I read the novel back in the summer of 1970 and was a huge fan of the movie growing up watching it on TV maybe 35 times.  Of course I purchased the video when it came out and later the wide-screen version for DVD.  I'm a big fan of the music too and have the Original Broadway Cast LP.  The choreography in the movie was early Bob Fosse and the "Two Lost Souls" is very special.  The opening atmosphere of the movie like the novel was unforgettable and I especially love the small-town America feel about Joe's home.  My favorite part of the movie is Hardy's first AB as a pinch hitter beginning with the drama of the PA announcement.  The stuff of dreams.

I've been toying for years an idea about taking one of the Senators teams of the late 50s and including a Joe Hardy.  He'd be 'terrific off the boards' to say the least and having Roy Sievers batting behind Joe might reduce some of the intentional walking.  I'd add him according to the time frame of the movie and begin adjusting other Senator players as they respond to his presence (like modifying all clutch ratings to "terror" - improving defensive ratings - improving the stamina ratings of hurlers) to reflect Joe's impact on the team's belief that they could beat the Yankees and quite frankly, see if the DMB Senators could make a pennant run in a "what-if."

You know, as a kid I expected to see Joe Hardy listed in the baseball encyclopedia.