Review of The Rookie

The Rookie (2002)
10/10
You are never too old to chase your dreams
5 February 2004
One of the best films I have ever seen! An inspirational true story of a man who gave up his dream of making the "Big Leagues" many years ago due to a severe shoulder injury who coached his high school team and was also teaching science. His shoulder had healed over the years and he was able to throw batting practice without pain and his team was amazed at how hard he could throw. They made a deal with him that if they won their conference and went to State, he would have to pursue his dream (long ago given up) by going to a major league tryout. He thought this was a safe bet, since the team had started the season off on a losing note. The team got hot, won the conference and he reluctantly followed thru on his end of the bet. The amazing fact was how much harder he was able to throw now, as compared with how he threw many years ago. The movie left out the fact that when his shoulder was operated on many years earlier, a large bone spur was removed and he no longer had shoulder pain (although he had already retired from baseball) The movie made his new founded ability to throw 98 miles per hour (he could only throw 85 in his prime) seem miraculous in nature. Even though it is remarkable, the real Jimmy Morris was a muscular athlete who probably was limited by this large bone spur in his shoulder that wasn't removed till after he retired. Other than that, the movie follows his true life quite accurately and Dennis Quaid was excellent playing Jimmy Morris. The fact that he was the oldest major league rookie since Satchel Paige makes for an interesting story and it is truly a remarkable, uplifing movie.---definitely 4 stars out of 4 in my opinion
4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed