For whatever reason every year when the opening day for MLB approaches (or begins if you are currently a Seattle Mariner or Oakland A) I always get to thinking about classic baseball films: Eight Men Out, Field of Dreams, Pride of the Yankees, Major League, and my personal favorite The Natural. Baseball as a past time has often been fodder for great cinema whether it's scandal (Eight Men Out), humor (Major League), the deep personal bond of baseball (Field of Dreams), or a visionary who wants to change the way teams are made (Moneyball).
As I was driving home from work tonight I suddenly thought: "Why has there never been any definitive biopic made about Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams?" There have already been baseball biopics about Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. With such recent real life films like J. Edgar or The Social Network, it stands to reason that a movie should be made about the Splendid Splinter. After all we are talking not only about one of the five most impactful players on the game of baseball, but in my estimation the greatest hitter that ever lived. (Being a die hard Yankee fan that takes a lot for me to admit. I'll probably have my Bronx Bombers card revoked but like the ubiquitous umpire once said "I calls 'em like I sees 'em").
Williams' baseball prowess speaks for itself. He's the last person to hit .400 for a season and had a lifetime batting average of .344. He won the triple crown twice; significant because there hasn't been anyone who's done it once in 45 years. The last was Carl Yastremski in 1967--also a Boston Red Sox. He was also a 19 time all-star and a two time MVP and even had a successful, albeit short, managing career. Teddy Ballgame's rivalry with Joe Dimaggio and the Yankees was legendary. There's also the fact that he hit terribly in his only World Series and that he refused to ever tip his cap again after the Red Sox fans booed him early in his career. Furthermore, Williams was also a tough hard nosed left fielder, often cantankerous and ornery with the media. His pride and strive for perfection was unparalleled. Williams actually told the Red Sox owner that he wanted to take a pay cut for his final season in 1960 because he underperformed in 1959, even though the owner didn't want to cut his salary and offered him the same contract.
All of the aforementioned baseball aspects make for a potentially epic baseball biopic. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the things outside of baseball that made Ted Williams' life so interesting. The San Diego native grew up during the Great Depression with parents (especially his mother) who were often absent. He fought as a bomber pilot in both WWII and Korea. Williams married three times, his third wife being a former Miss Vermont and Vogue model. Teddy Baseball's brother and son John-Henry both died of leukemia. Aside from being an incredible baseball player he was also an expert sport fisherman and was inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
Even after his death the intrigue continued. Despite the fact that his will clearly stated his wish to be cremated, both John-Henry and his daughter Claudia chose to have his remains frozen cryonically. This prompted a long and bitter lawsuit by his eldest daughter Bobby-Jo Ferrell. It was very public and the talk of the media for many months.
I have to say if Ted Williams' life doesn't make for cinema gold I don't know what does. It's mind boggling to me that a movie hasn't been made about his life. Whether this has something to do with the Williams estate or nobody championing the project I have no idea. Even in an age where Hollywood execs think the latest "Eddie Murphy Fatsuit Movie" and "More Crap starring Adam Sandler" are the epitome of movie magic, I'm not cynical enough to believe that people in Hollywood wouldn't think Ted Williams' life would make for a great movie.
The obvious question is who would play Ted Williams in the film. I could already see Clint Eastwood being cast as the older Williams but what about between the ages of 20 to say 50? Tom Hardy could definitely carry off the Williams personality but I don't think he looks the part. Jeremy Renner might be a good choice. He certainly has the acting chops but he might not be athletic enough for the role. Boston natives Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are too high profile and Christian Bale is too British. I think the only answer may be to go with a relative unknown. That way there is no added pressure and no adverse reactions to the casting, ala Michael Keaton with Batman.
Either way, if Hollywood ever gets around to making a Ted Williams biopic I'll be one of the first in line.
I would be second in line.
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