Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.

Yesterday, I watched Bull Durham.  It stars Kevin Costner, Crach Davis, a beat up old minor league catcher who was brought in to help coach Nuke LaLoosh, Tim Robbins. Nuke is a young pitching prospect in the minor leagues to gain control.  Davis, a veteran, and student of the game gives Nuke advice throughout the movie that deals with the mental aspect of the game.  The two start as enemies, almost fighting more than once, but eventually grow to be friends.

Early in the movie Nuke has so much trouble with his control that he hits the Bull, the Durham team mascot.  Crash later has him hit the bull in order to scare a batter, saying "I don't know where its gonna go." 

Nuke and Crash, who we find out is approaching the minor league home run record, both get interested in the same woman, Susan Sarandon, Annie.  Early on, Nuke wins her but begins to fall away from her when he decides that not having sex is the reason he is pitching so well.  Crash insists he respect the streak. 

One of my favorite points in the movie is when Nuke shakes Crash off, meaning Nuke wants to call his own pitches.  Crash thinks this is arrogant as he has been calling pitches all game and allows Nuke to throw the pitch he wants.  However, Crash tells the opposing batter that Nuke is shaking him off and tells the player the pitch then says, "When you speak of me, speak well." The player hits a home run.  

This movie has a great deal of speeches, usually from Crash towards Nuke, that explain the finer points of baseball.  Crash's job is to get Nuke ready for the majors which include teaching him about all aspects of the game, including dealing with reporters.  Most of the speeches deal with the philosophical points of the game.  Annie later says to Crash, "You do make speeches," after he explains his view on love and sex.  

Eventually Nuke is called up to the pros and Crash is released the same time.  Crash goes to a bar and gets drunk.  Nuke comes to the bar to celebrate and the two start arguing.  Crash is jealous.  Here he teaches Nuke his last lesson. "Never hit a drunk with your pitching hand." 

After Nuke is gone, Crash goes to Annie's house and they get together.  

I really enjoyed this movie.  I like a movie with good quotes and this one is chock full of them between Crash, Annie and Nuke.  It really shows the minor leagues in a somewhat realistic way.  They showed the guys who never will make it to the majors except to have a cup of coffee, and their relationship to the boys who come in with a sure ride to the pros.  The movie shows Crash's superior knowledge and jealousy and Nuke's naivete and arrogance contrasted with their friendship.