The Rookie

Director: John Lee Hancock (2002)

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Angus T.Jones, Brian Cox

The Rookie is simply one of the finest sports films ever made. Dennis Quaid is immaculate portraying the 39-year-old one prosing prospect and late starter Jim Morris who made it to the majors after many detours (marriage, coaching career, teacher). His former student athletes convince him to pursue his pitching again. You will want to watch this film several times.

Jim Morris was a former Texas pitching prospect whose career was cut short due arm injuries,sohe went back to college and became a high school chemistry teacher and  coach of the school's baseball team. and as a way of motivating his players, he agrees to go to a professional try-out if they win the championship.Well, the 39 year-old father of three finds himself at a camp for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and he somehow seems to have regained his pitching arm, easily throwing a 98 mph fastball. Signed to a contract, he toils in the minor leagues while his supportive wife stays home raising their children. He soon finds himself called up to the big club and pitching for Tampa which is in Texas playing the Rangers. Everyone in his small Texas town gets Arlington to see their favorite son play in his first Major League game.

Fun Facts: Actor Dennis Quade, who played Morris in the film, trained with Morris and former Dodger relief pitcher,Jim Gott, at Dodger Stadium during  the winter of 2000.

The Dodgers invited Morris to spring training in 2001. After working with the team for a few days, he decided to retire as a player and started his current career as a motivational speaker.

"The Rookie" was the first film produced by Mark Ciardi,Gordon Grey and Mark Johnson Their next production was the wildly successful film "Miracle."