Greatest Sports Movies I grew to Love...
- bertisdave
- Dec 12, 2025
- 4 min read
🎬 Old Guy Sports: Our Favorite Sports Movies
(and a Quiz with Miss Amy!)
Sports and movies go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack. Some of the most iconic moments in film history happen on a ballfield, in a locker room, or in the middle of a gritty underdog story. For this week’s episode of Old Guy Sports, I sat down to share my favorite sports movies of all time — the ones I’ve actually watched, loved, and rewatched so many times the VHS tapes practically wore out. And, of course, Miss Amy joined me for some fun. (and kept me honest in between).
Yep, this time, we added a little extra fun: a sports movie quote quiz. Keep reading to see if you could beat our scores!
⚾ Baseball on the Big Screen
Baseball movies have always held a special place in my heart. They combine nostalgia, Americana, and a little bit of magic.
My top picks:
Pride of the Yankees – The Lou Gehrig story, complete with his famous farewell speech. A must-watch for any baseball fan.
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings – A fun, underrated gem about barnstorming Negro League players. It’s got comedy, heart, and history.
Honorable Mentions: Field of Dreams (because who doesn’t choke up when they hear, “Hey dad, you wanna have a catch?”) and Angels in the Outfield (Disney magic meets baseball magic).
🏈 Football Flicks
Football films have a way of inspiring us, even when the story gets rough around the edges.
Rudy – The ultimate underdog tale. A small kid with a big heart who never gave up on his dream of playing for Notre Dame.
North Dallas Forty – A gritty, satirical look at pro football life off the field. Way ahead of its time.
Honorable Mentions: The Freshman (from the early days of football storytelling) and Paper Lion, George Plimpton’s experiment of stepping onto the field himself.
🏀 Basketball Favorites
Two very different takes here:
Hoosiers – A small-town Indiana basketball team rising to glory. Gene Hackman at his best.
Space Jam – Come on… it’s Michael Jordan teaming up with Bugs Bunny. What’s not to love?
⛳ Golf Classics
Golf movies mix wisdom with humor.
The Legend of Bagger Vance – Will Smith as the mystical caddie, helping a golfer find his “authentic swing.”
Tin Cup – Kevin Costner as the lovable screw-up who can’t resist trying the impossible shot.
🏒 Hockey Mayhem
Slap Shot – Paul Newman, chaos, brawls, and the Hanson Brothers. A cult classic.
🎖️ Other Greats
Not every favorite fits neatly in one sport:
Victory – Soccer meets World War II.
Chariots of Fire – The ultimate running film.
Raging Bull – Scorsese and De Niro bring boxing to life like no one else could.
🎤 The Sports Movie Quote Quiz
Now for the fun part! Miss Amy and I put each other to the test with some of the most famous sports movie lines. She got 3½ right. I scored 4. (Yes, I’m claiming victory on this one!)
Here’s a taste of what we asked each other: see how you compare.
Miss Amy’s Questions:
“There’s no crying in baseball!”
“Sweep the leg.”
“You’re killin’ me, Smalls.”
“Yo Adrian, I did it!”
“Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.”
My Questions:
“Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.”
“I don’t train girls.”
“Win one for the Gipper.”
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”
“I believe God made me for a purpose - but he also made me fast.”
How many would you get correct ??? (If you're stumped, the answers are in the podcast)
🎬 Wrapping It Up
So, what would be my overall pick for my favorite sports movie. Of course…it’s “The Sandlot”.
The Sandlot is my favorite sports movie because it perfectly captures the pure joy of childhood, friendship, and baseball. It’s not about big leagues or championships — it’s about kids playing for the love of the game, long summer days, and the bond that forms over shared adventures. Every scene brings back memories of sandlot games, neighborhood rivalries, and that timeless feeling of freedom.
It reminds me why baseball captured my heart in the first place — before stats, contracts, or standings — when all that mattered was hitting one over the fence and playing until the streetlights came on.
At the end of the episode, I asked Miss Amy what her favorite sports movie was. True to form, she tried to sneak in Dirty Dancing. And honestly, I can’t argue too much — it is about competition, practice, and performance. And let’s face it: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” might be the most quoted line of any movie ever. Listen to the podcast to hear her actual pick.
👉 So, what’s your favorite sports movie of all time?
Drop it in the comments below — maybe you’ll inspire a future Old Guy Sports episode.
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