I initially planned on doing an in depth review of the film, but I decided against it due to the fact that I figure that anyone reading 90 Feet of Perfection has already seen the film or will see it. So really, my opinion of the film is irrelevant. I will say this though: The film was amazing and I can not wait to see it again. The Baseball played has to be some of the most realistic I have ever seen in a movie, the uniforms were on point, and the players and background characters all seemed to be historically correct. Also, there were some awesome Easter eggs thrown in here and there for all the fans of baseball history like myself.

Without a doubt, my favorite part of the film has to be the fact that both Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds were featured  in amazing detail. I honestly watched in awe during these scenes as it made me feel as if I were there in 2013 looking at these legendary Baseball parks. I can’t wait for the DVD comes out to see all the bonus footage that wasn’t used in the theatrical version of the film, there is bound to be a ton of it. That’s really all I will say about the film, just watch it. I promise you won’t regret it whatsoever.

In typical 90 Feet of Perfection fashion, to celebrate the release of “42″ and (late) Jackie Robinson Day, I’m going to share some photos which I enjoy and that think you will as well.

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1946. Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson pose for a photo during Jackie’s time with the Montreal Royals. The Montreal club was the AAA affiliate for the Brooklyn Dodgers and is where Jackie initially broke the color barrier. His time in Montreal is documented quite well in “42″ and one of the most enjoyable aspects of the film.

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April 15th, 1947. Jackie Robinson leaves Ebbets Field after his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. This may be one of the coolest photos I have ever come across.

(Thanks to It’s A Long Season for sharing this gem)

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Jackie Robinson poses with Connie Morgan of the Negro League Indianapolis Clowns. Connie was one of three women to play in the Negro Leagues, along with Toni Stone and Mamie Johnson.

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Jackie takes a swing against the Philadelphia Athletics during the 1951 Hall Of Fame Game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. The Dodgers beat the A’s that day, 9 to 4.

In my opinion, it’s a damn shame that the Hall Of Fame Game was eliminated after the 2008 season, I always thought it was a very cool game. While the Hall of Fame Classic, an exhibition game between Hall of Famers and other retired ball players is neat, it’s just not the same.

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1946. Another great photo of Jackie during his time with the Montreal Royals. I will never get sick of photos of his time in Montreal.

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A great photo of Jackie during his time at Pasadena Junior College. He graduated from PJC in spring of 1939 and then transferred to UCLA where he played Baseball, basketball, football, and track. By his own admission, Baseball was always Jackie’s worst sport and actually not even the first sport he played professionally as he played football for a short period of time after leaving college.

“You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen.” - Joe DiMaggio

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“I think there should be bad blood between all clubs.” – Earl Weaver

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“They can’t ever say now that a gay man can’t play in the majors, because I’m a gay man and I made it.” – Glenn Burke

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“There’s only one way to become a hitter. Go up to the plate and get mad. Get mad at yourself and mad at the pitcher.” – Ted Williams

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“Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he’s losing; nobody wants you to quit when you’re ahead.” – Jackie Robinson

Brothers Lloyd Waner (L) and Paul Waner (R) pose together during their time as members of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Waner brothers hold the record for most combined career hits by a pair of brothers with 5611 are both in the Hall of Fame. I really, really like this photo.

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A great photo of a young Pete Rose during his early years with the Reds. That uniform is simply amazing.

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1971 ALCS, Game 2. Bert Campaneris of the A’s throws his bat at Tigers pitcher Lerrin LaGrow after being hit in the ankle by a pitch. A bench clearing brawl proceeded to erupt after the incident, in which Tigers Manager Billy Martin had to be restrained from specifically going after Campaneris. After the game, Martin had this to say to the media when asked about the brawl:

“I don’t know what that idiot was thinking. He may have to talk to his psychiatrist to find out. You can bet your ass I was going out there for him. I’m not going to get after him now, but if there’s ever another fight out there, I’m going out there and find him and beat the shit out of him.”

Campaneris felt that the Tigers purposely went after him as he had already scored 2 runs on 3 hits, and stole 2 bases in his first 3 at-bats of the game. After the game, he addresses the media as well:

“I did not try to hit him with the bat. If I wanted to hit him, I would throw it more sidearm than overhand. I just wanted to warn him not to do that again to me.”

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The Polo Grounds at night. While I initially thought this was an interesting photo due to my interest in the Polo Grounds, what really got my Baseball juices flowing is when I realized that I believe Roberto Clemente is in the on deck circle. That sure looks like his #21 jersey to me, although my vision may not be what it once was.

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When I found this photo it was described as “Dom DiMaggio and unidentified San Diego Padres player.” After some sleuthing, I discovered that the unidentified player is Dom Dallessandro. I figured this out after realizing thats 1939 was the only year the Padres wore that specific uniform while DiMaggio was still in the Pacific Coast League. After that I just had to match his face to photos of the 1939 team. I suppose this was not too hard…and yes I am aware of how nerdy that is.

