The Battered Bastards of Baseball

Name: The Battered Bastards of Baseball
Genre: Documentary
Released: July 11, 2014
Duration: 73 min
Rating: 75

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: July 11, 2014 | Not Rated

Summary: The Battered Bastards of Baseball is one of baseball's last great, unheralded true stories. In 1973, Hollywood veteran Bing Russell (best known for playing Deputy Clem on "Bonanza") created the only independent baseball team in America at the time, the legendary Portland Mavericks. Bing operated without a Major League affiliation whileThe Battered Bastards of Baseball is one of baseball's last great, unheralded true stories. In 1973, Hollywood veteran Bing Russell (best known for playing Deputy Clem on "Bonanza") created the only independent baseball team in America at the time, the legendary Portland Mavericks. Bing operated without a Major League affiliation while playing in a city that was considered a wasteland for professional baseball. Tryouts for the Mavericks, which were open to the public, were filled with hopefuls who arrived in droves from every state in America, many of whom had been rejected by organized baseball. Skeptics agreed it would never work. But Bing's Mavericks generated unprecedented success: they shattered attendance records, signed Kurt Russell - Bing's son - as a player and team Vice President, produced the most successful batboy in baseball (filmmaker Todd Field), re-launched the controversial career of Jim Bouton, hired the first female general manager in Baseball, and inspired one of America's beloved bubblegums—Big League Chew. The Battered Bastards of Baseball is as much about the independent spirit as it is about baseball. The Mavericks' in your face attitude was contagious to fans, and during their short reign, they - and Bing Russell - basically held up their middle finger to the sports establishment and said we're playing this game on our terms, not yours. They were the real life Bad News Bears.… Expand

Director: Chapman Way and Maclain Way

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 73 min

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Critic Reviews

Marc Mohan

Jul 11, 2014

Behind the on-field shenanigans and eccentric personalities, there's a meatier story about the corporatization of sports and the disappearance of the barnstorming attitude Bing Russell took as a virtual religion. Read full review

The Playlist Katie Walsh

Jul 11, 2014

The Batterered Bastards of Baseball is an entertaining celebration of the independent spirit and the love of the game. Read full review

Daniel Fienberg

Jul 11, 2014

It's full of laughs and, towards the end, I even got a bit choked up in places. Read full review

Duane Byrge

Jul 11, 2014

The Battered Bastards of Baseball is not just about baseball. It transcends the game and is a charming anti-establishment yarn. Read full review

Michael Nordine

Jul 11, 2014

That Battered Bastards is practically a hagiography doesn't negate the fact that it has more anti-establishment joie de vivre in any given scene than most talking-head docs about previously unheralded mensches contain in their entire run times. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Jul 11, 2014

A fast-paced valentine to Russell and his quixotic vision so rife with underdog victors and hairpin twists of fortune that, if it weren’t all true, no one would believe it. Read full review

Daniel M. Gold

Jul 11, 2014

The Battered Bastards of Baseball is an affectionate scrapbook of a documentary. Read full review

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User Reviews

dti79

Jul 13, 2014

As a somewhat new Portlander, I appreciated getting to know an interesting part of city history from before I was even born. The joy of this movie is in showing how much has changed in sports since the Mavs played ball about thirty years ago. I have a very difficult time imagining a teamAs a somewhat new Portlander, I appreciated getting to know an interesting part of city history from before I was even born. The joy of this movie is in showing how much has changed in sports since the Mavs played ball about thirty years ago. I have a very difficult time imagining a team such as this one existing in the profit driven world of sports now. I enjoyed getting to know the interesting cast of characters shown in this film. If you have a love of sports and the purity that comes with that love, this movie is for you.… Expand

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metacritic1967

Jun 15, 2015

The Battered Bastards of Baseball is one helluva movie! Seeing Kurt Russell play baseball is outstanding. After watching the movie I wanted to setup a league on a game called OOTP 16 and let us just say I was unsuccessful.

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