“You’re killing me Smalls!”

In honor of the amazing World Series ending last night, (Congrats Yankees…  I still hate you.)  I thought I would start a new feature on the blog.  A look back at the classic movies that I’ve loved for years.  Even people who don’t like movies have films on this list.  Lets say you’re flicking around the channels and you come across a beloved movie from your past.  You’re stopping to watch it.  You’ll even watch it on television with the commercial free DVD sitting on the shelf beside you.  You can’t resist.  It’s a classic.  Your classic.

The Yankees/Phillies series was pretty much outstanding and the entire time I’ve been looking for a few free hours to watch my favorite baseball movie. The Sandlot. (I haven’t found the time yet but it’s on my list nonetheless.)  I believe anyone who grew up surrounding themselves with sports has a soft spot for this movie.  Who wouldn’t?  If I sat down and made a list of my favorite sports movies of all time, it would be hard to find one to knock The Sandlot off the top spot.  That’s saying something because you could make a pretty strong list of JUST baseball movies.  Seriously, look at Hamilton ‘The Babe’ Porter over there.  (Other nicknames include the obvious Ham and Long Ball Porter.)  That kid still makes me laugh every time I see it.

“This is baseball, not tennis, gimme something to hit.”

Not to mention our old pal Squints.  I don’t know a soul on this planet brave enough to pull the moves on Wendy Peffercorn like that.  (Note:  I thought it was Peppercorn until a quick google search proved otherwise. Woops)  The entire cast was hilarious and the story is so simple it’s impossible not to relate.

A ball with Babe Ruth’s signature goes over the fence where a massive dog lives to terrorize the team.  I suppose it’s a little more complicated than that but it’s an amazing kids movie that still stands up today and I’m 26 years old.

You can easily walk into a circle of sports fans, quote this movie and be instantly accepted amongst them.  I know I pull out Squints’ “Fore-ver” from time to time.  I remember when this movie came out on DVD, I couldn’t find it anywhere so I ordered it from Amazon because I couldn’t wait anymore.  A few friends of mine found out and I actually had to order 3.  It probably would’ve been a lot more if more people found out I was ordering it.  Everyone around me loved The Sandlot.  When we were kids, I can’t remember a pick up game that ended without someone calling their shot, smoking a deep fly ball and screaming:

“Low and outside, just like I like it!”

That’s what makes these films classics.  Movies that stick with you “Fore-ver”.  It’s because of the quotes that etch their way into your brain.  The way you can watch them over and over again without fast-forwarding the ‘boring parts’.  The movies you watch on rainy Sunday afternoons spent in front of the television with a bowl of soup and a massive comforter.  Perfect days.

I called this new feature ‘Rainy Sundays’ for a reason.  Couldn’t find a more suitable name than that.