NINE INNINGS FROM GROUND ZERO

Even for people like me who could give a hoot about America's pasttime of baseball, the sport occasionally grips the imagination of those of us who only go to games for people-watching and drinking rather than the game itself. One of those years that I found myself paying attention to the playoffs was in 2001. That autumn, the terrorist attacks of September 11th not only paralyzed the nation, but brought the baseball playoffs to a standstill. When the game finally started up again, professional baseball games became a sort of symbol of recovery—a symbol of "getting back to normal." So the fact that the ever-powerful New York Yankees were in the playoffs became a rallying point and distraction for New Yorkers (and America) from the smoking pile of rubble in the middle of their city.

The hour-long documentary Nine Innings From Ground Zero chronicles the Yankees' post-season, where they marched through the playoffs, and used their celebrity to lift New Yorkers' spirits. It is somber, with interludes and interviews from the workers at Ground Zero, and the fans clinging to the Yankees becoming symbolic as "America's Team." No matter how many times I see the 9/11 footage, it still makes me cringe. At the Yanks' home games, there was a tattered American flag waving proudly in the stadium—a flag that had been pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center, and a stark reminder of the recovery effort that was underway mere miles away.

There is a little humor in the film; the best being—I never thought I'd say this—an interview with George W. Bush, recounting how he threw out the first pitch at one of the games. Derek Jeter heckled him beforehand, warning him that if he threw a bad pitch, the crowd would boo him. Dubya threw well. The Yankees ended up losing in the World Series, ending an inspirational post-season. But don't worry, memory is short, and I believe they still hold the title for most hated team in baseball (Go Mariners!).

Reverse of the Curse of the Bambino is a lot more lighthearted, as it follows the Boston Red Sox's famous dry spell of World Series titles. After the Sox won the 1918 World Series, Babe Ruth (the Bambino) was traded to... yes, the New York Yankees, and it took another 86 years (and many close and frustrating tries), for the BoSox to finally win a Series in 2004. Funnily enough, the highlight of their World Series season was sweeping—yes—the Yankees. After being down three games to none in the American League finals, they swept 4-straight games from the Yankees, then blew through the World Series to become champs.

What is fun about this retrospective are the interviews with not only famous New Englanders (and lifelong fans) like comedians Dennis Leary and Stephen Wright, but the interviews with everyday fans, who are as memorable (and humorous) with their recollections of literally lifetimes of misery and disappointment over the curse... and their absolute shock at their famously-choking team finally winning. To see devoted fans rewarded for their unwavering loyalty is a treat, making this documentary enjoyable for non-baseball fans as well those who love the game.