For Love of the Game

For Love of the Game is a heartwarming drama about love, life, and playing sports. Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner), a 40-year-old pitcher nearing the end of his distinguished 19-year career with the Detroit Tigers, faces a difficult decision when he's traded to the San Francisco Giants after the team's new owner sells it. Simultaneously, his girlfriend Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston) decides to leave him. During his last start of season, Billy reflects on his career and his relationship with Jane, detailing how they met five years earlier. As the game progresses Billy dominates the Yankees' batters while in the dugout resting between innings. He recalls shutting Jane out of his life after suffering a career-threatening injury in the off-season. Billy's shoulder pain has become intense; after he throws his first two pitches well out of strike zone; the manager makes the call to warm up two relief pitchers in the bullpen making an incredible comeback and throwing a strike. Before the Tigers take the field for the bottom of the ninth inning Billy, has some final ruminations about his career and his love for Jane. As he sits alone in his hotel room after the game, the realization sinks in that everything he has been doing for past 19 years is over Bob. Despite his amazing accomplishment Billy weeps not only for loss of baseball but also for Jane. The film follows Billy's emotional journey as he confronts job uncertainty and grapples with his personal life. Ultimately Billy and Jane reunite at the airport as they embrace new beginnings together.

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as For Love of the Game include Where the Heart Is, Life Is Beautiful, Meet Joe Black, Forrest Gump, Sideways, A Walk to Remember.

For Love of the Game was released in theaters on September 17, 1999.