The success of 'The Sandlot' wasn’t a home run at first in 1993
Few baseball movies are as timeless as 1993's 'The Sandlot.' This beloved film left a lasting mark on baseball movie culture in the early 1990s and has earned its status as an enduring classic.
Despite the decades that have passed since the film's release, it's amazing how some of the movie's actors stayed in our memories. Let's take a closer look at what the members of 'The Sandlot' team have been up to over the years.
Tom Guiry as Scott Smalls
Tom Guiry, born in October 1981, embarked on his acting journey at the tender age of 11 when he made his debut as the 'new kid in town,' Scotty Smalls, in 'The Sandlot.' Subsequently, Guiry graced the screen in notable roles such as 'Lassie' (1994) and 'The Last Home Run' (1996). The child star followed up the gig with turns in 'Lassie' (1994), 'All I Wanna Do' (1998), 'Black Hawk Down' (2001), 'Mystic River' (2003), and 'The Fitzgerald Family Christmas' (2012). Guiry also had a memorable appearance in the 2015 Oscar-winning film ‘The Revenant’ alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. His acting credits extend to 'Cell Block 99' (2017) and 'Wonder Wheel' (2017). As of 2022, he played a satirical version of himself in the dark comedy 'Killin Smallz.'
Mike Vitar as Benjamin 'Benny' Franklin Rodriguez
Mike Vitar made his remarkable debut in 'The Sandlot', discovered by a casting agent while waiting in line for a carnival ride. His career spanned five years, during which he portrayed Luis Mendoza in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ film series. However, Vitar decided to retire from acting and transitioned into a different profession by joining the Los Angeles Fire Department. Despite the change in his career trajectory, his memorable performance as Benny the Jet remains etched in cinematic history.
Patrick Renna as Hamilton 'Ham' Porter
After leaving an indelible mark in 'The Sandlot' as Ham, Patrick Renna continued to build a diverse portfolio of work. Notable highlights include his roles in the 1993 film 'Son in Law,' the 2000 film 'Very Mean Men,' and 2003's National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze. In recent years, Renna has made guest appearances in popular television series such as 'Bones' and 'CSI.' He celebrated the arrival of fatherhood in 2018 and humorously remarked, 'I'm a little behind some of these guys [his Sandlot castmates], but I'm an actor. I'm on GLOW and did a couple of episodes of the second season. I like to let them get good and jump on the bandwagon." Renna remains active on social media, often revisiting iconic moments from 'The Sandlot', and cherishes his role as a family man. Renna has not only ventured into the realm of movie production. However, his contributions extend beyond the entertainment industry but has also become the co-founder of the Hambino Foundation, a charitable organization with a mission to enhance access and resources for youth sports programs.
Chauncey Leopardi as Michael 'Squints' Palledorous
Chauncey Leopardi embarked on his acting journey at the tender age of 5, establishing himself in the industry long before his role as Squints in 'The Sandlot.' Following the success of the film, Leopardi expanded his career with appearances in 'Boy Meets World' and the 1995 comedy 'Houseguest.' He portrayed Navy man Kyle on the hit television show 'Gilmore Girls' and even reprised his beloved character Squints in the third installment of Sandlot movies,'The Sandlot: Heading Home.' While he continued to excel in film and TV, Leopardi dedicated more time to his role as a father and husband, as well as his ventures outside of Hollywood. Reflecting on his journey, he shared in 2018, "I have a family as well. I spend most of my time being a dad and a husband, a business owner, just working hard doing my thing." In 2019, he made an appearance in the music video for the song 'Homicide' by Logic featuring Eminem.
Marty York as Alan 'Yeah Yeah' McClennan
Marty York's portrayal of 'Yeah Yeah' McClennan, known for his signature repetitive 'yeahs,' marked a standout moment in his career. He furthered his acting repertoire with roles in TV shows like 'Boy Meets World' and 'Hey Arnold!' Following a legal incident in 2009, York opted for a lower-profile acting career. While occasionally accepting acting gigs, including appearances in 'Boy Meets World,' 'Hey Arnold!,' and 'The Eric Andre Show', York primarily focuses on his fitness journey. He quipped in 2018, "I personally train on the side, and I still do acting. I did an episode of the Golden Globe-nominated show SMILF [in 2017]." In 2021, York was featured in a documentary short about his life, sharing insights into his experience surviving a life-altering car accident.
Brandon Quintin Adams as Kenny DeNunez
Brandon Adams initiated his acting career in 1988, gaining recognition for his role in Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' music video. He went on to star in several films and TV series, including The 'People Under the Stairs' (1991) and 'The Sandlot.' His career highlights extended to appearances in episodes of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', 'Boy Meets World', 'Moesha', and 'Sister, Sister.' Adams also explored voice acting in video games and narrated the 2021 film 'The Resort.' Beyond his acting endeavors, Adams is devoted to his family and shared in 2018, "I'm still acting and am a dad forever."
Grant Gelt as Bertram Grover Weeks
Grant Gelt commenced his career by voicing Franklin in the 1988 miniseries 'This is America, Charlie Brown.' He then added another layer to his acting resume with his portrayal of Bertram Grover Weeks, known for his tobacco-chewing habits, in 'The Sandlot'. In 1993, Gelt achieved success in both film and television with roles in 'Boy Meets World' and 'The 60s.' His last on-screen appearance was in 1999, and in 2018, he shared that he resides in Nashville, where he engages in business development and manages a creative agency for a tech company. The Deseret News recently had the opportunity to interview David Mickey Evans, the director of 'The Sandlot', as well as stars Shane Obedzinski, Grant Gelt, and Victor DiMattia. In the interview, they shared their favorite memories from the making of the film, discussed its continued relevance in the modern era, and explored whether a movie like 'The Sandlot' could be created in the year 2023.
Victor DiMattia as Timmy Timmons
Victor DiMattia, the elder of the two Timmons brothers, demonstrated his acting prowess as kid brother Timmy, which was not his first foray in front of the camera. He embarked on his acting journey as a voice actor in 1986 and gained television and film experience before joining 'The Sandlot' cast. Notable appearances include the 1990 film 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and the 1991 film 'Sleeping with the Enemy.' Post-Sandlot success, DiMattia voiced a character in the 'Adventure in Odyssey' projects before taking a hiatus in 1995. He returned to the industry in 2008 and transitioned into directorial work, including the short film ‘Last Days in Iraq.’ After a substantial break, he made a comeback to acting in the 2018 independent film 'Get Married or Die' and also hosted the podcast Vic in a Box from 2017 to 2019.
Shane Obedzinski as Tommy 'Repeat' Timmons
Shane Obedzinski, who portrayed Tommy 'Repeat' Timmons, the younger brother of Timmy Timmons, embarked on his acting career in 1991 with his role as Billy in the film 'My Girl.' His acting credits include four films from 1991 to 1993, including 'The Sandlot.' While he has not appeared in a feature film since then, Obedzinski revealed in 2018 that he resides in Florida, where he owns a restaurant in Tampa called Times Square Pizza Company after quitting acting in 1993. He continues to pursue acting opportunities on the side, reflecting his passion for the craft.
