The recent run of 30 for 30 installments that began with The Last Dance and ended with Long Gone Summer reignited my passion for sports documentaries.
While I found Long Gone Summer to be a major missed opportunity, it got me thinking about which baseball stories would make for ideal documentary subjects.
After careful consideration, these are some of the baseball topics that I feel could be turned into riveting fact-based films.
The Original Wife Swap
The most bizarre trade in baseball history wasn’t between two teams. In 1973, Yankee pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich announced that they had fallen in love with each other’s wives. Their solution to this predicament was to swap wives — as well as kids, dogs, and homes.
The “life swap” between Peterson and Kekich raised a multitude of questions, such as how their children were affected by the whole situation. Many articles have been written about this unusual scenario, but the topic could be mined even further.
Just picture it: a documentary that examines the Peterson-Kekich trade from every angle. We could learn how their teammates reacted to the swap and why the relationship between Fritz Peterson and the former Susanne Kekich is still going strong nearly fifty years later. Though Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were set to produce a feature film based on this story, I think the juicy, somewhat sordid details of the trade make it more deserving of the documentary treatment.
Manny Being Manny
Manny Ramirez has plenty of detractors, but no one could call him boring. Ramirez is the ideal documentary subject: an engaging figure who combined elite talent with a tinge of absent-mindedness and a polarizing attitude. The Dominican slugger was a preternaturally gifted hitter, and yet he will be remembered as much for his mental errors and off-the-field transgressions as his ability to flat-out rake.
A “Manny Being Manny” documentary would present an opportunity for Ramirez to clear the air on his past mistakes. Former teammates have praised Ramirez for his work ethic and expert knowledge of hitting mechanics, suggesting a depth of personality that has been unexplored to this point.
The main reason I want a Manny documentary, however, is the treasure trove of footage that could be assembled. Few ballplayers were as clutch, and few as frequently humorous. Of all the classic moments that Manny gifted us through the years, my favorite is the time he cut off a Johnny Damon throw in the outfield (starts at the 1:28 mark in the video below).
History of Japanese Baseball
Robert Whiting’s book You Gotta Have Wa provides readers with an introduction to Japanese baseball and the cultural values it represents. Japanese baseball is a reflection of the country itself, an idea that a documentary could demonstrate visually.
A documentary that chronicles the development of Japanese baseball, from its origins in high school tournaments to the phenomenon it is today, would give viewers a greater appreciation for the sport’s international impact. It would also be a treat for audiences to see highlights of Japanese legends like Ichiro Suzuki and Sadaharu Oh in their primes.
Baseball at War
Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Hank Greenberg are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. They also served in the US military while their playing careers were still active. Baseball is synonymous with American culture, and yet the connection between the sport and the country’s armed forces has not been covered extensively.
A documentary on baseball players who went off to war would appeal to baseball aficionados and history buffs alike. Moreover, it would shed light on issues such as how other soldiers felt about fighting alongside national celebrities.
Game of Shadows
The steroid era changed baseball forever. Records fell, legacies were tainted, careers were extended, and home runs left ballparks at an absurd pace. The debate over which players were juicing and how we should view their performances in hindsight rages on to this day, even after the implementation of stricter testing and punishments.
A documentary that covers the history of steroid use in baseball might help fans and commentators come to terms with this unfortunate period in the game’s history.
In particular, a documentary that profiles some of the more influential players of the era like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens would allow viewers to understand why recent Hall of Fame votes have been fraught with controversy. Recent documentaries like Icarus and The Armstrong Lie garnered critical acclaim for their unflinching looks at doping among cyclists.
Likewise, a film about steroids in baseball could make a powerful statement about hero worship and cognitive dissonance among sports fans.
The 1961 Home Run Chase
The 1961 home run chase between Yankee teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle was previously depicted in the outstanding HBO film 61*. As much as I appreciate that film, the story at its center is begging to be tackled by a skilled documentarian. A documentary dedicated to the M&M Boys could dig deeper into the friendly rivalry between the sluggers and the physical toll the race took on Maris.
Mantle and Maris had contrasting personas: Mantle was a fan favorite known for his good ol’ boy charm, while Maris was introverted and uncomfortable with public attention. This underlying juxtaposition made their race to overtake Babe Ruth a battle for the ages.
Searle’s Final Say
I enjoyed the recent crop of 30 for 30 entries, and look forward to further installments in the series. Baseball’s past is full of stories that could translate to gripping documentaries, some of them dramatic and others more comical in nature. While documentarians like Ken Burns have used the medium to educate viewers about America’s pastime, there is still material left to be explored.
