Celebrate 37 Years of 'Field of Dreams': A Look at Its Legacy and Upcoming MLB Game

It seems that once in a generation, Americans fall in love with a classic sports movie. From Robert De Niro's classic portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull," to to the true story of U.S. men's hockey's iconic upset of the Soviet Union in "Miracle," a captivating sports movie has been a staple of the American media landscape.

The same can be said for several films about America's pastime of baseball. The game has been covered in drama, comedy and even horror - but one inspirational and heartfelt baseball film has left its mark on nearly four decades of fans.

May 5 marks the 37th anniversary of the release of "Field of Dreams." The film follows farmer Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner), who is called to build a ballpark in his farm's cornfield. The park attracts the ghosts of baseball's past, giving Kinsella the opportunity to reconnect with his deceased father.

Baseball Classic With An All-Star Cast

"Field of Dreams" also features Academy Award winners Amy Madigan and James Earl Jones, who provided the iconic quote "If you build it, they will come." His character Terence Mann urges Costner's character to persist in building the ballpark.

"If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role," Costner said in a social media tribute to Jones after his death in 2024.

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"Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a corn field in Iowa. I’m grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen."

Jones and Costner are no strangers to films about baseball, as Jones would go on to appear in "The Sandlot" a few years after "Field of Dreams." One year prior to "Field of Dreams," Costner starred in "Bull Durham," another classic baseball film.

Bringing the 'Field of Dreams' To Life

"Field of Dreams" has become an indelible part of baseball lore, and Major League Baseball has immortalized the film with a special event. The Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees played in the first-ever "Field of Dreams" game in Dyersville, Iowa back in 2021.

Each team wore classic uniforms from the time period covered in the movie to commemorate the game, and Costner led both teams on the field from the corn stalks - just like in the film.

On the field, the game itself lived up to the Hollywood fanfare surrounding it, as the White Sox won on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

MLB will look to recapture the magic later this year, as the "Field of Dreams" will play host to its second top-level professional game. This year, the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins will take part on August 13. The Phillies' and Twins' Triple-A affiliate teams will also play one another on August 11 at the "Field of Dreams."

“Major League Baseball is excited to return to Iowa in 2026 and to deliver a unique experience to the Twins, the Phillies, their players, our two Minor League teams, and fans across the game," said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

"Field of Dreams" was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film can currently be streamed on Netflix, and fans can tune in on August 13 on Netflix to see the Phillies and Twins bring the "Field of Dreams" to life.

source https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/37-years-ago-today-an-all-time-classic-sports-movie-was-released