MovieChat Forums > The Scout (1994) Discussion > Inspire by the Sidd Finch Hoax?

Inspire by the Sidd Finch Hoax?

posted 17 years ago by sNiPeR16-2
3 replies | jump to latest

I just read the story about Sidd Finch hoax and I asked to myself if this movie was inspired by that.

For the people who don't know the Sidd Finch, this is hoax article printed in Sports Illustrated in April 1, 1985 as April's Fools Day. The story titled "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch", was about a New York Mets prospect pitcher, who can throws 168 mph fastball and had weird habits like: wearing only one shoe while pitching, a heavy hiker's boot. Finch fictional life was very interesting: Orphan, adopt by an archaeologist who died in a plane crash in Nepal. Finch goes to Harvard university before goes to Tibet to learn "yogic mastery of mind-body," who was the source of his pitching power. Few days after this article, Sport Illustrated, announced the retirement of MLB of Finch. Few days later, they admitted the hoax.

Did you think the movie was inspired by this event?

[–] foothilldan 16 years ago

I dont think so, though there do appear to be some similarities,

[–] Tommy N 15 years ago

At the time of the release of the movie, they brought up the Finch incident and some of the similarities in promotion of the film. So yes, it was somewhat inspired by the George Plimpton/Sports Illustrated April Fool's joke.

For those of you that never saw the actual story in SI, scour the internet and see if you can find it. Its pretty classic!

[–] Gdub33 11 years ago

Steve Nebraska's character is loosely based on a pitcher named Steve Dalkowski. But, unfortunately he never made it to the major leagues.

Nope it was based on this guy and not the hoax.