The Battered Bastards of Baseball
The Battered Bastards of Baseballhttps://nyafilm12.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MV5BMjE0NDQwNTU2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDg1MDUyMjE@._V1_SX675_CR00675999_AL_.jpg
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The Battered Bastards of Baseball
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The Battered Bastards of Baseball is one of baseball's last great, unheralded true stories. In 1973, Hollywood veteran Bing Russell (best known for pl...aying 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. Show More

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The Battered Bastards of Baseball tells the remarkable true story of the Portland Mavericks, a team that defied the odds and became one of the most beloved underdogs in baseball history. In 1973, Bing Russell, a Hollywood veteran best known for his role on Bonanza, founded the Mavericks, the only independent baseball team in America at the time. Despite lacking a Major League affiliation and playing in a city considered a wasteland for professional baseball, the Mavericks thrived under Bing's leadership.

The tryouts for the Mavericks were open to the public, attracting rejected hopefuls from across the country. Against all expectations, the Mavericks achieved unprecedented success, breaking attendance records and even signing Bing's son, Kurt Russell, as a player and team Vice President. The Mavericks also made history by hiring the first female general manager in baseball and launching the controversial career of Jim Bouton.

The Battered Bastards of Baseball showcases the Mavericks' independent spirit and their refusal to conform to the sports establishment. Their in-your-face attitude was infectious to fans, and during their reign, they held up a metaphorical middle finger to the traditional way the game was played. In many ways, they were the real-life Bad News Bears.

This documentary explores not only the triumphs and struggles of the Mavericks but also captures the essence of the independent spirit in America. It is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and the love of the game.