This episode is the deep end of the sabermetric pool: payroll gaps, superstition lore, and the eternal heartbreak of rooting for a team that invents new ways to break your heart. Ocean, part pragmatist, part secret romantic, wants to believe in the Billy Beane revolution. Jim, a card-carrying Mariners fan and our resident stats nerd, mostly wants to know why his team is still waiting for the dance. Together, they go behind the curtain—sometimes gleefully, sometimes crankily—to ask: Did Moneyball ruin baseball or save it? Was Brad Pitt’s GM as good as his Achilles, his Tyler Durden, or… let’s just say, it’s better than Thelma & Louise but no Fight Club.

There are digressions—oh, there are digressions. Did the A’s 20-game win streak matter? Should managers wear suits or cleats? Is Philip Seymour Hoffman’s role here a “fart in the wind”? Should you ever, under any circumstances, compare Moneyball to Dolphin Tale? And most crucially: What’s the real metaphor behind a home run you didn’t know you hit? Ocean and Jim aren’t here to win the last game—they’re here for every weird, superstitious, data-driven, foul-ball-catching inning along the way.

If you love movies, sports, or just the sound of grown adults debating which Brad Pitt movie cracks the top ten, this one’s for you. And if you want the bonus content where the guys argue about actor filmographies until someone invokes Boogie Nights, you know where to find the membership link.

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But what if Shoeless Joe Jackson wasn’t the folk hero we make him out to be? What if these players weren’t victims of greedy owners and shady gamblers, but instead just a group of men who made a deeply human, deeply flawed choice? What if the real tragedy wasn’t that they were punished too harshly—but that they weren’t nearly clever enough in their deceit?

This is an episode about history, yes—but more than that, it’s about how we choose to remember. Ocean plays the skeptic, peeling away the mythos of Shoeless Joe and the halo around Buck Weaver. Jim plays the historian, a lover of the game trying to reconcile his boyhood baseball heroes with the adult realities of systemic corruption and personal failure. Along the way, they debate D.B. Sweeney’s acting choices, the legality of sports betting in 1919, and why Michael Rooker might be the perfect sleaze.

There’s a fight about Kevin Costner. A surprisingly heated discussion about catcher’s mitts. And a brilliantly meandering detour into whether White Men Can’t Jump qualifies as a sports gambling movie. This isn’t just about a film. It’s about what we talk about when we talk about baseball—and who we choose to forgive.

Because sometimes, the game isn’t just about wins and losses. Sometimes, the real story is the one we tell after the final inning.

Links & Notes

• Become a Member to get bonus episodes, deeper dives, and support the show.
• Join our Discord community to talk sports, movies, and the ones that got away.

Like, rate, review, and—most of all—share with someone who knows the difference between a real underdog and a Hollywood rewrite. See you on the court.

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It’s hard to overstate what Hoosiers means to a certain breed of sports movie fan. But do Ocean and Jim buy the hype? This week, Ocean, making his rookie appearance with the film, and Jim, decades removed from his last viewing, take the full-court press to Indiana’s mythic hardwood, looking for answers in small-town dust and the echo of slow claps. Is this the David and Goliath story you remember, or just a fairy tale draped in team colors and nostalgia? Turns out, for all the talk of underdogs, the real Goliath here might be the memory of watching sports movies when you were a kid.

Ocean’s never seen the film—Jim practically grew up with it—and that split leads to a conversation about how Hoosiers lands (or doesn’t) in 2024. They dig into the oddities: Gene Hackman’s “perpetually 80” aura, Dennis Hopper’s perhaps-unnecessary Oscar-nominated town drunk, the inexplicable lack of credit for military service in small-town Indiana, and, yes, the slow clap—Hoosiers or Lucas, which came first? There’s real warmth for the film’s spirit of community and second chances, but also an honest accounting for the ways time, distance, and real-life history have left some of the “true story” on the cutting room floor. Ocean and Jim ask: when you strip away the mythology, what are you really rooting for? And is that enough?

If you’ve ever wondered why sports movies are less about the game and more about who’s sitting in the stands—or if you just want to argue about who invented the slow clap—this is your episode.

Links:

• Become a Member to get bonus episodes, deeper dives, and support the show.
• Join our Discord community to talk sports, movies, and the ones that got away.

Like, rate, review, and—most of all—share with someone who knows the difference between a real underdog and a Hollywood rewrite. See you on the court.

