4. For Love Of The Game
The strongest of the Costner trifecta. It beat out "Field of Dreams" and "Tin Cup" to make the list. This movie is one of my favourite Kevin Costner movies of all time and would probably be higher up on that "Favorite Sports Movies" list we discussed earlier. What is not to love about this story? A legendary pitcher on his way out. The sudden and abrupt realization that he is being forced out of the game that he loves. The sudden realization that while also losing this game that he loves he is also losing the girl that he loves, and it has a great deal to do with the love that he has had for the game throughout his career. That legendary pitcher throwing a no hitter in his last game ever played. And to top it all off he gets the girl at the end. We watch as a man comes to realize that in this very moment it is time for him to end his love with the game which has lasted twenty plus years of his life and devote that same love to the girl he had been neglecting all along. It is now time for Billy Chapel to hang up the cleats and grow up. Heart strings are definitely tugged at in this one. The lesson to be learned in this one is to not take people for granted. Especially those that are your support system. Do not let your love of the game destroy your love outside of the game. This is a valuable notion for us all to remember in all walks of life. We don't have to be pro athletes to be reminded that in the blink of an eye those that we hold dearest in our hearts can be taken away from us. This is the movie that taught me that I need that girl as my number one fan or else there is no love in the game.