Every family has their own traditions, their own joint memories and fond favorites. One of the strongest connections that my family had while growing up was an affinity for The Sandlot. Over the last 20 years – yes, it has been that long since it came out – I’ve learned that it wasn’t just one of my family’s favorite movies (the other being Hook), but it belonged to many families. Aside from Star Wars, it just might be the biggest chunk of still-relevant pop culture out there. The Napoleon Dynamite quotes have long since passed away, but how often do you still hear (or say) “You’re killing me, Smalls!” or “For-ev-ver?” I’m pretty sure that no one has mentioned s’mores around me in the last 20 years without someone saying, “S’more what?” That is the impact that The Sandlot has had on pop culture and it is still relevant today.
This weekend I got to do something that I’ve never done before – travel back through time to actually participate in one of those nostalgic family-favorite moments of my childhood. This summer marks the 20th anniversary of The Sandlot. To promote it, Fox has been sending writer/director David M. Evans around the country to show off and celebrate his work. For the last two-plus months and in the upcoming two months, Evans has taken his film on the road to the fans, meeting them and sharing stories with them along the way. He and few of the cast members with arrive at in cities across the country, host Sandlot events where the film is screened, pictures are taken and autographs are given. Living in the area where it was filmed, I was able to actively participate in the extravaganza that took place here in Salt Lake City on Friday – and it was literally like reliving part of my childhood.
Friday was a busy and hectic day, so I’m offering some insight as to how my day went and what Sandlot-related posts you can expect from me over the next few days. My day began long before sunrise when Evans and a few of the cast members came in to the 101.5 FM studio to promote the events on-air. There I met and listened to Evans, Marty “Yeah-Yeah” York, Shane “Repeat” Obedzinski and Daniel “Squints’ Grandpa” Zacapa. Being the Jon & Amanda Show (not the Jon & Amanda & Luke Show) and knowing that I had more lined up during the rest of the day, I just sat back and enjoyed hearing the stories that they had to tell. It was surreal.
At 11:15AM, I conducted a 15-minute phone interview with Evans and Zacapa for High-Def Digest. (The interview has not yet been published, but I’ll post a link to it once it has.) There’s something about conducting interviews with the folks that made movies that I’m passionate about that makes them much easier. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but it is one of the interviews that I’m most proud of. Much to my surprise, when I later spoke with Evans in person, he solidified my confidence by complimenting me on the interview, saying that I asked some great questions and kept it entertaining for even him.
Around 4:00PM, I headed over to the Spring Mobile Ballpark, the home of Bee’s, Salt Lake City’s Minor Leagure team. There, with a press pass in hand, I and my lovely photographer (a.k.a. wife) were able to walk out onto the field while the team was practicing and meet with even more of the cast. Joining the previously mentioned cast members were Patrick “Ham” Renna and Victor “Tommy” DiMattia. Along with several members of other press outlets, we stood around together in small outlet-based groupings, conducting interviews and taking photos. I still have more transcribing to do, but you can expect to read those interviews and see those pictures over the next few days.
After standing in the blisting 100-plus-degree heat, we broke. I took a break in the shade for a while and later went up to Fox’s booth above the stadium. From there we watched the Bees game, which kicked off with the cast and director throwing the opening pitches to “Ham.” Once the game started, an endless line formed with fans in a frenzy for pictures, autographs and merchandise. I’ll scan my memorabilia gems and post them with each of the corresponding interviews. While they were busy pleasing the masses, I enjoyed the food and the game from the suite high above. Much to my surprise, the guys took a break from signing to retreat to the suite and lead the seventh-inning stretch from the suite’s balcony. Shortly thereafter, I was able to complete my interviews by nabbing “Ham” and the late arrival – Chauncey “Squints” Leopardi.
By the time that the game ended, I was exhausted from the early morning, the heat and the crowds, so I slipped out just before the post-game screening of The Sandlot. The drive home was a strange one. As long and exciting and exhausting as the day had been, it felt like it never happened – like it was a surreal memory that wasn’t mine. Insanely nostalgic moments of your early life are not supposed to be revisited in a tangible and obtainable form twenty years later. Nobody is supposed to be able to do that – which is why I feel so privileged to have been part of it. Friday, July 19 was a day for the books, one of the highlights of my movie-based career so far.
