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Kipnis: Channing Tatum should play me in film adaptation of '16 Indians

Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Given how the injury-ravaged Cleveland Indians defied the odds to earn their first pennant since 1997, their quest to the World Series is exactly the kind of underdog story that plays in Hollywood.

At least, Jason Kipnis thinks so.

Though the Indians' previous depiction on the silver screen is considered one of the greatest baseball movies ever, Kipnis noted after Wednesday's pennant-clinching, 3-0 win over Toronto in Game 5 of the ALCS that the trials and tribulations of this year's (non-fictional) team would make for a compelling flick, as well.

"This team, not the old 'Major Leagues.' This should be a movie," Kipnis told 92.3 The Fan's T.J. Zuppe.

Everything about the Indians' victory over the Blue Jays would translate to a gripping screenplay, Kipnis said. That's why the Indians lost Game 4 with Corey Kluber on the mound. Audiences would want little-known Ryan Merritt, not the former Cy Young award winner, shining in the big game, after all.

"(Corey) Kluber in a clinch game just would make too much sense, so that's why we lost yesterday," Kipnis explained. "Having a guy in his second career start would be perfect for the movie, so we were like, 'This is going to work out in our favor.' It literally was talked about before the game."

Related: 3 reasons why the Indians are World Series-bound

Kipnis, the stocky, 29-year-old second baseman, has already picked out the ideal actor to portray him, too.

"Someone really good looking - Channing Tatum."

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