| Director | Charles Stone III |
|---|---|
| Genre | comedy drama |
| Runtime | 104 min |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Box office | $21.8 million |
Stan Ross is the conceited star player of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. After recording his 3,000th hit, Ross immediately retires, leaving the team without one of its star players in the middle of the 1995 playoff race, showing every bit of disregard for his teammates' feelings that his decision will cost them the championship. During the next nine years, Ross uses his nickname as a business tool, owning several profitable properties under the name "Mr. 3000" that make him increasingly wealthy.
In 2004, the Brewers retire Ross' number to boost attendance for their now-struggling team. Although many fans do come to the ceremony, other players, including teammates and fellow stars Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, and Paul Molitor, stay away. Only his best friend Anthony “Boca” Carter and a middle relief pitcher from his early days in the majors named Bill “Big Horse” Berelli attend, and the ex-pitcher chastises Ross for his arrogant attitude.
Ross learns that due to a clerical error (caused by a three-hit game suspended due to curfew being double counted), he retired with 2,997 hits instead of 3,000. The error also partially contributes to Ross not being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and makes his "Mr. 3000" marketing gimmick inaccurate. Ross seeks to return to the game at the age of 47 to get three more hits and salvage his legacy and reputation.
A top Brewers executive, citing the large attendance at Ross' number retirement ceremony and the fact that the Brewers are out of playoff contention, agrees to bring Ross back during the September roster expansion. The team's younger players by contrast see him as a disgrace, and team superstar Rex "T-Rex" Pennebaker, who is pompous and arrogant like Ross, claims he is unneeded and too old to play. Longtime team manager Gus Panas refuses to so much as speak a word to Ross, and the local sportswriters take every opportunity to criticize him.
Despite his earlier predictions, Ross struggles to regain his baseball form and goes hitless in his first 27 at-bats. His comeback is covered by television sportscaster Maureen "Mo" Simmons, who rekindles a past romantic relationship with him. Ross eventually gets two hits, including a home run, bringing his career total to 2,999.
Ross becomes a mentor to the younger players and urges Pennebaker to learn from his own mistakes and be a team player, so that Pennebaker will not end up like him – all alone. This inspires the Brewers to a late-season comeback and a respectable finish. Ross attempts to become serious with Simmons and make her a permanent part of his life, but she is reluctant to believe he is a changed man, particularly after he skips a team practice to go on national television with Jay Leno and soak in all the attention he is receiving.
In his final at-bat of the season, with a chance to achieve his 3,000th hit, Ross has a vision of his younger days when he was in his prime and cherished by his team. Inspired by this memory, he sacrifices his milestone by laying down a bunt, allowing the Brewers to win the game and secure third place in their division. Although he never reaches the 3,000-hit mark, his selflessness and renewed outlook earn him a place in the Hall of Fame. He renames his businesses "Mr. 2,999" and is last seen driving an ice cream truck with the slogan "2,999 possible combinations!"