Baseball is a game of emotion. Not so much the raw energy and extremes you see in sports like football or even basketball, but a deeper, more constant flow of emotions. Remember the Twins winning it all in 1991? What a high. How about Joe Mauer donning the catcher’s gear for part of his last game? We weren’t sure what to feel there, but we felt it. For me personally, the day I got cut from college tryouts and realized that my baseball playing days were over was crushing.

That’s the overarching theme of Kevin Costner’s 1999 baseball movie, For Love of the Game. The focus is Billy Chapel, an aging ace for the Detroit Tigers, who is trying to come to grips with the end of his time with the Tigers or possibly the end of his career. The movie focuses on one day and one game, but flashbacks take you through the ups and downs of his life in baseball and his primary relationship. So, is it worth a watch? Let’s play ball.


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First Pitch –  The opening scenes set the tone for sure. Over the opening credits, you see newspaper clips about Chapel’s career from Little League to being drafted by the Tigers. It’s a baseball life. Then, you experience his relationship with his battery mate, Gus Sinski, played by John C. Reilly. It’s clearly the “old married couple” dynamic, and it’s entertaining. Before you hit the 13:00 mark, you get a glimpse into his on-again-off-again relationship with Jane Aubrey, played by Kelly Preston and learn that the owner of the Tigers, Gary Wheeler (Brian Cox), has sold the team. The new owners will want to trade him, so Wheeler encourages him to hang up his cleats as a Tiger. Oh yeah, Jane’s leaving to take a job in London, and his arm hurts, and he’s slated to take the mound in a meaningless game at the end of a losing season. Chapel has a lot to deal with today, and we’re set to take the ride with him.

Early Innings – If this movie is going to lose you, this is probably where it happens. It’s setting up the storyline and introducing more characters, but it moves along like Bartolo Colon on the base paths. As the actual Tigers vs Yankees game starts, you learn that Vin Scully and Steve “Psycho” Lyons are calling the game, which is a nice touch. Jane’s trying to catch her plane to London but can’t help but watch Chapel’s game on the tv. Throughout these scenes, New Yorkers are portrayed as rude and obnoxious. The anti-Yankee vibe earns some points with me. That being said, the early parts of the movie leave plenty of time to go grab a beer and snacks.

Mid-Game – Heres where the movie zeroes in on the romance with Jane a bit more. We learn how they met, the ups and downs of their long-distance casual relationship, and the struggle of a hand injury to Chapel and its effect on his life and relationship. You start to realize that Chapel is pitching a not just a great game, but a perfect game. The tension on and off the field builds. 

Last Inning – The drama on the field is pretty solid. Chapel struggles but keeps doing just enough. The same could be said off the field. He keeps getting into trouble but finding his way back into Jane’s good graces. By the end, he’s nailed down his perfect game, reconciled with Jane, and told the Tigers owner, “Tell them I’m through. For love of the game.” 

Run Time: 2 hrs 17 min

IMDB Score: 6.6/10

Scorecard: Double down the line. It might be too cheesy for many sports fans, but it works for me. 

Player of the Game: I love John C. Reiley in this one. He’s a little funny, but not over-the-top. He clearly cares about Chapel’s legacy as much as Chapel does. Just a very likeable character.

Benchwarmer: Overly long flashbacks and melodrama.

Best line: When the Tiger’s manager, played by JK Simmons, comes to the mound, Chapel tells him to “Pat me on my fanny, march back the that dugout, and take a seat.” When the manager starts to walk away, Chapels says, “Where’s my pat?” His manager comes back into the shot, gives his rump a pat, and leaves again. It’s silly, but I found it funny.