Here’s a curated list of the most memorable lines from Bull Durham — from Crash Davis’s wisdom to Annie Savoy’s sultry monologues and Nuke LaLoosh’s hilarious confusion.
When it comes to baseball movies, Bull Durham (1988) isn’t just a classic—it’s a religion. Written and directed by Ron Shelton, the film perfectly blends humor, romance, and America’s favorite pastime.
Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just love great dialogue, the best Bull Durham quotes remind us why this movie still resonates more than three decades later.
Top 10 Bull Durham Quotes
- “You don’t want a ballplayer; you want a stable pony.” — Crash
- “I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ball club.”— Nuke
- “Women never get lured. They’re too strong and powerful for that.” — Annie
- “Honey, you are a regular nuclear meltdown. You better cool off.” — Annie Savoy
- “The world is made for people who aren’t cursed with self-awareness.” — Annie Savoy
- “I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones.” — Annie
- “Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You’ll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes.” — Crash
- “You get three ants together, they can’t do dick. You get 300 million of them, they can build a cathedral.” — Annie Savoy
- “I’m Crash Davis; I’m your new catcher, and you just got lesson No. 1: Don’t think. You can only hurt the ball club.” — Crash Davis
- “Baseball may be a religion full of magic, cosmic truth and the fundamental ontological riddles of our time, but it’s also a job.” — Annie Savoy
Best Bull Durham Movie Quotes
- “The rose goes in the front, big guy.” — Crash
- “Honey, we all deserve to wear white.” — Annie Savoy
- “I have been known on occasion to howl at the moon.” — Crash Davis
- “Cute? Baby ducks are cute, I HATE cute! I want to be exotic, and mysterious!” — Annie Savoy
- “You see, there’s a certain amount of life wisdom I give these boys. I can expand their minds.” — Annie Savoy
- “Why does he want me to throw the heat again, I just threw it. No, Meat, don’t think, just give him the gas.” — Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh
- “Listen, sweetheart, you shouldn’t listen to what a woman says when she’s in the throes of passion. They say the darndest things.” — Annie Savoy
- “It’s a long season and you gotta trust. I’ve tried ’em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.” — Annie Savoy
Famous Quotes From Bull Durham
- “I can get us a rainout.” — Crash Davis
- “What we need is a rainout.” — Ballplayer
- “Oh my goodness! We got ourselves a natural disaster!” — Crash Davis
- “A hundred bucks says I can get us a rainout for tomorrow.” — Crash Davis
- “After 12 years in the minor leagues, I don’t try out. Besides, uh, I don’t believe in quantum physics when it comes to matters of the heart.” — Crash Davis
- “Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they’re fascist. Throw some ground balls―it’s more democratic.” — Crash Davis
- “Alright, you’ve seen all his pitches. You’ve seen them all. Shorten up, Crash. Bring me the gas, kid. Bring me the gas. Bring me the gas. Quick bat, quick bat, quick bat.” (Swings and misses for strike three.)” — Crash Davis
- “Well, actually, nobody on this planet ever really chooses each other. I mean, it’s all a question of quantum physics, molecular attraction, and timing. Why, there are laws we don’t understand that bring us together and tear us apart.” — Annie Savoy
Bull Durham Baseball Quotes
- “Never f— with a winning streak.” — Crash Davis
- “You gotta play this game with fear and arrogance.” — Crash Davis
- “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.” — Nuke
- “How come in former lifetimes, everybody is somebody famous?” — Crash Davis
- “You just got lesson number one. Don’t think, it can only hurt the ball club.” — Crash Davis
- “When you get in a fight with a drunk, you don’t hit ’em with your pitching hand.” — Crash Davis
- “I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter.” — Crash Davis
- “I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.” — Crash Davis
- “These are the ground rules. I hook up with one guy a season. Usually takes me a couple weeks to pick the guy – kinda my own spring training.” — Annie Savoy
- “What’s this guy know about pitching? If he’s so good how come he’s been in the minors for the last 10 years? If he’s so good, how come Annie wants me instead of him?” — Nuke
Bull Durham Cast
The 1988 romantic baseball comedy Bull Durham, written and directed by Ron Shelton, features an unforgettable cast that brought heart, humor, and authenticity to the game.
🎬Kevin Costner stars as Crash Davis, a seasoned minor-league catcher whose wisdom and experience guide younger players through the grind of baseball life. He’s the soul of the story — sharp, cynical, and quietly romantic.
🎬Susan Sarandon shines as Annie Savoy, the film’s narrator and muse. Annie “believes in the Church of Baseball” and spends each season mentoring one player, blending spirituality, sensuality, and philosophy in her love for the game.
🎬Tim Robbins plays Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh, a cocky but talented rookie pitcher with a fastball that’s as wild as his personality. His transformation under Crash and Annie’s guidance provides the film’s emotional core.
🎬The supporting cast adds color and comedy. Trey Wilson portrays Joe “Skip” Riggins, the Bulls’ hot-headed but loyal manager, while Robert Wuhl plays Larry Hockett, the team’s hilarious pitching coach known for the “lollygaggers” speech that every baseball fan remembers.
Other notable players include William O’Leary as Jimmy, David Neidorf as Bobby, Danny Gans as Deke, Rick Marzan as José, and Jenny Robertson as Millie, a young fan and Annie’s friend who adds charm to the local baseball scene.
Adding to the film’s authenticity, Max Patkin — the real-life “Clown Prince of Baseball” — appears as himself, bringing classic baseball humor to the big screen.
More than 35 years after its release, Bull Durham remains one of the greatest comedy sports movies ever made. Its quotes aren’t just lines — they’re life lessons disguised as locker-room banter.
So next time you watch Bull Durham, keep an ear out. You might just find a new favorite quote that still hits it out of the park. ⚾