Want to feel old? Hard as it might be to believe, it was over 25-years ago, on a sun-bleached afternoon in Los Angeles when Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez stole home for the Dodgers, capturing the hearts of millions.
So it only seemed fitting that the cast of The Sandlot return to where it all ended, right?
That’s exactly what they did this weekend as the actors who played Bertram, Ham, Repeat, Smalls, Squints, Timmy, Yeah-Yeah and DeNunez all made their way to Chavez Ravine to watch the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants.
“You’re killing me, Smalls!” #TheSandlot25th | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/oEYIGZxxOs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2018
It was all part of a promotion put on by the Dodgers, who not only had The Sandlot crew in attendance but gave them all-access passes into the clubhouse where they met some of their favorite big-leaguers.
Saved the best for last. Met my ginger brother @redturn2 ! Good win today! Just saying @dodgers #sandlot25th may be a good luck charm ? pic.twitter.com/eQOJIJDs4K
— Patrick Renna (@PatrickRenna) June 17, 2018
Dubbed ‘Sandlot Night’, each of the characters were introduced along the third base line, though there was some obvious disappointment when fans noticed one rather important character was missing.
Heroes get remembered but legends never die. #TheSandlot25 | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/UPAnf1SrOO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2018
The starting lineup. #TheSandlot25th | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/OA9xTFvZkQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2018
Actor Michael Vitar, who played Benny “The Jet,” was sadly nowhere to be found.
Reunited and it feels so good: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet And Billy Zane Had A ‘Titanic’ Reunion Because We’ll Never Let Go
Vitar, a Los Angeles based firefighter, has kept a somewhat low profile after a 2015 arrest on Halloween in which he allegedly beat up a man so badly the victim claims they have permanent brain damage.
Perhaps Vitar will make it to the Marlins-Phillies game on Sunday, July 15 as the cast is reportedly set to make a second reunion appearance, this time with commemorative bobblesheads for the first 2,000 fans.