Tom Selleck stars in the 1992 sports film, Mr. Baseball, which provides an excellent contrast between cultures, not only in athletics, but also life in general.
Having fallen upon hard times (most of his own doing) with the New York Yankees, Jack Elliott (Selleck) decides to try his fortunes playing in Japan. From the start, the differences in the two societies are evident, and Elliott struggles to adapt. Jack's often surly behavior clashes frequently with his new hosts, and it's only after he becomes romantically involved with a Japanese woman that he begins to grasp Japan's different attitudes and values.
Selleck is excellent in the role, his dry humor perfect for the many "fish-out-of-water" scenarios he finds himself involved in.
Mr. Baseball is wittily written and Fred Schepisi's direction effectively captures the quite different game of baseball, Japanese-style.
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