacky, yet lovable idiot, but instead is a whining, depressed, troubled person. This really doesn't work, since the story would easily have lent itself to a comedy, and Brooks still seems to think he's acting in one. I don't really know where this went wrong, I have a feeling that there were some conflicting ideas on the writing end, but this movie is best left on the shelf. If you want a great Albert Brooks film, see Defending Your Life.

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Scout

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,458,837, 2 October 1994

Gross USA:

$2,694,234

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,694,234

Company Credits

Production Co:

Santo Domingo Film & Music Video, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1