The Rookie is a 2002 drama sports film directed by John Lee Hancock. It is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a brief, but famous Major League Baseball career in 1999. The film stars Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, and Brian Cox. The film tells the story of Jim Morris, the son of a career Navy man, who moves the family to a small Texas town. Jim is shown to be a very skilled pitcher as a youth, though his father disapproves of Jim's dream of making it to Major League Baseball. It is later mentioned that the town Jim's family moved to, Big Lake, has never cared for... baseball, thus, he was unable to play in high school. He later gets a chance when he is drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, but he tears his shoulder up, ending his hopes of achieving his lifelong dream. Years later in 1999, Morris, married with three children, is a high school science teacher as well as head baseball coach. His team, the Big Lake Owls, is very unsuccessful, with many of his players skilled, but unmotivated, especially with very little community support. One day, after practice, the team catcher offers to play catch with Morris.
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| Release date: | March 26, 2002 |
| Directed by: | John Lee Hancock |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 127 Minutes |
| Producer: | Mark Ciardi, Mark Johnson, Gordon Gray |
| Editor: | Eric L. Beason |
| Music by: | Carter Burwell |
| Cinematography: | John Schwartzman |
| Screenplay by: | Mike Rich |
| Estimated budget: | $24,000,000 |