Archived Innings

I must have watched Angels in the Outfield about half a dozen times as a kid.  Even so, rewatching it yesterday, I was astonished at the number of actors I recognized — and how young they were! — who I knew little or nothing about back then: Danny Glover, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Matthew McConaughey, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Adrien Brody, etc.  (Not that I know a lot about any of these individuals now, but I am slightly more inclined to recognize them.)

The story revolves around Roger, an 11-year-old foster boy who has lost his mother, and whose father struggles to get his life together.  One night, Roger prays for a family… and for a little help for the California Angels to start winning some baseball games.  Much to his surprise, his prayer is answered in the form of real angels appearing on the baseball diamond, assisting the baseball team on its way to an unbelievable winning streak.

George Knox, the manager of the Angels, has up to this point been a short-tempered skeptic whose language is laced with profanity.  After Roger implores him to clean up his language, we see a shift in Knox’s attitude and behavior.  Roger, along with his foster brother J.P., starts attending every game, letting Knox know who to put in to take advantage of the angelic assistance.  Before we know it, the Angels find themselves going from last place to first in their division.

Meanwhile, Roger’s father makes the decision to give up custody of his son, an event that understandably tears Roger apart.  With Roger missing that day’s game due to the court appearance, the Angels lose, and a depressed J.P. accidentally lets slip to broadcaster Ranch Wilder that real angels have been helping the baseball team.  Knox is forced to address the rumor in a press conference, at which his players unexpectedly stand behind him against the media.

The movie, like a lot of cheesy sports movies, closes with the championship game.  The angels, however, are forbidden from providing any assistance in a championship situation, so the California Angels are left to fight for the pennant on their own.  Needless to say, I suppose, that the team pulls it off.  After all, what would a feel-good family sports movie be without a championship victory?

It’s an overly sappy film, admittedly, though my own affinity for it as a kid does leave me with a bit of nostalgic affection for it now.  It’s obviously a kid’s movie, and if I hadn’t seen it back then, I’d probably be shaking my head at its cheesiness now.  As things stand, however, I can’t help but enjoy it.