It’s always entertaining to watch a sports movie. It takes a lot to make a biography. The difficult task is to make a film about a baseball hall of famer, Grover Cleveland Alexander. The portrayal of this man, is well done by Ronald Reagan. It would seem to be an easy role to play, but it is not. Alexander; Alec, to his friends, was a flawed man. He was a great player, but he was an alcoholic. Reagan shows him as a young telephone lineman, who loves playing baseball. He loves his devoted wife, Aimee, (Doris Day),and has a good job. He is seen by baseball executives, who see his talent. He knows he will have to leave his good job, and work hard, for a chance to live his dream. Aimee supports him, and knows he can do it.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, becomes a star pitcher in baseball. He sets records and has the respect of his teammates. He, like many athletes, encounters injury, and stress, during his career. There are more than a few people, who become alcoholics. Alexander, becomes one, derailing his career. He drifts out of baseball, becoming a man, making money on his baseball stories. It is a testament to Ronald Reagan’s acting ability, that the audience sees, the decline of a successful man. While Alexander is wandering, we see his suffering wife. Doris Day, was not just a great singer; she was a very talented actress. The Winning Team, shows her ability as a dramatic actress. She was able to do many dramatic roles, working with such Hollywood icons, as James Stewart and James Cagney.
A colleague and friend, Rogers Hornsby, (Frank Lovejoy), finds out about Alexander. He is managing The St. Louis Cardinals. He reaches out to Alec, and offers him a job. Alexander accepts and ends up pitching in the seventh game of the 1926 World Series. Aimee is shown, desperately trying to get to the game. She finally does, and cheers relentlessly for her husband. Alexander becomes the hero of the series, striking out the last Yankee batter. He is reunited with Aimee, and his hall of fame plaque is shown.
Ronald Reagan, before he became president, was an actor. This film shows, that he wasn’t just a B actor. He was able to act well in several movies, and later television. He was able to transition into politics after his acting career. He got into a leadership role, while he was acting; becoming president of The Screen Actors Guild. Many actors have difficulty finding meaningful work, after their star status wanes, but not The Fortieth President of The United States of America.
This film, like Jim Thorpe:All American, shows how a person can overcome demons. This makes it more than a sports movie. It is a message of hope. It shows that a person, can, with support from a loving spouse, and friends; overcome their addiction. The Winning Team, should be seen, as an early example of Hollywood, tackling a major health issue. It can be appreciated for the true story of success, decline and redemption.