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This week, Ocean Murff (forever the Adam to Jim Pullen’s Max, or vice versa—good luck keeping it straight) pick apart Real Steel with the unflinching eye of two guys who know exactly how sports movies manipulate us—and still find themselves getting a little misty when the underdog robot takes one on the chin. Or the servo. Or whatever robots have.

They start, naturally, with UFC nostalgia and the eternal debate: is it still a sport if no one’s bleeding? From there, it’s a hop, skip, and full-body mirroring routine to the movie’s big question: why does a film about robot boxing make you care about broken people? Is it just Jackman’s “Wolverine effect”—no matter how many bad decisions he makes, you still want to root for him? Or is it something more elemental, buried in the scrapheap of every father-son sports movie ever made?

Ocean, who sees a little too much dignity in a dented robot’s gaze, wonders if Real Steel is really the story of Adam, the world’s most underappreciated sparring bot, finally getting his shot at the title. Jim, ever the pragmatist, roots for the kid to sell his dad on the radical notion that he’s worth sticking around for. Somehow, everyone ends up caring about a metal man with no lines and a child who refuses to be left at the gym.

They detour into essential but unanswerable questions: How does Bailey’s gym stay open if no one ever shows up? Why does Aunt Debra, the only functional adult, get painted as a villain? And exactly how illegal is robot-fighting-betting if Anthony Mackie’s character runs the book in broad daylight?

Somehow, none of this derails the central thesis: Real Steel shouldn’t work, and yet it lands—if not a knockout, then at least a split decision that’ll keep you watching until the final bell. You’ll care about the robots. You’ll care about the kid. You’ll even care about Hugh Jackman’s comeback arc, despite every screenwriting trick you can see coming a mile away.

Is this the next great sports movie? Ocean and Jim aren’t here to answer that. But they’ll make you believe that somewhere, in a gym that should be bankrupt, a robot named Adam is still dreaming of a title shot.

Listen. Disagree. Then admit you got a little choked up, too.

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This is a play-by-play from two guys who know the smell of stadium nachos and the sacred geometry of the underdog arc. Ocean recounts a real-life Rose City Rollers bout—600 strong in a Portland warehouse—and frames the chaos with a journalist’s eye and a fan’s heart. Jim’s got questions. About penalties. About player names. About why Lauren Much didn’t skate that night. And together, they break down not just the sport, but the spirit that keeps it rolling.

Of course, they tackle the film’s plot: Bliss Cavendar, the small-town Texas teen who trades pageants for pads and becomes Babe Ruthless. But they’re really after something deeper—the tension between expectation and ambition, the line between rebellion and identity, and the way a mother’s reluctant blessing can carry more weight than a gold medal.

They question whether the movie’s final bout matters as much as the heartbreak that precedes it. They wonder if roller derby’s fake-outs and body blows are a metaphor, or just a damn good time. And of course, they trade derby names—because how else do you honor a sport where every player is part athlete, part alter ego?

If you’ve ever felt torn between who you’re told to be and who you might become, if you’ve ever yelled “We’re number two!” and meant it with all your heart, this one’s for you. Strap in. This one hits like a Witch Slap and lingers like a bruised memory.

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But every so often, the improbable happens. A pitcher stands alone on the mound, the weight of history pressing down, and achieves something transcendent: a perfect game.

This week, Ocean Murff and Jim Pullen review For Love of the Game, the 1999 Kevin Costner film that is as much about loss as it is about baseball. It is a film where the act of throwing a baseball is about memory, regret, and the search for meaning in the final moments of a career. It is about what happens when the thing that has defined you for decades is slipping away, and you have to decide—right there, on the mound—what comes next.

What happened to baseball’s grip on the American imagination? In 1999, the sport was still a cultural monolith, capable of stopping a city in its tracks. Today, it struggles to command attention beyond its most loyal devotees. Why? What changed? And does For Love of the Game inadvertently capture the last gasp of baseball’s golden era?

In this episode, Ocean and Jim approach the film’s love story, its poetic treatment of baseball, and its place in the broader shift of America’s relationship with its so-called national pastime. Along the way, they reflect on the myth of the perfect game, the unseen forces shaping modern sports, and whether baseball—like Billy Chapel—has already played its final masterpiece.

Links & Notes

• Become a supporting Member

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Ocean Murff and Jim Pullen set out on an odyssey of their own, peeling back the layers of myth and spectacle surrounding Hidalgo, the 2004 film that dares to ask whether a man and his horse can outrun not just their rivals, but their own pasts. At first glance, Hidalgo is a sports movie—an underdog story set against the backdrop of a 3,000-mile endurance race across the Arabian desert. But is that all it is? Or is it something stranger, something more elusive?

