Remembering James Earl Jones and His Theatrical Baseball Roots: Classic Connection

by Anthony McClean | Sep 10, 2024 | 6TH SLOT

Iconic.

The word almost gets overused when speaking of the accomplishments and contributions of those in a chosen field. However, when reflecting on the impressive career of actor James Earl Jones, it’s clear that words like “iconic” don’t fully capture his extraordinary acting abilities.

The native of Mississippi passed away on Monday morning at the age of 93 at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by his family, according to longtime agent Barry McPherson.

Born in 1931, Jones overcame a childhood stuttering problem to become one of the greatest actors of his generation. Jones, whose powerful, deep voice brought to life the iconic villain of Darth Vader in “Star Wars” and Mufasa in “The Lion King,” acted for more than six decades.

He also won three Tony Awards, including a lifetime honor in 2017, two Emmys and a Grammy. 

The Academy Awards also recognized him for a lifetime achievement award in 2011. Whether he was portraying Paul Robeson on the stage or King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming To America”, Jones had a range that’s almost unequaled.

The Great White Hope

However, if there’s one constant throughout Jones’ career, it’s how sports related stories – mainly baseball – have been a major part of it. He won his first Tony Award in 1969 playing a boxer in “The Great White Hope”.

Based on the career of Jack Johnson, the former heavyweight champion, Jones portrayed the fictionalized character “Jack Jefferson”. The original play covered the controversies over his “Fight of the Century” with white challenger and ex-champ Jim Jeffries.

It also chronicled his marriage to first wife, Etta Terry Duryea, a white woman who would eventually commit suicide shortly after Jackson/Jefferson broke the sport’s color barrier by becoming the first black heavyweight champion.

In 1970, Jones would reprise the role in a screen adaptation of the play that gained him Oscar and Golden Globes nominations for best actor. A few years later, Jones would star in the first of his many baseball-related flicks.

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

In “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings”, Jones co-stars with Billy Dee Williams in a movie based on the life and times of a team of enterprising Negro Leaguers. Loosely based on William Brashler’s 1973 novel, the film explores the barnstorming aspect of the teams and other on and off the field challenges the players faced.

Williams’ and Jones’ roles were based on two of the Negro Leagues’ greatest stars. Jones played catcher Leon Carter, which was loosely based on Hall of Famer Josh Gibson. Williams, who played in the title role, is based on another Hall of Famer, Satchell Paige.

The movie, released in 1976, was loosely based on the Indianapolis Clowns and other barnstorming Negro baseball teams, who likewise engaged in Harlem Globetrotters-like clowning routines.

In fact, some former Negro League ballplayers, including former members of the Clowns would perform various stunts shown in the film. In 1987, Jones would win his second Tony Award in a play with more baseball overtones.

Fences

In August Wilson’s play “Fences”, Jones plays Troy, a former Negro baseball league player whose served as a garbageman. The play explores his bitterness towards his life and how it affects his loved ones, especially his son, Cory and wife, Rose.

Cory tells his family about an opportunity for a college football scholarship. Troy tells Cory he will not let his son play football for fear of racial discrimination, as Troy believes he experienced when he wanted a career in the major leagues. 

However, later on, it is suggested that Troy informed Cory’s coach that his son was no longer able to play football. When Cory discovers this, he and Troy get into a fight, resulting in Troy sending Cory to his room.

In one of the climatic scenes of the play, father and son argue about Troy’s actions, but Troy stubbornly does not back down from his argument and kicks Cory out of the house. The characters in the play build a fence over many years, and it’s only revealed to be finished in the final act.  

Field of Dreams 

Two years later, another baseball related project would cast Jones again. In “Field Of Dreams”, Jones co-stars with Kevin Costner in a sports fantasy/drama based on Canadian novelist W.P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel entitled “Shoeless Joe”.

The novel is based on the career of ex-Major Leaguer Joe Jackson focusing on his role in the fixing of the 1919 World Series. In the novel, Kinsella’s character hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field in the midst of his corn crop in order to give his hero, Jackson a chance at redemption. 

He blindly follows instructions, and the field becomes a conduit to the spirits of baseball legends. 

In the movie, Kostner plays Iowa farmer Ray, who builds a baseball field in his cornfield that attracts the ghosts of baseball’s past legends, including Jackson and his teammates from the scandal-ridden 1919 team.

The iconic line “If you build it, he will come” is the driving force of Ray’s actions.

Jones plays Terrence Mann, a controversial author and activist from the 1960s who is pursued by Costner regarding the phenomenon at his home. Initially, Mann is skeptical regarding Ray’s story.

However, after attending a game with Ray at Boston’s Fenway Park, Mann also admits to hearing the voice. Mann then decides to assist the farmer in spreading the word surrounding this incredible happening.

During the film, Jones delivered possibly the most famous baseball movie speech ever. The movie and speech have become so intertwined with the game that there have been two “Field of Dreams” games and MLB has even had players recite parts of Jones’ speech.

The 2024 Field Of Dreams Game Will Be Played At Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Where The Negro Leagues Legend Of Willie Mays Began

The Sandlot

Jones’ last baseball-related role would come in 1993 in “The Sandlot”. It tells the story of a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. Jones plays Mr. Mertle, a neighbor who resides near the Sandlot, and owner of a large dog in the neighborhood nicknamed “The Beast”.

After one of the kids hits a Babe Ruth autographed ball into Mr. Mertle’s backyard, they try to retrieve it. This leads to a hilarious scene in which “The Beast” breaks its chain and chases him through town. 

Eventually, they would be introduced to Mr. Mertle, who turns out to have been a baseball player and friendly rival of Ruth, having lost his sight after being hit by a pitch. He kindly trades them the chewed-up ball for one autographed by all the members of the 1927 New York Yankees’ “Murderer’s Row” lineup and asks them to visit every week to talk baseball.

The Legendary Works Of James Earl Jones Are Undeniable

When reflecting on Jones’ career, it is undeniable that his body of work is legendary. His work has gained recognition as a groundbreaker and pioneer for black actors who have followed in his footsteps. 

For fans of the game of baseball, his iconic speeches and portrayals will live forever. One of Jones’ many co-stars, Kevin Costner, spoke for many of his friends and fans upon hearing the news of death.

“That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams,” Costner said on X (formerly Twitter).

“If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role. Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a cornfield in Iowa. I’m grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen,” Costner continued. 

“Rest in peace, friend.”