MISSING baseball?
We’ve got music, movies, TV shows, books and games to make you feel better.
Baseball has a long and storied history with the arts, from TV, theater and film to the visual arts and, of course, music. So, in honor of what would have been the start of Major League Baseball's season, we've come up with a list of cool baseball tunes as well as some books, movies, TV shows and games inspired by the Great American Pastime. When possible, we tried to stay away from the too-obvious choices.
Music
All of these tunes and accompanying video are available on YouTube and/or Vimeo. “VIDA BLUE,” ALBERT JONES (1971) » It's a funky, soulful ode to the Oakland A's young phenom from the early '70s, who helped the team win three consecutive World Series titles (1972-1974) and become a true dynasty without the help of electronic sign stealing. (Take that, Houston Astros!) Indiana soul man Jones recorded this song in 1971, Blue's remarkable first full season in the majors, when he went 24-8 on his way to collecting both MVP and Cy Young honors. BEST LYRIC » “All the kids and their parents too/Are rooting hard for Vida Blue / They've heard of Feller and Koufax and all the rest / But this kid from Oakland could be the best / That's Vida Blue.” “CATFISH,” BOB DYLAN (1991) » The master songwriter's connection to the Great American Pastime is well-established, as he famously embarked on several tours of minor league ballparks. He
reportedly crafted this ode to the Oakland A’s ace in the mid-’70s, yet it wouldn’t get released until the early ’90s. Of course, some (including, apparently, the person who made the video) seem to remember Jim “Catfish” Hunter best for playing for some other team (which shall remain nameless) a bit later in his career. Of course, the fashion-conscious know that all baseball players look better in white shoes than they do in pinstripes. And that definitely was true of Catfish. BEST LYRIC » “Even Billy Martin grins / When the Fish is in the game / Every season twenty wins / Gonna make the Hall of Fame.” “CHAVEZ RAVINE,” RY COODER (2005) » We’re cheating here a bit and recommending that you listen to all of the concept album “Chavez Ravine” (available for streaming on several platforms), which tells the story of the Los Angeles neighborhood that was torn down in the 1950s and eventually became the home of the West Coast’s greatest ballpark — Dodger Stadium. “Chavez Ravine” was nominated for a Grammy Award for best contemporary folk album in 2006, but the trophy went to John Prine’s terrific 15th studio effort, “Fair & Square.” BEST LYRIC » (From the song “3rd Base, Dodger Stadium”) “Second base, right over there. I see grandma in her rocking chair / Watching linens flapping in the breeze, and all the fellows choosing up their teams / Hand over hand on that Louisville. Crowning the top, king of the hill / Mound to home, sixty feet. Baseball been very good to me.” “NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE,” JEAN GRAE/NATURAL RESOURCE (1996) » If you’re not familiar with the South African-born, Brooklynraised rapper Jean Grae, we’re predicting that you’ll want to correct that situation as soon as possible after hearing her rock the mic on this cool song. Grae throws nothing but heat in this amazing examination of both baseball and the music business, which also features stellar work from her fellow artists in the hip-hop group Natural Resource. Grae, by the way, is the daughter of famed jazz artists Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim. She was born Tsidi Ibrahim, but took the stage name Jean Grae reportedly in reference to the XMen’s Jean Grey. And, yes, that only makes us like her more. BEST LYRIC » “But when loot is involved, all problems get solved / Umm, maybe because you supply they cocaine fetish / To finish this, this business ain’t nothin’ but corrupt / Forget all this garbage — I’d rather play tennis.” “THEY ARE THE OAKLAND A’S,” THE BASEBALL PROJECT (2014) » Fans of the greatest American rock band of all time — aka R.E.M. — certainly know about this baseball-themed supergroup, featuring two of the band’s founding members, Peter Buck and Mike Mills, as well as longtime sideman Scott McCaughey and the Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn. Basically any song from the band’s three-album catalog would fit this list, since they are all about baseball. But we’ll opt for one about the Green and Gold. (Note to Giants fans: Baseball Project also has some San Francisco-related tunes, such as “Panda and The Freak.) BEST LYRIC » “Beyond logic or all reason / They keep going to the postseason / Who are these guys? / They are the Oakland A’s.”
TV
“BROCKMIRE” (IFC) » Hank Azaria shines in this profanely hilarious comedy about a washed-up majorleague announcer struggling to attain personal redemption. The fourth and final season (currently airing) jumps ahead to 2030 with Jim Brockmire desperately trying to save a sport on the verge of extinction. But newbies should start at the beginning, when Azaria’s character hits rock bottom after a gloriously epic, booze-fueled meltdown while on the air. (Previous seasons available on Hulu and other streaming platforms) — Chuck Barney, Staff
Movies
We are going to pass over some very worthy efforts that most of you already know about (“Bull Durham,” “A League of Their Own,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Natural”) as well as overrated movies that you also probably know about (“Major League”) and mention a couple of lesserknown gems. “A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER” (2005) » Director Bart Stephens’ documentary is an inspiring and insightful look into the world of minor league baseball. It tracks four players from the Indianapolis Indians (the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A team) during the course of one season as they vie to make it to the major leagues. One of those players was the great infielder Marco Scutaro, who would go on to star for both the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants. (Available as DVD only, Amazon) — Jim Harrington, Staff “MONEYBALL” » Bennett Miller’s film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ brainy book about Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane and his unorthodox approach to player scouting isn’t perfect by any means. For one thing, it presents a vastly distorted account of the A’s playoff-clinching 2002 season. But it is a fun and rewarding look at the inner workings of a ball club and Brad Pitt as Beane displays the same kind of natural charisma that helped him win the Oscar last year for “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.” (Available on several platforms) — Randy McMullen, Staff Video games “MLB: THE SHOW 20” » The leading baseball simulation game returns with an improved gameplay engine and artificial intelligence. The game features the likeness of minor league players for the first time, and that helps improve the roleplaying game experience as players create their own ballplayers and live out the fantasy of making the big leagues. It’s probably the closest players will get to MLB baseball for a while. “SUPER MEGA BASEBALL” » This indie title has been around for a while. It doesn’t have the real players, but it does have some of the best game mechanics for those who just want to pick up and play the game. The third entry to the series is scheduled for release later this month. — Gieson Cacho, Staff
Books
“CHARLIE FINLEY: THE OUTRAGEOUS STORY OF BASEBALL’S SUPER SHOWMAN” » by G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius (2010) — The Bay Area has been blessed with plenty of eccentric sports personalities over the years, from Oakland Raiders boss Al Davis to San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson. Yet, few figures — in any sport, in any city — have been more controversial, colorful and downright successful than former Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley. This book paints a fascinating and fair portrait of the man who brought Major League Baseball to the East Bay, winning three World Championships in the early ’70s despite doing much to alienate both fans and players. (Available as hardcover and audiobook at Amazon) — Jim Harrington, Staff “DYNASTIC, BOMBASTIC, FANTASTIC: REGGIE, ROLLIE, CATFISH AND CHARLIE FINLEY’S SWINGIN’ A’S” » by Jason Turbow (2017) — Even fans who think they know everything there is to know about those unforgettable A’s teams of the early ’70s will uncover vivid new anecdotes and nuggets of information in Turbow’s rollicking ride through all the brawls, wild antics and offfield shenanigans that went down in Oakland. And Turbow did his legwork, seeking out several former A’s who look back, and reflect, on their glory days.