Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Darren Stumberger played for the NCAA Division 1 University of South Florida Bulls baseball team before being selected by the Cleveland Indians in 1994. Over the course of his career, the right-handed first baseman compiled a batting average of .288, with 68 home runs and 353 RBIs. Now coaching kids age 7- 15, Darren Stumberger volunteers every day but still enjoys relaxing with a good movie.
Baseball has been featured in some of the best movies of recent decades, as it so naturally lends itself to the portrayal of human frailties and successes. Baseball writer Will Leitch compiled his list of the best baseball films of all time. The following are his top five picks:
1. Bull Durham. Filmed in 1988, this movie portrays the reality of the ins-and-outs of life in baseball.
2. A League of Their Own. With the contributions of some top stars, this 1992 movie tells a story of women in baseball.
3. The Pride of the Yankees. From 1942, this one featured not only Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig, but also Babe Ruth, portraying himself.
4. Field of Dreams. A blockbuster hit from 1989, this movie hit the emotional spot for many fans.
5. Eight Men Out. A 1988 look at baseball’s Black Sox scandal, the intentional loss of the 1919 World Series.
No listing of great baseball movies would be complete without the mention of such iconic films as Moneyball (2011), The Natural (1984), and, of course, The Bad News Bears (1976).
