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Carmen Ronzonni
Aug 12, 2013
Published in
The Athletes
While his brother’s penis was becoming the gateway for Hollywood starlets, Jimmy Baio was given maybe one line a week on “Soap” and dazzled us with “air” impressions of Luis Tiant in the first Bad News Bears’ sequel. Actually, he was there to replace Tatum O’Neal who declined to appear in the film, and give a New York attitude to appeal to…those who loved impressions of Luis Tiant. Actually, he couldn’t pitch until Coach Leak basically taught him to simply just throw the ball. Damn, Kelly’s dad made everything look so easy.
Bruce Pearson
Aug 12, 2013
Published in
The Athletes
The role that launched Robert DeNiro’s career was as a slow witted Catcher who has terminal Hodgkin’s Disease. As Bruce Pearson, he showed limited intellect, and was not a star on his team, the New York Mammoths, though his closest friend was. DeNiro was often the butt of the jokes on the team, and was the focus of our sympathies. However, when the nature of his illness is unveiled, the team rallies around their comrade, and learn to win and become better people in the process. That sounds like a simple equation, but often those are the best stories told. As it stands, any film that launched the career of one of the greatest actors ever, deserves a look for our little Hall of Fame.
The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)
Actor:
Robert DeNiro
Position Portrayed:
Catcher
Played for:
New York Mammoths
Why you should vote for him:
DeNiro was great, and it launched his career.
Why you should not vote for him:
Isn’t the Catcher usually the smartest player on the team? Seriously, something is off here.
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Bobby Rayburn
Aug 12, 2013
Published in
The Athletes
Wesley deserved better here. The movie “The Fan” was a great idea, though the execution was a little muddled. We grant that Wesley Snipes (Bobby Rayburn) may not be on the same acting plane as Robert DeNiro, but he wasn’t given a character with much reason for viewers to care about. At the very least, Wesley Snipes is one of the few actors who you could buy in any athletic role, but without drawing empathy from the audience, does it really matter if he is the object of DeNiro’s obsession?
The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
The Fan (1996)
Actor:
Wesley Snipes
Position Portrayed:
Outfield
Played for:
San Francisco Giants
Why you should vote for him:
Few look the part better than Wesley.
Why you should not vote for him:
There are better Wesley Snipes athletic roles to vote for.
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Bingo Long
Aug 12, 2013
Published in
The Athletes
We are thrilled that we have found a way to nominate Lando Calrissian….er…Billy Dee Williams, who could be one of the coolest men of all time. As Negro League pitcher, Bingo Long, Williams uses his signature charm to start his own breakaway barnstorming Baseball team, and formed the most entertaining team in Baseball. The movie had its moments, but failed to capture a sizable audience…at least not as much as he did as Lando…or even when he pitched Colt 45.
The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
The Bingo Long All-Stars & Travelling Motor Kings (1976)
Actor:
Billy Dee Williams
Position Portrayed:
Pitcher
Played for:
The Bingo Long All Stars
Why you should vote for him:
If the Hall is based on charm, it is hard to better than Billy Dee.
Why you should not vote for him:
The film was not a huge hit, nor did it achieve cult status.
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