So I’m watching the Cleveland Indians destroy the New York Yankees on Monday night … down 2-1 in the series, and down 6-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Bobby Abreu smacks a home run to right field to close the gap to two runs.
And what do I hear?
The home run song from "The Natural".
I was taken aback: was the greatest song in baseball movie history, celebrating the biggest home run in movie history, being used to celebrate a gap closing home run in game 4 of the ALDS?
Apparently it was … but from my shock and awe came a sorely needed idea for a column: the greatest sports movie songs and montages of all time. In no particular order:
Rocky I - "Gonna Fly Now"
The montage that started it all. It’s hard to believe that I was -8 years old when this movie came out: but I feel like I’ve watched it enough for multiple lifetimes.
The montage that started it all. It’s hard to believe that I was -8 years old when this movie came out: but I feel like I’ve watched it enough for multiple lifetimes.
30 seconds into his run in the apparent shanty town that is Philadelphia, a local vendor throws Rocky an orange: symbolizing the bond between Philadelphia and it’s native son. Judging by the slums he’s running in, I’m surprised he wasn’t thrown a switchblade.
Rocky IV - "No Easy Way Out"
I want this to be my wedding song. When I was younger I used to pay homage to the Rocky series by naming all of the scenes during this song and when they occurred over the course of the franchise. Now I pay homage to this song by not watching the road when I drive, and slamming my car into neutral because I like to pretend I’m switching gears.
I want this to be my wedding song. When I was younger I used to pay homage to the Rocky series by naming all of the scenes during this song and when they occurred over the course of the franchise. Now I pay homage to this song by not watching the road when I drive, and slamming my car into neutral because I like to pretend I’m switching gears.
Rocky III - The Clubber Montage
I can’t find this montage on YouTube. All I can find is the beach montage where Apollo and Rocky finally declare their man-love for each other …
I can’t find this montage on YouTube. All I can find is the beach montage where Apollo and Rocky finally declare their man-love for each other …
Rocky III - The Homo-Erotic Montage
"HO HO HO HO! Very nice!"
"HO HO HO HO! Very nice!"
Damn I love this movie. A very under-the-radar aspect of this film is Paulie’s unabashed racism:
"I don’t like these people"
"He can’t train to this jungle music!"
"You can’t train him like a coloured fighter"
"I don’t like these people"
"He can’t train to this jungle music!"
"You can’t train him like a coloured fighter"
No way Paulie gets away with that in 2006 … the directors had to turn his racism to another target: Native Americans.
Rudy - Spring Training
Ah… "5 foot nothin’, 100 and nothin’" Rudy Ruttiger living his dream on the Notre Dame football field. The highlight of this montage is the scene about 3 minutes in:
Ah… "5 foot nothin’, 100 and nothin’" Rudy Ruttiger living his dream on the Notre Dame football field. The highlight of this montage is the scene about 3 minutes in:
After being humiliated during a tackling drill, a defiant Rudy stands up to run the drill again:
"C’mon! Let’s do it again"
"Nah… you had your chance… get out of here"
"No! I can do it!"
"You can do it? Let’s see!"
"Nah… you had your chance… get out of here"
"No! I can do it!"
"You can do it? Let’s see!"
Which is eerily similar to what was said the night I lost my virginity.
Karate Kid - Ralph Macchio becomes a man
Daniel LaRusso is able to regain the love of Ali Mills with the help of his "bobbing for apples" kissing technique. Think the music during this video is cheesy? I listened to it on my way into work today.
Daniel LaRusso is able to regain the love of Ali Mills with the help of his "bobbing for apples" kissing technique. Think the music during this video is cheesy? I listened to it on my way into work today.
Clip is a bit lengthy... but a great watch.
Karate Kid - "You’re the best: around! Nothing’sgonnaeverkeepyoudown!"
The ultimate montage, in my opinion. Watch as Daniel takes out seemingly more talented opponents using a wide array of martial arts tactics including: side-step and chop to the back of the head, front kick to unguarded midsection, and the devastating "block slow punch/score with even slower punch" combo.
The ultimate montage, in my opinion. Watch as Daniel takes out seemingly more talented opponents using a wide array of martial arts tactics including: side-step and chop to the back of the head, front kick to unguarded midsection, and the devastating "block slow punch/score with even slower punch" combo.
The Natural - The Final Home Run
Did anyone think to test Roy Hobbes for HGH after this mammoth shot?
Did anyone think to test Roy Hobbes for HGH after this mammoth shot?
Let me tell you a little story about baseball: I’m playing for my high school team, the Blue Devils. Not once had we won a game: two on, two out, down by a run … Ellis comes to the plate and hits a go ahead single: you’ve got yourself a legacy going baby!
Yes… my legacy is the fact that I kept my high school baseball team from going 0 and 7 on the year.
Rocky IV - First Training Montage
Isn’t it ridiculous that I have to qualify a movie by saying that it’s the "first" training montage, because there are two montages?
Isn’t it ridiculous that I have to qualify a movie by saying that it’s the "first" training montage, because there are two montages?
I’m sorry… did I say "ridiculous"? I meant to say "awesome".
A good friend of mine lived out two of the scenes in this movie: he pushed a car out of the snow and jogged off, and dropped his weight after a tricep curl. On the contrary, I once gave myself a hernia chopping wood at my grandparent’s farm.
That wraps it up… my foray into NFL prognostication did not go well: my Week 5 record? 2-9-1. Needless to say … I’m conceding to the coin.
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