After months of delay, Opening Day is finally here for Major League Baseball and I, for one, can not be more excited that a real sport is finally being played again. Yea, I said it. So to honor this occasion, I have picked my All-Star lineup of fictional characters from baseball movies. That means no Babe Ruth or Ken Griffey Jr.’s in this lineup. It is only made up of characters that are completely fictional. Some may be based on real-life players though.
I constructed what I feel is the best lineup for me to win, trying to utilize each of the player’s talents where they best fit. Let me know what you think and what your line up would look like down in the comments. Play ball!!!
1. Center Field
Willie Mays Hays (Wesley Snipes/Omar Epps) | Major League (1989) and Major League II (1994)
Greased lightning speed is what I need at the top of my line up to get things going and that’s what Willie Mays Hays gives you. You can’t coach speed and it rarely goes through slumps. To be able to get your lead off on base with the ability to get into scoring position in a pitch or two is a huge way to start of a game. Plus, he has a good glove which helps locked down gap shots to reduce extra bases.
2. Second Base
Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh) | A League of Their Own (1992)
What a hitter! For me, my number two just needs to be one of my best contact hitters. Putting the ball in play in any situation is key to move the leadoff one base and if they get a hit, that’s a run scored right away. Marla is a perfect two-hole hitter because of her ability to make contact consistently and for being a switch hitter.
3. Right Field
Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) | The Natural (1984)
I have always been a fan of having my best hitter in the three spot. That player that can hit for average, has some power and be clutch. In the fictional world, Roy Hobbs was one of the best pure baseball players in history. He was a movie version of Mickey Mantle and I couldn’t think of anyone else I would want batting third in my line up.
4. Catcher
Leon Carter (James Earl Jones) | The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
Several of the characters from The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings were based on real players from the Negro League during the racial segregation era. Leon Carter was based on the real player of Josh Gibson and if you knew anything about Gibson, you would want him as your cleanup hitter. Carter hit towering home runs that still haven’t landed. Make a mistake to old Leon and he is going to hit a Moon shot that will make the crowd go crazy.
5. Designated Hitter
Clu Haywood (Peter Vuckovich) | Major League (1989)
Just in case the other team tries to get cute, I need someone to make them pay and think twice about intentionally walking Leon. Enter the man who led the league in every major offensive category including nose hairs. Clu Haywood is a nightmare for opposing pitchers being able to hit for average and for power with the ability to spit tobacco like a true champ.
6. Left Field
Rex “T-Rex” Pennebaker (Brian White) | Mr. 3000 (2004)
The bases should be clear by the time the sixth hitter comes up and if so I need someone to get things going again, but if they aren’t I need him to do that home run thing as well. T-Rex is a five-tool player meaning he can do it all. He can hit 40 home runs, steal 40 bases, run down a line drive and throw your butt out at home plate.
7. First Base
Jack Elliott (Tom Selleck) | Mr. Baseball (1992)
Jack would bring veteran leadership and experience while also being able to hit the long ball. He may not move as well as he used to but his job will be moving T-Rex and providing 35 or more home runs. It also helps that he is a tall lefty who can handle first base extremely well.
8. Third Base
Ray Mitchell (Stoney Jackson) | Angels in the Outfield (1994)
There isn’t a lot of competition at third base and I narrowed it down to either Mitchell or Roger Dorn from Major League. I had to go with Mitchell for being a powerhouse hitter and solid defensive player who can handle the hot corner with the best of them even before any angels were involved.
9. Short Stop
Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez (Mike Vitar/Pablo P. Vitar) | The Sandlot (1993)
With all the power and incredible hitters already in my lineup, all I need is a shortstop who can make all the plays and have enough speed to be just like a leadoff hitter to have something going for the top of my lineup. The Jet is just that guy and he probably loves the game more than anyone on the team so he isn’t complaining about batting last like some others would. He is the consummate teammate who will do whatever is best for the club.
Starting Pitcher
Bingo Long (Billy Dee Williams) | The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
I mentioned with Leon Carter that the characters from The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings were based on real players. Bingo Long was based on the great Satchel Paige for my ace, that is exactly who I want to take the mound. Someone confident enough to not even let his defense take the field as he threw the first pitch to the leadoff hitter in what he called his “Invite Pitch”.
Closer
Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) | Major League (1989)
And to close out my game, there is no one else I would rather have than Wild Thing. Once that music hits and the crowd starts going nuts, it will be hard for the opposing team to not be rattled. I don’t need anything fancy. I just need blazing speed to sit three straight hitters down for the dub. Vaughn is my guy.
Manager
Jim Duggan (Tom Hanks) | A League of Their Own (1992)
I need a manager who isn’t going to take any lip from anyone and knows what he is doing. It doesn’t hurt to have someone who not only played the game but played it well. If Jim Duggan can handle a team full of women (calm down sparky) then he should be able to handle anything this team throws at him.
Well, there is my all-star lineup of fictional baseball characters. Who would you draft to your team and get to coach them?
