Bull Durham

Bull Durham

1988

Director: Ron Shelton

Writer: Ron Shelton

108 Minutes

“Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.” – Crash Davis

Besides this being the turning point in Annie Savory’s (Susan Sarandon) feelings for this man, this is why we love Crash David (Kevin Costner).

He’s no bullshit. He’s just Crash.

And there is more:

The amount of respect, dignity, and admiration Crash Davis has for the game of baseball is the movie. He’s confidently passionate. He’s plays his heart out. And he’s one of the greats.

Crash Davis is a true American: opinionated and solid.

It’s why baseball is the America’s pastime. It’s why we sit in the blazing sun, drinking warm beer, and eat plain hotdogs. It’s because of players like Crash Davis. And he is why we watch baseball.

But more importantly, someone with that much conviction, knowledge, and nerve to say this to a beautiful woman, then say goodnight, and then walk out the door is why we watch movies.

In the scene above, Annie is debating between two men to have sex with. One being Crash Davis and the other a hotshot pitcher named Nuke LaLoosh (Tim Robbins). Annie's plan is to take “care” of one player each season, help him with his game, and then set him free for the major leagues. Here, her debate is between these two. But, Crash has another thing in mind:

“After twelve years in the minor league, I don’t try out…”

After some contesting statements, Crash delivers this speech. Nuke looks bored, but Annie is fixated, lingering on every word, and opening her heart (over her legs) to someone who really knows life, love, and baseball - she sport she deems "The Church of Baseball."

Crash plays no games, nor talks shit. He calls a spade a spade. He can’t beat’em, joins’em. Cause when you’ve played in the show (the majors), you know how great life can be:

“Yeah, I was in the show. I was in the show for 21 days once - the 21 greatest days of my life. You know, you never handle your luggage in the show, somebody else carries your bags. It was great. You hit white balls for batting practice, the ballparks are like cathedrals, the hotels all have room service, and the women all have long legs and brains.”

It’s Crash Davis...as his finest.