For a younger audience, Kevin Costner is best known for his role as John Dutton in “Yellowstone” and as Superman’s dad in “Man of Steel.” However, the star, who is also a renowned filmmaker, first gained fame by starring in several sports movies, especially about baseball.
Costner’s sports movies includes “American Flyers” (1985), where he played a sports physician passionate about cycling, “Tin Cup” (1996), in which he plays a former golf prodigy, and “Draft Day” (2014), in which he portrays the general manager of an NFL team.
Between the 1980s and early 2000s, Costner appeared in several notable baseball films that helped consolidate his fame. These include a brief appearance in “Chasing Dreams” and a starring role in “Field of Dreams.” Here, check out where to watch those (and other) films in the US.
All of Kevin Costner’s baseball movies
Chasing Dreams (1982)
Stream: No availability
This wasn’t precisely a hit, neither with critics nor audiences. However, it’s the first baseball film in which Costner appears, while briefly. The story follows a farm boy who wishes to become a baseball player. Costner stars as the hero’s older brother.
Bull Durham (1988)
Stream: Prime Video
Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner in ‘Bull Durham’ (IMDb)
Starring alongside Susan Sarandon, this is one of Costner’s most iconic roles. The sports romantic comedy centers on “Crash” Davis (Costner), a seasoned catcher for the AAA Richmond Braves. He is tasked with mentoring rookie pitcher Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) to prepare him for the major leagues. Meanwhile, baseball enthusiast Annie Savoy (Sarandon) initially romances Nuke but gradually finds herself drawn to Crash.
Field of Dreams (1989)
Stream: Starz, Apple TV+
Costner’s most-famous baseball movie is this inspirational story. He plays Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball field in his cornfield. Despite skepticism from others, Ray constructs the field, which attracts the ghosts of legendary baseball players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson. As Ray interacts with these players, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.
For Love of the Game (1999)
Stream: Starz
Kevin Costner in “For the love of the game” (IMDb)
A decade later, he went on to star in this sports drama, directed by Sam Raimi. It centers on Billy Chapel (Costner), an aging baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers facing the end of his career. As he pitches what might be his final game, Billy reflects on his tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston), and the sacrifices he has made for the sport he loves.
The Upside of Anger (2005)
Stream: Max
Kevin Costner and Joan Allen in ‘The Upside of Anger’ (IMDb)
Here, Costner plays Denny, a retired baseball player who falls in love with his neighbor, Terry, played by Joan Allen. Terry has been recently left by her husband and has four daughters to care for. As her feelings for Denny grows, she starts questioning where their relationship is headed.
Did Kevin Costner have a baseball career?
With so many movies about baseball, one would think that Costner is very fond of the sport. However, it turns out that he didn’t play professionally at all, and that his favorite sport is actually basketball. “I would stay out late playing basketball until the street lights came on and my father came looking for me,” he told The Guardian.
