You Must Watch Brad Pitt’s ‘Moneyball’ If You Liked Kevin Costner’s ‘Draft Day’

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As the 2025 MLB season gets underway, with the NFL draft hot on its heels, two captivating sports movies have hit the screens that offer a timely, engaging perspective on how general managers (GMs) orchestrate their baseball and football teams. While both Kevin Costner’s “Draft Day” and Brad Pitt’s “Moneyball” delve into team-building and roster management, I found myself more drawn to the latter due to its true-life narrative, stellar performances that garnered awards, and a powerfully moving conclusion that left an indelible mark.

Both “Draft Day” and “Moneyball” delve into General Managers who aim to strike a balance between acquiring talent and considering cost-effectiveness to keep their teams competitive in the short and long term. Unlike “Draft Day,” which unfolds within a thrilling 13-hour time frame, “Moneyball” is an acclaimed film that received six Oscar nominations for its portrayal of real-life events. Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) revolutionized baseball analytics in the story told by “Moneyball,” impacting the game for years to come. In short, fans of “Draft Day” should definitely catch up on “Moneyball” as soon as possible.

‘Draft Day’s Premise & Appeal

Under the sharp guidance of Ivan Reitman, Draft Day focuses on Sonny Weaver Jr., the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns, who is now thrust into a challenging situation following his father’s passing just a week ago. Sonny Sr., a former coach for the Browns, had led the team to victory before Sonny Jr. made the difficult decision to dismiss him due to health concerns, at the request of his mother Barb (Ellen Burstyn).

Sonny finds himself under pressure from Anthony Molina, the Browns’ owner, and Vince Penn, the head coach, to choose Ray Jennings, a local football star, in today’s NFL Draft. With just 12 hours remaining, he must negotiate with the general managers of the other 31 NFL teams to make the most optimal selection. The Browns hold the seventh pick in the draft, which is not high enough for them to secure Bo Callahan, a promising quarterback prospect and a generational talent, who could revolutionize their 28th-ranked offense into a powerhouse if they manage to get him.

Another option under consideration for the seventh pick is standout linebacker Vontae Mack (played by Chadwick Boseman in a dynamic portrayal). This player possesses the leadership qualities that Callahan seems to lack. While Sonny is keen on drafting Mack at pick seven, he recognizes the need to make a bold move to secure his job and revitalize the team. Consequently, Sonny negotiated a trade with the Seattle Seahawks’ general manager, giving up the next three first-round picks in exchange for the #1 overall pick in this year’s draft. This daring move jeopardizes the team’s future, so Sonny can’t afford to misjudge the potential selection of Callahan.

In simple terms, the movie Draft Day successfully portrays the intense NFL draft experience, boasting a swift tempo and sleek editing. While it’s generally an excellent film, football enthusiasts who grasp the intricacies of the NFL draft, such as salary cap implications, team management strategies, scouting processes, PR tactics, and the nuances of running a professional team, will find it particularly appealing.

However, from a logical perspective, the movie contains some implausible elements that stretch credibility, with the main issue being the apparent disagreement between Sonny and Penn over their franchise’s future, which seems unlikely given their roles in the story.

‘Moneyball’ Tells Billy Beane’s Sacrificial Tale

Bennett Miller directed the movie “Moneyball,” penned by Academy Award-winning writers Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian. Unlike the completely fictional film “Draft Day,” “Moneyball” tells the story of the Oakland Athletics’ 2002 MLB season and its real-life figures such as coaches, players, scouts, and personnel department. The story revolves around Billy Beane (played by Pitt), the Oakland A’s General Manager who revolutionized baseball analytics by building a competitive team on a budget, while major market teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox spent twice as much.

Given that his financially strapped team struggles against powerhouses like the Yankees and Red Sox, Beane brings in Peter Brand (portrayed by Jonah Hill), a Yale-educated economist with sharp strategic skills who was instrumental in implementing sabermetrics for signing undervalued players. Interestingly, Brand is modeled after Paul DePodesta, now working for the Cleveland Browns, as depicted in the movie Draft Day. Following the departure of their top three players due to high-priced free agency contracts, Beane and Brand shift their strategy towards “small ball,” prioritizing base stealing, on-base percentage, and batting average over power hitting and home runs.

Initially, Beane and Brand faced the possibility of isolation due to their unconventional strategy in assembling a formidable team through the “Moneyball” method. However, this tactic proved fruitful during the 2002 season, resulting in the A’s securing their division title and qualifying for the playoffs. Remarkably, the Moneyball concept eventually extended beyond the baseball field when Beane was presented with a lucrative opportunity to apply it for the Boston Red Sox at an unprecedented salary of $12.5 million. Despite this tempting offer, Beane chose to stay loyal to the A’s and remain near his daughter, Casey (Kerris Dorsey).

Though they initially didn’t win the World Series with their strategy, the principles put forth by Beane and Brand were proven effective when the Red Sox triumphed in 2004 using the Moneyball method. The impact of Beane’s strategies is still evident in Major League Baseball today, as numerous professional teams have adopted the cost-efficient approach to team construction that he pioneered.

‘Moneyball’ Easily Beats ‘Draft Day’

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that while both “Moneyball” and “Draft Day” offer entertaining insights into sports management, “Moneyball” surpasses “Draft Day” in several aspects. The most striking difference lies in the realm of reality versus fiction. “Draft Day” is a fictional narrative about potential scenarios for an NFL franchise and top-tier college players. On the other hand, “Moneyball” is a true story about the events that unfolded with the Oakland Athletics in 2002 under Billy Beane’s leadership, and the broader trend it sparked throughout the league.

Regarding Costner’s character, it can be seen as a fictional creation striving for redemption while also setting the stage for future franchise growth. In contrast, Pitt delivers an authentic and sincere portrayal of the real-life Beane, adding emotional depth and raising the dramatic tension in the story. Alongside Beane, the film features genuine Oakland Athletics personalities such as Scott Hattberg (played by Chris Pratt) and Art Howe (portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman). The movie provides a detailed account of the entire 2002 MLB season, giving us an intimate look at the team’s inner workings.

The impact of the competitive scenario portrayed in “Moneyball” is far greater than that of “Draft Day,” and it’s important to note that the cinematic quality of “Moneyball” has also been recognized on a higher level. For instance, “Moneyball” was nominated for six Oscars, among them Best Picture, while its actors Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill received acting nominations, as did the screenplay adaptation by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian. In contrast, “Draft Day,” despite boasting a talented cast that includes Jennifer Garner, Sam Elliott, Terry Crews, Timothy Simons, Rosanna Arquette, and others, received no such accolades.

‘Moneyball’ Packs an Emotional Punch

In contrast to the climax of Draft Day, which is more action-packed, the ending of Moneyball carries a profound emotional impact. The movie concludes with a subtler form of tear-jerking drama. Billy Beane, having declined an offer to manage the Red Sox, drives in his car while listening to Lenka’s “The Show,” as his daughter sings. This moment becomes a poignant reflection on the sacrifices he made throughout his life and serves as a reminder of what truly matters.

This instance solidifies Beane’s understanding that family means more to him than wealth or baseball, with Pitt delivering an exceptional performance. The climax leaves a lasting impression, underscoring that unlike Sonny Weaver Jr. in Draft Day, Beane will always maintain his principles and never succumb to selling out or compromising his values.

Between the two, Moneyball offers a more authentic and impactful experience for sports enthusiasts compared to Draft Day. It boasts superior acting and a more intricate directing style that makes it the clear favorite.

Draft Day and Moneyball are available to stream on Peacock.

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2025-04-08 03:02