Legends Never Die

I have no idea how many movies I’ve seen in my lifetime. Thousands, I’m sure, but I couldn’t even begin to fathom the actual number. If you were to ask me what movie I’ve seen the most, though, that’s an easy one. Without a doubt, it’s The Sandlot. How do I know? Well, because I’ll watch it every single time I see that it’s on. It doesn’t matter what I may have been looking for when I flipped on the tv. Hands down, Benny and his team of misfits grabs my attention and wins my heart every time.

The Sandlot is a love story. Not just because Squints made his dream come true by kissing Wendy Peffercorn. No, The Sandlot is much more than that. It’s a story about the devotion of childhood friends. It’s a story about a stepdad becoming Dad. It’s a story about pursuing your dreams. It’s a story about never giving up on yourself. That, my dear friends, is the greatest love story of them all…learning to love yourself.

Let’s start with Squints. He was absolutely enamored with Wendy Peffercorn. She was older, cooler, out of his league…but he didn’t let that discourage him. He went to the pool that afternoon as a scared little boy and left as a man who knew you had to take risks to reap the rewards.

Then there’s Benny. Benny knew he was good enough to play professionally, but he spent his time playing at the Sandlot with his friends. He knew none of them could match his talent, but he encouraged them to play every day and never to back down from anyone. He believed in his friends just as much as he believed in himself.

Hamilton “Ham” Porter. Now here’s a kid who’s full of confidence. Ham flirts with the girls at the pool, oblivious to the fact that they aren’t the least bit interested in him. When the Tigers show up at the sandlot, Ham is the first to confront them and defend his friends.

We can’t forget about Bill. Anyone who’s part of a blended family will tell you that it’s not always easy. It takes time to adjust and for personalities to mesh. Bill is a baseball fanatic, and his stepson doesn’t know who Babe Ruth is or even how to throw a ball. After Scotty loses Bill’s prized autographed Babe Ruth baseball, he’s certain that Bill is gonna kill him. Mr. Mertle gives him a ball autographed by the entire 1927 Yankees team, and Scotty uses that as a steppingstone to a better relationship with Bill.

Hidden behind the fence of the sandlot is The Beast. The boys tell Smalls that anyone who dares enter the Beast’s yard will disappear forever. When the fence falls on the Beast, Scotty immediately jumps in to save him. He discovers that Hercules isn’t really a beast at all, he’s just a dog who wants to play ball with the boys. Scotty saw the softer side of Hercules even though the team did not.

Scotty Smalls started the summer of 1962 as a nerdy loner with no friends. He didn’t believe in himself. He was shy and afraid. Benny took Scotty to the sandlot and asked him to join the team. He showed incredible patience as he taught Scotty the basics. That small act of kindness changed Scotty’s life. Slowly he started to open up, make friends, believe in himself. Benny helped him see that he had value as a person. Being a part of the team taught Scotty not to doubt his abilities or his worth.

To me, The Sandlot is more than just a baseball movie. It’s a coming of age love story and a reminder that every person has a story. We may come from different backgrounds, families, and situations, but we are all important, valuable, and capable and deserving of love. It won’t always be easy, but we can overcome obstacles and solve problems, make friends and achieve goals. We can love our friends and family despite our differences, and we can be proud to be our unique selves.

Oh…one more thing….

⚾️You’re killing me, Smalls!! ⚾️