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Top 5 sports movies - Ely Edition

For years, sports movies have appeared at the box office, doing their best to appeal to the athletic fanatics across the world.

And movies like “Rudy,” “Field of Dreams,” “Hoosiers” and “Remember the Titans” will forever leave an imprint in our hearts, proving how passionate we all are on the world of physical competition.

Hard work, determination and pride —three terms that constantly come up in these milestone sports flicks.

But what about the movies that you’ve been quoting since you were 12? The ones that you just about have an ulcer laughing over?

Trust me, I love the hit-’em-hard football movies and all those touching stories, but when I had the idea to rank my top five favorite sports movies, I found it very hard to stray away from the side splitters.

Sports and this entire idea of competition hit home to me, as I’ve played various sports in big-time leagues since I was very young.

But when I sit down to watch a production, I want to spit out my Dr. Pepper from laughing. A stained shirt is worth it to me. I don’t need to be inspired by Denzel Washington — I know basketball is serious.

Lighten up.

But anyways, without further adieu …

5. “Caddyshack” (1980)

This movie doesn’t only crack my top five because of its wittiness, but also because of my father’s Rodney Dangerfield impression I’ve had embedded in my brain since I was 6. It wasn’t just the voice he nailed, but the dancing and crazy antics of Al Czervik shown both on and off the golf course. My dad is huge on electronics and accessories and I wouldn’t be surprised if he called me up one day and told me he installed a radio into his golf bag. Golf was taken so seriously for years — “Caddyshack” tees up that tradition and smacks it 300 yards.

Favorite quote: “You’re a lot of woman, you know that? Yeah, wanna make $14 the hard way?” — Al Czervik

4. “D2: The Mighty Ducks” (1994)

I really don’t like hockey. OK, I lied. I despise hockey. But the “Mighty Ducks” trilogy, at one early point in my life, made me want to change my name to “Adam Banks” or “Charlie Conway” and join Team USA. Coach Gordon Bombay was my idol and I was always disappointed when I’d show up to my first practice on a new sports team and he would never be as cool as Emilio Estevez in that role. Ducks fly together!

Favorite quote: “They’re bigger! They’re stronger! They’re faster! They’ve got more facial hair!” — Lester Averman

3. “Happy Gilmore” (1996)

Should I even have to explain why this cracks my list of all-time favorite sports movies? No, but I will say this — you can’t lie to me and say you haven’t tried hitting a golf ball in the ungraceful fashion that Adam Sandler does in the movie. Yeah, it’s nearly impossible to hit one straight or more than 100 yards. But, we’ve all tried. Oh, and don’t forget the hockey-stick putting technique. We’ve been imitating and quoting this movie since 1996, no question. Shooter McGavin may even be my favorite character of all time, in any movie.

Favorite quote: “You know what else could draw a crowd? A golfer with an arm growing out of his ass.” — Shooter McGavin

2. “Angels in the Outfield” (1994)

Although this doesn’t make a lot of people’s lists, I can defend why it does for me. Whether it was sneaking closer at Detroit Tigers games with my brother Eric or telling each other we had an angel with us every time we were up to bat in coach-pitch baseball, we always found a way to attach the movie and baseball to our lives. And although it’s more of a touching movie, it definitely has some funny quotables that come out of nowhere.

Favorite quote: “It could happen!” — JP

1. “Major League II” (1994)

I’ve never laughed harder in my entire life. My love for baseball and comedy truly blend together in the second “Major League” movie of the three. As a media member, I truly attach to Harry Doyle and Monte, as well as their dialogue throughout the movie. Every time Bob Uecker’s voice came on, a smile lit up my face like a Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn fastball. I haven’t quoted more lines from a movie under my breath in everyday life than I do with this one — it’s epic.

Favorite quote: “Dynamite drop-in, Monte. That broadcast school has really paid off.” — Harry Doyle

Just missed the top five: “Rookie of the Year,” “The Sandlot,” “Little Giants” and “Space Jam”

Check out my fellow sports reporter Jacob Carpenter’s rebuttal with his favorite five sports flicks of all time at www.statenews.com.