Summary
Kevin Costner has opened up about how he convinced George Steinbrenner, former owner of the New York Yankees, to film at Yankee Stadium for his 1999 movieFor Love of the Game. While known for his Western roles, such as in his upcomingHorizon: An American Saga,Costner’s also starred in sports movieslike this one. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film follows forty-year-old Billy Chapel (Costner) as he pitches a perfect game for the Detroit Tigers against the Yankees.
Speaking withGQ, however, Costner revealed that, in order to secure Yankee Stadium as a filming location inFor Love of the Game, he had to convince Steinbrenner they could film there.
Starting at 21:29, the actor explained how the main point of contention was that the Yankees lose in the movie, andCostner ultimately lied and said they would go on to win the World Series, which wouldn’t be shown in the movie. Coincidentally, that same year, they won the World Series in real life. Check out what Costner had to say about his conversation with Steinbrenner below:
The movie wasn’t gonna happen in Yankee Stadium, and we already had a crew out there, and no one knew what to do about it, but George [Steinbrenner] wasn’t gonna let it happen. It wasn’t fair, and it came down to I didn’t have no lawyer, no studio executive. Our movie was dead in the water. And somebody said, “Kevin, you need to talk to him.” And I was like, “Where’re all the tough guys? Everybody, what are you talking about? I have to talk to George.” But he had said “No,” it wasn’t gonna happen. We had a contract. So I call up George. He’s a legendary guy, difficult guy, and I wasn’t certain how I was gonna go about doing that, but so much was riding on it.
And so I called him up and I said, “Hello, George.” He goes, “Hello, Kev.” And I said, “Hi, George.” He goes, “What do you need, Kev?” And I said, “Well, George, it sounds like we can’t come to the Yankees stadium.” He goes, “That’s right.” And I’m thinking to myself, “Where’s my dad? I need somebody to help me with this. I don’t know what to say to this guy.” I said, “George, but we had a contract.” He goes, “I know that, but I can’t let it happen, Kev.” And I said, “All right, George, you wanna explain that to me? Why?” He goes, “Well, the Yankees lose.” “The Yankees what?” “They lose, can’t let that happen, Kev.” I said, “George, it’s a perfect game. I pitch a perfect game.” “You don’t even get a hit. Yes, you lose. Yeah, the Yankees can’t lose.” And I thought, “Well, we’ve just lost the stadium ‘cause I’m not gonna change the plot.” So I listened to him.
It was a little bit of silence, and I finally said, and I use different words than I’m gonna use with you, I said, “George, what are you talking about?” You can guess what I filled in. And he said, “What?” I said, “What are you talking about?” I said, “The Yankees don’t lose. They win.” Now I’m really lying right here right now ‘cause they do lose. I kick their a** with a perfect game. And he goes, “What do you mean they don’t lose?” And I said, I’m tap dancing, thinking, I said, “You guys win the pennant. This is a meaningless game. You guys actually win. You don’t need this game. In fact, you even bring up minor leaguers.” I’m thinking, “God, I’m just a world-class liar here.”
And I said, “You win. In fact, you not only win the pennant, George, you go on to win the World Series.” He goes, “We do?” I said, “You do in my story. Just, we’re not gonna see that part.” And he, I don’t know what the hell happened, but he said, “Okay, but you know what this organization means to me.” I said, “I certainly do. You win the World Series, George. I swear to God, you do.” Turns out they did, they won that year.
Why For Love Of The Game Needed Yankee Stadium
The Movie Needed To Remain Faithful To The Book
While Costner’s 1999 baseball film isn’t as memorable as themeaningful story ofField of Dreams,the movie still tackles themes of perseverance against the oddsthrough the actor’s character. The story’s focus on Chapel is important, as the aged pitcher’s perfect game proves that skill in something knows no age. Even though the film received mixed reviews from critics, also making it one of the lowest-reviewedmovies from director Raimi, it’s clear plenty of effort went into its presentation and making it feel real.
Had the movie not been filmed at Yankee Stadium in particular,it would have suffered, as the writers would have to alter the storyline to keep the New York team from showing up.This would be a major change, though, since the movie is based on a 1991 novel of the same name by Michael Shaara, wherein the Yankees are the team Chapel pitches against. This departure from the novel may have made the game less impactful as a whole.
That the movie’s star got Steinbrenner to agree to use the stadium helped bolster the climactic game, even if the film received mixed reviews overall. While it’s not one of Costner’s most well-remembered sports movies,For Love of the Gameis still a unique presentation of both a perfectly-pitched baseball game, as well as a love story that helps ground the film. Its production history also shows how important it was to make the movie feel as real as possible, the effort giving it some well-earned points.
Why For Love Of The Game Isn’t As Remembered As Costner’s Other Sports Movies
The Baseball Film Sits At A 46% On Rotten Tomatoes
Despite the effort that went into getting permission to filmFor Love of the Gamein Yankee Stadium, the movie hasn’t gone on to be as well-remembered as other Costner sports movies, such as hisquotable baseball hitField of Dreams.The 1999 movie sits at a 46% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally mixed-to-negative reception. However, it also has a 75% audience score, suggesting it’s better-liked among regular moviegoers. Yet this is nothing compared to the more critically acclaimed sports movies Costner has been in.
WhileFor Love of the Gamehas plenty of engaging elements of its own, none of them quite reach the same heights as the other baseball movies the actor has used his talent for.
One of the actor’s most highly praised baseball movies isBull Durham, a romantic sports comedy about a minor league baseball team. While the film stars Tim Robbins in the primary role, Costner’s veteran player, Crash Davis, has plenty of memorable moments that bolster the movie’s story and themes. WhileFor Love of the Gamehas plenty of engaging elements of its own, none of them quite reach the same heights as the other baseball movies the actor has used his talent for. It’s also slightly hindered by a very different premise than his other sports films.
Why Kevin Costner Has Starred In So Many Baseball Movies
Kevin Costner is known for his iconic role in Yellowstone and a number of sports films, but his love for baseball almost prevented his acting career.
For Love Of The Game’s Love Story Also Contributed To Mixed Reception
However, Audiences Still Clearly Have A Fondness For It
WhileFor Love of the Gamefocuses on Costner’s Chapel pitching a perfect game against the Yankees,his motivation lies in a love story told between him and his girlfriend Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston).Their life together is told in a series of flashbacks, which interweave with the emotional resonance of his last game with the Tigers. However, it seems this difference may have contributed to its mixed critical reception, given the introspective nature of the film compared to other baseball movies.
Even so, it’s clear from the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score thatFor Love of the Gameis still a well-liked movie within Costner’s sports repertoire.While it may not be as acclaimed asField of DreamsorBull Durham, the movie stands on its own as a memorable final game for an aging baseball player.
For Love of the Game
Cast
For Love of the Game, directed by Sam Raimi, follows a veteran baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career. As he reflects on his past and personal life, he faces one final opportunity to showcase his skill and reconcile with the woman he loves.
