7 Reasons 'Ya Gotta Believe' In 'Angels In The Outfield'
The 90s was probably the best decade to grow up in, partially because you got the best movies to watch. Whether they were the ones handed down from past generations or the ones that came out when we were young, there was just so much choice. Angels in the Outfield was one of those gems that we all loved.
It made baseball fun while introducing us to the one and only Joseph Gordon-Levitt! The movie was one a classic that we have loved for decades but how much do you remember about it?
1. It was a remake
Angels in the Outfield actually came out in 1951 starring Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. They decided to bring it into the 90s and gave it an all-star cast including, Danny Glover, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd.
2. The cast has gone on to win some impressive awards
Even though Angels in the Outfield didn't win any awards, they obviously cast some talented people. Most of the cast has been honored with some kind of prestigious acting award whether it's an Emmy, Golden Globe or Oscar. Cast members who have either been nominated or won awards include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrien Brody, Matthew McConaughey, Tony Danza, and Christopher Lloyd.
3. There are real baseball players acting in the movie
Carney Lansford played for the real California Angels in 1975, and he played the role of Kit Kesey.
4. The famous line "Ya gotta believe" is actually referencing another baseball player
New York Mets pitcher, Tug McGraw, was known for saying that back when he played baseball in the 70s.
What else have we been missing about the best baseball movie ever?
5. It was one of Matthew McConaughey's first movies
He was in Dazed and Confused just one year prior, but at the time he was thrilled to be playing the baseball player Ben Williams. "I was getting $48,500 just to act and play baseball," he said. "I thought I was rolling in dough. Two weeks into shooting that, I got called back to read for Herbert Ross and got that role too."
6. Two cast members worked together again
In 2013, Joseph Gordon-Levitt asked Tony Danza to be in his movie Don Jon. Danza said, "We did Angels in the Outfield 20 years ago. Joseph called me out of the blue and said he had me in mind for this." They were even joined by Adrien Body at the premiere!
7. That wasn't real chewing tobacco
Carney Lansford spits out chewing tobacco at the end of the movie and it's pretty gross. In reality, they used black licorice to get the same look without having to use the real thing.