| Many of you have seen or heard of the baseball classic movie THE SANDLOT. This year marks the 25 year anniversary of the cult classic and it to me is one of the greatest baseball and life stories ever put to film. The phrase-'your'e killing me Smalls' was one of the memorable lines from that movie.. The phrase is commonly used to express discontent or frustration. Well the Southern Yankees latest-Fall/Winter Season is coming to and end this week and not soon enough. The Miami Reds shellacked the Southern Yankees with a hitting barrage against less than stellar Yankees pitching. Sam Bartoletta playing with very injured hand smacked 2 hits for the Southern Yankees as the rest of the team was stymied. There is not much to say except like in the movie there was lots of laughing on misplays and unsuccessful attempts to hit, throw and catch the ball like in the film. Lets talk about the movie as many teams and baseball parks across the land are celebrating & promoting the anniversary of the movie which was released in 1993. According to Wikipedia the movie 'The Sandlot' is an American coming-of-age baseball film which tells the story of young baseball players during the summer of 1962
in the San Fernando Valley. It stars the beautiful actress Karen Allen, superstar Dennis Leary and iconic James Earl Jones. It goes like this- Scotty Smalls is the new boy in the neighborhood desperately trying to fit in. He would be welcomed on the local sandlot baseball team that practices everyday and only has 8 players needing a 9th for a full team. Smalls however cannot play baseball very well and on his first day playing outfield on the sandlot team he finds a fly ball descending towards him. It bounces off his glove causing the other players except Benny the jet Rodriguez- the teams leader to burst out laughing. Smalls is humiliated and leaves the baseball diamond. He then asks his stepfather played by Dennis Leary to teach him the nuances of the game. And after some work he gets a place back on the team. Meanwhile behind the outfield wall of the sandlot lurks the Beast- a dog so large and savage that it has become a neighborhood legend. One day the baseball lands in the beasts backyard. Numerous ingenious and hilarious attempts to retrieve the ball all fall by the wayside. Smalls attempts to earn respect by attempting to retrieve it but others on the team stop him -knowing about the ravish nature of the Beast. They tell the story of Mr Mertle who is played by James Earl Jones . Mr Mertle got the dog when he was just a puppy after thieves were plaguing his junkyard business. The puppy grows into the Beast, enormous and aggressive killing and devouring all the would be thieves- bones and all. Smalls also learns that many baseballs land up in that backyard and then they just disappear. One day Smalls borrows his stepfathers baseball not knowing it was signed by Babe Ruth and obviously very special. After the ball goes over the fence he knows he is in trouble as he has to replace the ball he borrowed while his step dad was on a business trip. They end up meeting with Mr Mertle who happens to be former Negro League star who knew Babe Ruth. He trades a 1927 YANKEES AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL signed by all entire team. So Smalls gives it to his step dad to make up for the other ball he borrowed that landed in the Beasts mouth. The Sandlot boys enjoy the rest of the Summer especially at the pool which you will relate to and they grow up and go into different careers. One becomes a famous baseball player for the LA Dodgers while Smalls becomes a sportscaster. You must see the movie it will really get you to think about life and the ups and downs and how to overcome them and any other adversity . It also is absolutely a crack you up type film that will have you on the floor laughing hysterically!. You all know if you have been reading this color commentary over the years of my penchant for symbolism, inspiration & wisdom. It also was a constant reminder that the wheel of life is alwAys turning and soon IT would turn in your direction. We preached- Get back in the batters box and take your cuts. a SPECIAL THANKS TO BUDDING SUPERSTAR JESUS AT NORTHEAST who does a great job with the ballfields .And since we are in the middle of the exciting hockey NHL playoffs as Wayne Gretzky once said- you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take. Recently you read right here in this column that the Super Bowl would be a track meet with both teams scoring over 30 points looking for a 38-35 type score with the Birds on top. Alfred Hitchcock made that famous movie & the Eagles attacked in all directions during the game. Well-just check the final and you will be as amazed as I was. Check the column from a few months ago under Southern Yankees/ Scores and you can reread the details as it was spot on in advice as to what you should do and how things may play out. There were other correct prognostications in past years all online and archived you will find involving major events that came true. But enough of that as luck takes funny bounces in life on many fronts as we all know and can change on a dime. So lets stay humble & kind. ... In keeping with tradition as in past years this writer has an opinion that you just may want to consider. You can call it advice,something to consider or simply a suggestion .Now here is my take on this Saturdays upcoming Kentucky Derby Run For The Roses. With 20 horses and one of the most talented field ever assembled anything can happen. Watch to see if Magnum Moon and or Justify get a little lathered up and nervous pre-race as 100,000 fans in Kentucky can make you do. Boy I wish I was there but maybe next year! Look for Audible, Noble Indy, Mendelson , Flameaway and Justify to be in the mix early. Watch for late closers and longshots Hofburg and Combatant to be flying late . Justify may be a freak and take it all with the others making it an exciting finish in the best 2 minutes of sports. JUSTIFY/AUDIBLE ON TOP of Noble Indy, Hofburg ,Mendelson and Combatant and possibly Enticed closing in the stretch. Hey but what do I know its your turn to be spot on so good luck whatever you do ! Hope you Step up to the window and cash the winning ticket in a possible bombs away payoff. The Southern Yankees close out the campaign and possible our lengthy careers with the finale against the Palm Beach Angels this Sunday in Ft Lauderdale Thank you for your time this time until next time..... and always remember to STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!!! submitted by Ray Asmar Player/Manager of the Southern Yankees |
