The Sandlot (Exclusive Series) (Disney Plus)

Initial release date: April 7, 1993

Studios: 20th Century Fox/ Island World

Tagline: The adventures of a lifetime, the summer of their dreams … the dog of their nightmares

Plot: When Scotty Smalls moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids who play baseball at the sandlot. Together they go on a series of funny and touching adventures. The boys run into trouble when Smalls borrows a ball from his stepdad that gets hit over a fence (which was signed by The Great Gambino … aka Babe Ruth).

Cast

Tom Guri - Scotty Smalls

Mike Vitar - Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez

Patrick Renna - Hamilton ‘Ham’ Porter

Chauncey Leopardi - Michael ‘Squints’ Palladorous

Marty York - Alan ‘Yeah-Yeah’ McClennan

Brandon Quintin Adams - Kenny DeNunez

Grant Gelt - Bertram Grover Weeks

Shane Obedzinski - Tommy ‘Repeat’ Timmons

Victor DiMattia - Timmy Timmons

Art LaFleur - The Babe

Denis Leary - Bill

Karen Allen - Mom

James Earl Jones - Mr. Mertle

Marley Shelton - Wendy

Writer(s): David Mickey Evans (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr.; The Sandlot 2)

Robert Gunter

Director: David Mickey Evans (Ace Ventura Jr.; The Sandlot 2)

Rated PG for some language and kids chewing tobacco (101 minutes)

Just like ‘Rookie of the Year,’ this 1993 baseball favorite, ‘The Sandlot,’ is an entertaining movie that several of us have grown up with. This ‘93 classic has memorable scenes and even a few lines that you will always remember. You’re killing me, Smalls!

‘The Sandlot’ will always have that nostalgic feeling. Remembering the good times of playing baseball with the neighborhood kids years back. Or just the nostalgic feeling of re-watching this awesome classic movie.

And, of course, let’s not forget about The Beast who takes away the baseballs that are hit over the fence. Only to find out later that the big, bad dog isn’t really so bad.

‘The Sandlot’ and its two direct to DVD sequels can currently be streamed on the Disney Plus streaming platform. I haven’t seen the two sequels, but maybe someday!

Here are some interesting tidbits for ‘The Sandlot’:

• The older and younger Benny are played by real-life brothers, Pablo Vitar and Mike Vitar.

• In Benny’s dream, Babe Ruth says “I don’t know why but can I have this?” when referring to Hank Aaron’s baseball card. Hank Aaron would go on to break Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record.

• Shot in 42 days.

• Many of the young actors snuck into a nearby movie theater to watch ‘Basic Instinct.’

• The movie grossed $4 million in its opening weekend and a further $32 million through ticket sales. Figures for worldwide VHS (remember those?) and DVD sales, however, are estimated to be at $76 million. Since its release on home video, the movie has become a cult favorite.

• The movie also spawned two DVD sequels: The Sandlot 2 (2005) and The Sandlot: Heading Home (2007).

• A prequel was announced on July 31, 2018; As of 2019, a TV series with the original cast is in the works for Disney Plus, as a result of Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.

https://youtu.be/iXOOL6SygW8