Frank T. Hopkins, as the film would have you believe, was a legend—part cowboy, part Lakota warrior, a man who rode his mustang into history. But reality, as Ocean and Jim discover, is far messier. What if the race never happened? What if the stories were never more than stories? What if, in the grand tradition of American myth-making, Frank Hopkins was less a historical figure and more a talented fabulist, a man who understood that the right story, told the right way, could become indistinguishable from truth?

This episode is about a film. But it’s also about the nature of belief. It’s about why we cling to legends even when the facts refuse to cooperate. It’s about what happens when a lie is so beautifully constructed that we want—desperately—to believe in it anyway.

Because Hidalgo isn’t just the name of a horse. It’s an idea. And ideas, as history has shown us time and again, can be more powerful than reality itself.

Links & Notes

• Become a supporting member Today!
• More episodes of The Adrian Moment
• The Long Rider's Guild on Frank T. Hopkins

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They take us on a journey through the myth and meaning of Rocky IV. They dive deep into the movie’s audacious assertion that a single man—armed with nothing but a relentless work ethic, an ox yoke, and a speech about change—could dissolve the iron grip of the Cold War. Along the way, they dissect Apollo Creed’s unforgettable entrance, the morality of Ivan Drago, and the unrelenting power of training montages scored to 80s rock ballads. But the real question remains: was this just a movie… or something more?

Drawing on historical context, personal anecdotes (Ocean once believed the fight was live on Christmas Day), and even a conspiracy theory that suggests Reagan’s administration might have had a hand in the film’s Cold War messaging, Ocean and Jim take you beyond the surface of this cinematic masterpiece. This isn’t just a discussion about a movie—it’s an investigation into the power of storytelling, propaganda, and the human spirit.

Can a film really end a war? Could Rocky Balboa have been a secret Cold War diplomat? And what can Rocky IV teach us about the enduring appeal of underdogs, heroes, and the triumph of the human will? Ocean and Jim are here to find out.

Put on your gloves. Step into the ring. And get ready for the bout of the century.

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This isn't your typical sports movie dissection. Ocean and Jim explore the film's surprisingly complex layers. They ponder the curious case of Paul Blake, the 34-year-old freshman quarterback, and question his motivations for returning to the academic pressure cooker. They dissect the almost Shakespearean villainy of Dean Elias, whose disdain for the sport fuels a hilariously absurd prison scrimmage. And, of course, they celebrate the comedic genius of Sinbad, whose performance transcends mere acting and becomes a force of nature.

But beneath the surface of slapstick and one-liners, Ocean and Jim find a deeper truth. Necessary Roughness, they argue, is a "sick movie," a cinematic balm for weary minds. It's a film that doesn't demand intense scrutiny, but rather invites you to surrender to its goofy charm. It’s a testament to the enduring power of laughter, a reminder that sometimes, the best way to confront life's rough patches is with a healthy dose of absurdity.

Join Ocean and Jim as they navigate the complexities of Necessary Roughness, uncovering the hidden gems within this seemingly simple sports comedy. They explore the film's surprising relevance to the modern era of NIL deals and the evolving landscape of college athletics. They grapple with the film’s uneven character development, questioning whether its comedic ambitions overshadow its potential for deeper emotional resonance. And they celebrate the film’s enduring appeal, its ability to transport us to a simpler time when the stakes were lower and the laughs were louder.

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The discussion then turns to the 1993 film "The Program," a cinematic exploration of the complexities of college football. Ocean shares a personal connection with the character of Steve Latimer, portrayed by Andrew Bryniarski, a player who uses steroids in pursuit of athletic success. This prompts a thoughtful examination of the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes under pressure, the temptations of performance-enhancing drugs, and the often-unseen pressures within the college sports system. Ocean and Jim dissect Latimer's motivations, questioning whether his choices are driven by team loyalty or personal ambition. They also discuss a controversial deleted scene, depicting players lying in traffic, and its real-life consequences, raising questions about the influence of media on behavior. Join Ocean and Jim for a thought-provoking conversation about the enduring appeal of football and the ethical challenges it presents.

This episode includes an extended bonus section normally reserved for supporting members of the show dissecting the final play. If you want more bonus content just like it, please support The Adrian Moment with your own subscription at TruStory.fm/join today!

