Bye Week Friday Field of Dreams
Feels like a feelingspost-filled weekend. My castmate and UM alum James Earl Jones said it well. John U. Bacon's statement that Dave Brandon sees Michigan football as a brand, when really it's a religion. Fans will pay to see good football in an environment they revere.
"People will come, Ray. They'll come to Ann Arbor for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up Main Street, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your gates as innocent as children, longing for the past. 'Of course, we won't mind if you have a look around,' you'll say. 'It's only 85 dollars for our valued guests, 20 if you're a student of this fine institution.' They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect Saturday afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the sidelines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been Michigan football. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But Michigan football has marked the time. This stadium, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come."
Go Blue.
October 17th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
Castmate? Are you Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta or Amy Madigan? Or crap - with your user name - are you ghostly Burt Lancaster!?
Just let us know in the comments. It will be our little secret.
October 17th, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^
Why can't he just be Moonlight Graham. It's a true story isn't it???
October 17th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^
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October 17th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
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October 17th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
Tremendous post.
October 17th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
Don't we need a catcher?
Not if you get it near the plate we don't.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
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October 17th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
Don't know if it's still around (I think they tore it down), but it's in the middle of absolutely nowhere. I was in Iowa for a Martial Arts tourney and it wasn't a far drive.
If you build it...
October 17th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
and it was still set up as it was during the movie, aside from a DB-style money grab of a stand selling memoribilia from the movie, t-shirts and such. The movie's 25th anniversary was this year and they had a big to-do there where Kevin Costner and a few other cast members played a game. Bob Costas was there too, IIRC. It was cool to visit there, but MAN you have to drive a long way into the corn fields to find it. Definitely off the beaten path.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^
I went there with my family about 10 years ago, when the actual field was on the property of two different farms (I think one family bought out the other). I was mindful of that fact so I made sure to buy souvenirs from both families since admission was free.
It is really a magical place, although I am told it is less magical when the crops rotate to soybeans. It is really out of the way, but it is worth it. When we were there they had gloves balls and bats you could use. We played catch, ran the bases, and of course walked into the corn. It was great to see Shoeless Joe and the gang.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
This is my most special place in all the world, Ray. Once a place touches you like this, the wind never blows so cold again. You feel for it, like it was your child. - Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham
October 17th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
Saw this in May 1989, when I was in Sacramento for my Dad's funeral. After an emotional weekend full of sadness and sympathy, my sister and I needed a break, so we decided to catch a movie, and this one sounded pretty good. And it was - right up to the point where Costner says, "Dad ... do you wanna have a catch?"
Hoo boy - we both lost it. I mean, there wasn't enough Kleenex in her purse for both of us. Good movie, but our timing left a lot to be desired.
October 17th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
I am sorry about your father. I know it's been many years, but those emotions remain very raw for a long time.
My wife and I went to see "There's Something About Mary" after I found out I was being laid off from a company I had worked for a number of years. It had received great reviews and looked funny. In other words: exactly what I needed.
I was wrong. Nothing was probably going to cheer me up at that moment and to this day, I still can't stand the movie even though I've seen it again.
October 17th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
If Michigan Football is your religion I’d say you have a false hope. It is a business, and for the participants it is something to do and or a career path. Personally my hope and faith is in Jesus Christ. Football is just something to watch on Saturday’s, and I personally think overpriced to watch live.
The best seat in the house is in the living room in front of the HD TV, maybe with friends or alone. No parking, no dealing with the crowds. The bathroom is just a short walk away. There is no line. You have your choice of a large selection of snacks available if you want it, even a beer if you wish. You didn’t just pay whatever outrageous price is now being charged for a below average pretzel or hot dog. You don’t have to go up and down 200 stairs to get them. At halftime if you have buddies there you can go out and throw the football around, even play a game of touch.
When the game is over you turn off the TV and your done. You can watch another game or do any one of 100 things other than fight the crowds more to get to your car, and then maybe sit in a traffic jam and spend an hour or much longer getting home. If you want some fresh air you can just take a nice stroll after the game in the peace and quiet of your own neighborhood.
It is good to hear the band live though.
Daryl
October 17th, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^
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October 17th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 6:57 PM ^
One of the only movies that makes me cry, pretty much every time I watch it. I can't make it through the "have a catch" scene without losing it.
Love ya Dad....even though I was awful at baseball, I miss our games of catch!
And yeah, that's one of the best "soliloquies" in movie history.