The movie "42"

The highly anticipated film, “42”, opens this weekend across the country.   It tells the story of how Jackie Robinson broke through racial barriers and overcame racial stereotypes in 1947 to become the first African-American in the 20^Th Century to play Major League baseball.  Named after Robinson’s uniform number, 42, it depicts his successful assault orchestrated by Brooklyn Dodger General Manager Branch Rickey to integrate the sport. 

More than about baseball, “42” is Robinson’s story that began to erase injustice not just in American sports, but in American society as a whole.  The movie should not be seen similar to fictional baseball movies such as IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING (1949), ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD (1951), FIELD OF DREAMS (1989), or THE NATURAL (1984).  In addition, because Jackie Robinson’s story transcends the game of baseball, “42” should not been seen in the same light as other biographical baseball movies such as THE BABE RUTH STORY (1948), PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (1942) which is the story of Lou Gehrig, or THE WINNING TEAM(1952) which is story of pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander . 

What has been your favorite baseball movie?