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Having inadvertently laid claim to authorship of the film's most memorable dialogue, Ocean and Jim proceed to dissect the movie's enduring appeal. They grapple with the film's complex themes: the seductive allure of the hustle, the corrosive nature of self-sabotage, the delicate dance of relationships, and, of course, the thorny issue of racial stereotypes in sports. They ponder whether the central hustle, predicated on the assumption that white men lack basketball prowess, would still fly in today's NBA landscape, a world devoid of a contemporary Larry Bird. They delve into the intricacies of Billy Hoyle's character, exploring the nuances of his gambling habit and the blurred lines between calculated risk and impulsive self-destruction. And, in a moment of unexpected profundity, they contemplate the film's surprisingly nuanced portrayal of Gloria, a woman grappling with her own ambitions in the shadow of her partner's erratic pursuits.

This episode of "The Adrian Moment" isn't just a conversation about a movie; it's a journey into the labyrinth of memory, a meditation on the subtle ways in which our cultural landscape shapes our identities. It's a story about two guys, a 90s classic, and the uncanny realization that sometimes, life imitates art in the most peculiar ways. 

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Ocean and Jim dissect the film's merits as both a sports film and a political drama. They debate whether "Invictus" truly qualifies as a sports movie, given its primary focus on Mandela's efforts to heal a nation rather than the intricacies of the game itself. The hosts acknowledge the film's powerful depiction of reconciliation, highlighting scenes where former enemies, both on and off the field, find common ground through their shared love for their country.

The conversation explores the effectiveness of Mandela's approach, his ability to transcend racial barriers and unite a nation through his unwavering belief in the power of forgiveness and understanding. Ocean and Jim marvel at Mandela's charisma and leadership, noting how he navigates the complexities of post-apartheid South Africa with grace and determination.

Ultimately, "Invictus" serves as a poignant reminder of the unifying power of sports and its ability to transcend political and social divides. Ocean and Jim leave listeners pondering the film's message of hope and the potential for healing in a world often fractured by difference.

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The conversation shifts to the film "Borg vs McEnroe," a depiction of the legendary 1980 Wimbledon final. Ocean and Jim explore the different approaches to greatness displayed by the two tennis icons, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. Borg's meticulous routine and McEnroe's passionate vision provide a compelling look at what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the sport. The hosts appreciate the film's focus on the athletes' inner drives and the dramatic tension leading up to their epic showdown.

Ocean and Jim also reflect on how the movie captures the contrasting personalities of Borg and McEnroe. They discuss Borg's transformation from a fiery youth to a composed champion, as well as McEnroe's notorious on-court antics. The episode delves into how these elements make for a captivating narrative, even for those who aren't die-hard tennis fans. Whether you're a seasoned tennis enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this episode offers insightful perspectives on the sport and the film that captures one of its most iconic moments.

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Enter Jim Pullen and Ocean Murff. This week, the duo dive headfirst into the heart and soul of "Miracle," unearthing a newfound appreciation for the film's nuanced storytelling and authentic portrayal of the sport.

For Pullen, a lifelong hockey player, the movie struck a chord on a deeply personal level. "This movie is like, I don't know, just brought back a lot of memories, a lot of sights and sounds growing up as a child in this era of hockey," he reminisced, citing the film's painstaking attention to detail, right down to the vintage equipment.

But it was Murff, the hockey neophyte, who perhaps best articulated the film's universal appeal. "You have so many other things to grab onto, not only the story of the journey of the team," he marveled, praising the movie's deft handling of coach Herb Brooks' unorthodox team-building strategies and the personal journeys of players like Jim Craig and Mike Eruzione.

"Miracle" is more than just a sports movie - it's a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and bring people together. Whether you're a hockey fanatic or a casual observer, the film's themes of perseverance, unity, and the triumph of the underdog are sure to leave a lasting impact.

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The Von Erichs were a prominent wrestling family in the 1960s through the 1980s, primarily associated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) based in Atlanta. The family patriarch, Fritz Von Erich, was a big “motto” guy: if they were the toughest, strongest, and most successful kids, nothing could ever hurt them. This mantra became a driving force for the brothers, particularly Kevin and Kerry, as they pursued their wrestling careers.

The family was plagued by tragedy, and the film delves into the personal struggles and misfortunes that befell it, highlighting the contrast between their public success and private turmoil.

