The Rookie

The Rookie is a 2002 American film directed by John Lee Hancock. The film was released on March 29, 2002.
It is based on the true story of Jim Morris who debuted in Major League Baseball at age 35.
== Plot ==
Jim Morris is the son of a career Navy man, who moves the family from Hollywood, Florida to Big Lake, Texas, in order to maintain job security. Jim is shown to be a skilled pitcher, though his father disapproves of Jim's dream of making it to Major League Baseball. It is later mentioned that the town to which Jim's family moved, Big Lake, has lost its love for baseball, preferring football instead. Thus, he was unable to play baseball in high school. He later gets a chance when he is drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, but he tears up his shoulder, ending his hopes of achieving his lifelong dream.
In 1999, Jim, married with three children, is a high school science teacher, as well as head baseball coach. His team, the Big Lake Owls, is unsuccessful, with many of his players being skilled but unmotivated, especially with little community support. One day after practice, the team catcher offers to play catch with Jim. There, it is revealed that Jim may still have his fastball, and it is soon displayed to the rest of the team. The Owls believe that Jim could possibly pitch in the major leagues and offer him a deal, if the Owls can win district and make the state playoffs, Jim will try out again. He accepts their offer and, furthermore, the team urges him to throw his fastball in batting practice; this immensely improves their batting skills.
The Owls end up winning district. Jim is told of a try-out nearby for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Jim goes without telling his wife Lorri, afraid that her fear of him re-injuring his shoulder would keep him from going. After his tryout, the professional scouts discover his ability to repeatedly throw a baseball at 98 mph. The lead scout tells Jim that he could be signed to a minor-league deal. Lorri finds out after getting two phone messages from the Tampa Bay scouts. Jim tells his father, with whom he still has a cold relationship, of his situation, and his father once again tries to dissuade Jim. Lorri is also reluctant to let Jim go, citing his home responsibilities, but after seeing how Jim is inspiring their son, Hunter, she allows him to go.
Jim is initially assigned to the minor league Class AA Orlando Rays, but quickly moves up to the Class AAA Durham Bulls. Concerned for his family due to mounting bills (the pay in the minor leagues being low), Jim decides to give it up and come home, but Lorri talks him out of it, not wanting Jim to give up again. Jim gets inspired again when he unexpectedly views his own interview on a television in and then watches a Little League Baseball game the same night, remembering the same love for baseball he had as a kid.
In September, Jim is told that the Major League club has called him up, and that they will be playing in Texas against the Rangers. Jim calls his wife, who in turn informs the town. Having told her of the dress code for players in the majors, Jim finds his sports coat, a necktie, and his St. Rita medal (St. Rita is the saint of impossible dreams) hanging in his locker when he arrives. His family, high school players, and many townspeople go to the game. Jim impresses many of the coaches in warm-ups with his fastball, and late in the game, with Tampa Bay losing badly, Jim is called into the game to pitch to Royce Clayton and end the inning. Jim gets a strikeout against Clayton on three straight fastballs. After the game, Jim gets interviewed by the press; during this interview, Jim notices his father had also come to the game. Jim's father admits how special it is to be able to see his son play in the majors, and apologises for not supporting Jim before. Jim thanks him and gives him the ball with which he had gotten the strikeout, and the two repair their relationship. Jim then meets with his family and all the townspeople who had come to the game, applauding Jim on his amazing success story.
The Big Lake high school trophy case displays Jim's major league jersey. It is then mentioned that Jim would go on to pitch in the major leagues for two seasons before retiring and returning to teaching in Texas.
== Cast and Characters ==
* Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris
* Rachel Griffiths as Lorri Morris
* Jay Hernandez as Joaquin "Wack" Campos
* Beth Grant as Olline
* Angus T. Jones as Hunter Morris
* Brian Cox as Jim Morris Sr.
* Rick Gonzalez as Rudy Bonilla
* Chad Lindberg as Joe David Werst
* Angelo Spizzirri as Joel De La Garza
* Matt Williams as Owls Player #1
* Royce D. Applegate as Henry
* Russell Richardson as Brooks
* Raynor Scheine as Frank
* David Blackwell as Cal
* Chris Sheffield as Snow Covered Catcher
* Blue Deckert as Baseball Scout Dave Patterson
* Danny Kamin as Durham Manager Mac
* Mike Smith as Fan
* Kyle Christensen as Baseball Player
* Robbie Bigelow as Beefcake Bigelow
* Jim Morris as Orlando Umpire #2
Category:Films
Category:Live-action Films
Category:2002 Films
Category:Sports Films
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