Rule of Three: 90s MLB Kids' Fantasy Movies

My continuing series of explorations into esoteric pop culture triplicates brings us today to the mid 90s where a trio of classic kids baseball films came to fill me and the rest of my generation with completely unrealistic expectations for success in Major League Baseball. Of course the three films I'm referring to are "Rookie of the Year", "Little Big League", and "Angels in the Outfield"; three movies with surprisingly bizarre similarities in themes and structure that go beyond the obvious "kids involved the major leagues" concept to almost make it a genre onto itself.

Breaking each movie down individually based on my disturbingly detailed memory of the films and a little help from the Wik, it becomes quite apparent that these films shared more than just the main unifying concept. Also, before I go ahead I just want to note that yes, I am ignoring that other seminal childhood baseball movie "The Sandlot." But before anyone cries foul (Get it? Baseball? Foul? Hilarious...) the movie is really all about kids playing baseball rather than kids playing/being involved with Major League Baseball. By the time the movie gets to the majors the two friends have grown up, so there's really no novelty in that. The only other kid friendly 90s movie I can think of is the 1996 Matt LeBlanc, sports monkey classic "Ed" which is left off the list for obvious reasons.

I guess I should mention that there will probably some spoilers. Although come on, it's been almost 15 years, unless you're currently under ten (do your parents know you're reading this blog?) you've either seen these films or have no real intention of seeing them in the future.

Rookie of the Year (1993)

Basics: 12 year old Little Leaguer Henry Rowengartner discovers that the tendons in his recently broken arm have healed in an unexpected manner, leaving him with the ability to throw triple digit fastballs. Under much media scrutiny, he is signed by the Chicago Cubs. He leads the last place team to a final deciding game at the end of the season for a playoff spot, and, according to the ring shown at the end an eventual World Series title (thus clearly landing the film in the category of pure fantasy/science fiction). He eventually loses his talent but happily returns to being a kid again.

Broken Home: Father abandoned the family, raised by his independent, floater throwing, single mother.

Supporting Friend Characters That Tell the Protagonist How Much They've Changed: He's got two of them.

Baseball Player on the Team who becomes a replacment Father Figure: Aging starting pitcher Chet "Rocket" Steadman played by Gary Busey who helps Henry adjust to the intimidating situation of being a 12 year old MLB pitcher. It's implied that he may possibly become a literal father figure based on the growing relationship between him and Henry's mom. Although having Gary Busey as your father figure may not be the best idea.

Evil Player that Appears as the Final Out: The slovenly NY Met and John Kruk look-a-like, "Butch" Heddo who originally hits a home run against Henry in his first game and comes back as the crucial final out in the final game of the season right after Henry loses his ability to throw heat. Fortunately Butch can't handle the off speed softball floater.

Evil Non-Playing Nemesis: Henry's mother's douchy boyfriend Jack who acts as Henry's manager. He greedily exploits Henry for profit all through the film but eventually gets kicked out after attempting to sell Henry to the Yankees.

Incredulous In-Game Commentator: The late great John Candy.

Little Big League (1994)

Basics: 12 year old Little Leaguer Billy Heywood discovers that his grandfather has died, leaving him with ownership of the Minnesota Twins. Under much media scrutiny, he fires the current manager and assigns himself manager of the Minnesota Twins. He manages the last place team to a final deciding game at the end of the season for a playoff spot, which they surprisingly lose. He eventually resigns from the team but happily returns to being a kid again.

Broken Home: Father died at a young age, raised by his independent, single mother.

Supporting Friend Characters That Tell the Protagonist How Much They've Changed: Possibly the same two goobers from the previous movie.

Baseball Player on the Team who becomes a Father Figure: Star first baseman Lou Collins played by Timothy Busfield who helps Billy adjust to the intimidating situation of being a 12 year old MLB manager. He basically becomes a literal father figure after Billy allows him to propose to his mother despite not hitting a home run to win the game as stipulated prior to the last game.

Evil Player Nemesis that Appears as the Final Out: Real life MLB star, and then Seattle Mariner, Ken Griffey Jr. who breaks the hearts of children everywhere by hitting the go-ahead home run at the beginning of the crucial final game and then robbing Timothy Busfield of the potential game winning homer with a spectacular catch at the end.

Evil Non-Playing Nemises: Hard-ass ex-manager George O'Farrell played by the always hard-ass Dennis Farina. His poor managing skills and mistreatment of the players is the impetuous for Billy's decision to fire him and step in. He possibly returns as the manager of the rival Mariners but I'm not quite sure on that.

Incredulous In-Game Commentator: Real-life Twins announcer John Gordon who, for some reason, had to play a fictional version of himself under a different name.

Angels in the Outfield (1994)

Basics: 12 year old baseball fan Roger discovers that his father has decided to abandon him in foster care, leaving him with the sarcastic response that they'll be a family again when the last place Angels win the pennant. Incapable of understanding sarcasm, Roger prays to God to help the Angels out so he could have a family again. God sends actual angels to secretly help the team cheat. Roger convinces manager George Knox (Danny Glover in full "I'm too old for this shit mode") to follow his advice. However soon people pick up on this seemingly crazy strategy and under much media scrutiny, Roger reveals his incredulous secret. The Angels stop helping the team but they still win the final deciding game at the end of the season for a playoff spot anyway and he happily returns to being a kid again.

Broken Home: Father leaves, raised by independent willed, foster parent (the always independent and motherly Brenda Flicker).

Supporting Friend Characters That Tell the Protagonist How Much They've Changed: His adorable black friend J.P.

Baseball Player on the Team who becomes a Father Figure: Aging starting pitcher Mel Clark played by Tony Danza who ends up defending Roger and George and rallies the team around their cause. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him it is revealed to Roger that he will be dead in 6 months so George ends up becoming the literal father figure by actually adopting both Roger and J.P.

Evil Player Nemises That Appears as the Final Out: Real life MLB semi-star Carney Lansford as the "intimidating" White Sox hitter that Tony Danza has to get out sans angel to win the game.

Evil Non-Playing Nemesis: Skeptical atheist in-game commentator Ranch Wilder, who aside from being a long time nemesis of Knox, almost ruins everything after reporting on the implausible use of Angels and jeopardizing Knox's job. Not as blatantly evil as the others in my opinion. Wasn't he just being a responsible sports journalist?

Incredulous In-Game Commentator: Double duty, see above.



One interesting note, all three films came out during the one year stretch just prior to the 1994 baseball strike. In fact, "Angels in the Outfield" debuted roughly a month before the season was shutdown. That sort of really knocks the wind out of the whole "magic of baseball" and "love of the game" messages expounded by all three films. Adding together the ill will generated post strike, the overall taint of the steroids era, the overtaking by football as the most nation's most popular sport, and the generally increased cynicism of 12 year old children today, it's fairly certain that such movies are truly a relic of our childhoods.