With all that said, I really like this photo due to the fact that it’s from the old PCL and quite clear and candid. I assume that DiMaggio and Dallessandro both posed for the photo due to the fact they were Italian-American players with the same first name (and initials). I’m sure the fact that both players had amazing seasons in 1939 which in turn propelled them to the big leagues had something to do with the photo as well.

May 2nd, 2012. Jonny Gomes and Josh Reddick of the Athletics celebrate after beating the Red Sox in Fenway Park. Both teams wore their 1936 throwback uniforms that night and as far as I’m concerned, Oakland’s grey and blue Philadelphia throwbacks were way cooler. On a side note, I still plan on buying both team’s caps from this night.

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May 2nd, 2009. Ichiro Suzuki sports a 1939 Seattle Rainiers uniform during a Pacific Coast League throwback game against the A’s. Oakland wore 1939 Oakland Oaks uniforms that day. As far as I am concerned, Ichiro looks awesome no matter what uniform wears; even if it’s the Yankees pinstripes.

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June 30th, 2012. Joe Mauer of the Twins in a 1951 Minneapolis Millers throwback and Eric Hosmer of the Royals in a 1951 Kansas City Blues throwback. I really, REALLY like that Millers uniform. To add some perspective on both teams that were honored, the ’51 Millers featured a young centerfielder named Willie Mays and the ’51 Blues featured a young centerfielder named Mickey Mantle.

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May 29th, 2010. Jason Bay of the Mets wears a New York Cubans throwback in a game against the Brewers. The Mets brought back the Cubans throwbacks again later that season during an August game against the Pirates. I love the red on grey so much on these uniforms.

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June 11th, 2011. Anthony Rizzo of the Padres hits his first career homerun in a game against the Washington Nationals. San Diego wore their 1936 PCL throwbacks that day, while the Nats wore 1936 Washington Senators throwbacks. As an unabashed fan of the Padres and their history, I have no problem saying that those 1936 PCL throwbacks are my favorite of all time.

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July 23rd, 2011. Skip Schumaker of the St. Louis Cardinals wears an amazing St. Louis Stars throwback in a game against the Pirates during a Negro League recognition day. Pittsburgh wore Homestead Grays throwbacks that day, which is one of my favorite uniforms of all time.

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April of 1994. Robby Thompson and Mark McGwire honor their Bay Are Pacific Coast League ancestors in the annual “Bay Bridge” exhibition series; which takes place every season prior to opening day. I’ve posted about this specific game before and I always love finding new photos from it. I could be wrong, but I believe this may have been the first PCL throwback day by Major League Baseball teams.

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A great photo of Ted Williams during his time as Manager of the Washington Senators. I’ve read stories about him taking BP with his players during these years and hitting balls out of the park with ease. This is something I would have loved to of seen.

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August 24th, 1940. Ted Williams hops on the mound during a blowout to pitch two innings against the Detroit Tigers. I previously posted a photo of this famous moment HERE with more information, but was delighted to find this photo as it is more clear and close up. I assume that a photographer got close to the mound during his warm up pitches and snapped this gem.

Fun fact: I recently learned that Joe Glenn was the Catcher during Williams’ pitching appearance. As it turns out, Glenn was also the Catcher for Babe Ruth during his last career pitching appearance in 1933. So incredibly cool.

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April 14th, 1939. Six days before his Major League debut, Ted Williams hit a homerun in his first at-bat as a member of the Boston Red Sox. This came during an exhibition game against the College of Holy Cross Baseball team in Worcester Massachusetts at Fitton Field. Once again, I previously posted about this (HERE & HERE) but the photos I used were not as nice as this one. Give this one a click to get some nice detail of this notable moment in the life of Teddy Ballgame.

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Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams and Dom DiMaggio all leap together for the camera. While this kind of photo is common from this era, I find this one particularly special as it captures 3/4 of “The Teammates.” When I say that, I am speaking of Doerr, Williams, DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky. If Pesky was included in the photo above, I’d have to get this photo framed and put on my wall.

One of my ALL-TIME favorite books is “The Teammates: A Portrait of a Friendship” by David Halberstam. It chronicles all four of these players from their young years on the West Coast, to their days with the Red Sox, and into their golden years. It’s a great book which is written incredibly well. Anyone who will love a heart warming story about friendship and Baseball is sure to enjoy this book. I warn you though, if you read it you may find yourself getting a little misty eyed at one point or another.

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October 5th, 1941.  Ted Williams takes part in batting practice prior to an exhibition game at Lane Field in San Diego, California. Williams played at Lane Field in 1936 & 1937 as a member of the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League, so it’s safe to say that he was already quite familiar with the park.

According to Baseball historian Bill Swank, this is the FIRST color action photos of Williams. Check out Swank’s blog HERE and his impressive list of books he has both authored and co-authored HERE.

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Ted Williams playing left field in what I believe is Fenway Park. Not too much to say here besides the fact that I was excited to come across this as not too many photos of him actually playing in the outfield seem to be out there.