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In Charles Stone III’s plucky sports romp, comedian Bernie Mac plays an arrogant, self-interested slugger ostensibly fashioned in the mold of Barry Bonds and Albert Belle. Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Mac’s Stan Ross records his 3000th hit in 1995 (off Red Sox pitching, natch) and promptly quits on his team in the middle of a playoff race because he knows he’s going to the Hall of Fame (only 25 big-leaguers have reached the 3000 plateau) and hates the press. Nine years later, Stan "The Man" (no apologies to Mr. Musial, it seems) is set to sail into the Hall when a statistical recount reveals he had only 2997 hits. No 3000, no Cooperstown (the press does the voting), so at age 47 and with the Brewers in last place, Stan attempts a comeback. Much of what goes down in the clubhouse with the younger players (whom Stan dismisses as "Little Leaguers") is predictable, but Stone (Drumline and Paid in Full) and the team of writers keep the story moving in pleasantly unexpected directions. Mac is superb as the egomaniacal man boy finally getting his come-uppance and needing to change his game. Angela Bassett is a warm, sexy plus as a sportscaster and former love interest, and the uproarious riffs on Stan from ESPN help send this knuckleball over the wall. (104 minutes)
BY TOM MEEK
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