"The Iron Claw" offers a glimpse into the complex world of professional wrestling and the personal lives of one of its most iconic families. The film's exploration of the Von Erichs' trials and triumphs provides a thought-provoking look at the price of fame and the enduring bonds of family.

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They especially appreciate the movie's highly quotable dialogue, citing several of their favorite amusing lines delivered by the colorful cast of characters. They also touch on some of the film's subplots, like the main character's struggle to be a good cheer captain and a scam artist who sells the same cheer routines to multiple squads.

But is it a sport? It's subjectively judged which, for one on our team, makes for a challenge. You’ll have to listen in to hear if the case for athleticism and dedication makes it a legitimate sporting pursuit, even if it doesn't fit the definition of objective scoring.

It’s a nostalgic look back at this iconic teen movie and to hear Ocean and Jim's takes on what makes it such an enduring comedy favorite. Spirit fingers at the ready!

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Ocean, a longtime UFC fan, shares his thoughts on how the film portrayed mixed martial arts, praising its respect for the sport while acknowledging some of the more fantastical elements added for dramatic effect. He notes that while not all the moves seen in the movie are common in real UFC fights, they fall within the realm of what's possible and allowed.

Jim, who was less familiar with the film, expresses his pleasant surprise at the engaging fight scenes and overall storytelling. The two hosts analyze specific moments in the movie, comparing them to real-life UFC experiences and debating the practicality of certain techniques.

Throughout the episode, Ocean and Jim offer insights into the evolution of UFC and MMA, touching on rule changes, famous fighters of the era, and the sport's journey into the mainstream. For fans of UFC, MMA, and sports movies, this episode of "The Adrian Moment" provides an entertaining and informative look at the intersection of real-life fighting and its portrayal on the big screen.

Links & Notes

• • Warrior: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

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Throughout the episode, Ocean and Jim explore various aspects of the film that resonated with them. Jim expresses his fascination with the portrayal of Ford executives as the "villains" of the story, highlighting their initial reluctance to fully invest in the development of their own racing vehicle. The hosts also touch on the allure of Ferrari's brand compared to Ford's mass-produced cars, emphasizing the prestige and rarity associated with the Italian automaker.

Ocean and Jim delve into the engineering genius of Ken Miles, played by Christian Bale, and his crucial role as both a skilled driver and an invaluable source of feedback for the Ford racing team. They discuss the challenges of communication between the driver and the pit crew during the era in which the film is set, and how Miles' expertise was essential to the success of the GT40 program.

The hosts also express their admiration for the film's stunning racing sequences and the incredible endurance required to compete in a 24-hour race like Le Mans. Ocean and Jim's lively discussion offers listeners an engaging look at "Ford v Ferrari" and the world of auto racing, making this episode a must-listen for fans of the film and the sport alike.

Links & Notes

• • Ford v Ferrari: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

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Ocean and Jim explore the film's central theme of hero worship and how it influenced public perception of Mantle and Maris as they chased the iconic record. The hosts examine the portrayal of the two players and the media's role in shaping the narrative surrounding their pursuit.

The pair also delves into the controversy surrounding the asterisk placed next to Maris' record due to the extended 162-game season. They consider how the conversation might have differed if Mantle had been the sole contender and discuss the significance of the record in the context of baseball history.

Throughout the episode, Ocean and Jim offer their insights and impressions of the film, analyzing its depiction of a pivotal moment in the sport's past. Listen to the latest episode of The Adrian Moment for an engaging look at "61*” and its representation of a memorable chapter in baseball history.

Links & Notes

• • 61*: Apple • Amazon • JustWatch

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Why do sports films captivate us? How do they speak to the competitor deep inside? Can a great sports flick make you fall in love with a game you never cared for?

Join lifelong friends and film fanatics Ocean Murff and Jim Pullen as they go deep into the psychology, storytelling, and raw emotional power of the greatest sports movies ever made.

Laugh and cry with them as they re-live the agonizing defeats, underdog triumphs, coaching miracles, and adrenaline-soaked championship glory only the big screen can deliver. From tales of individual perseverance to the bonds of teamwork, Ocean and Jim break down just how sports films distill the human experience like no other genre.

Strap in for a cinematic thrill ride covering everything from boxing to baseball, hockey to horse racing. You'll never see sports—or sports movies—the same way again. The whistle blows on The Adrian Moment.

Welcome to The Adrian Moment, a podcast about sports movies with Ocean Murff and Jim Pullen on TruStory FM. New episodes coming in May 2024.