now that we're all caught up, let's play a little connect the dots game. because you see, the sandlot was more than just a movie to me. in fact, it's the reason i started loving baseball. did it inspire me to strap on some cleats and start sweating out in the middle of the diamond? heavens no. don't be crazy. but did it instill a love of watching this classic, timeless game? absolutely.
and you know what else? when the 6 year old version of myself first saw this movie, i fell for it. i fell hard. and not just for the movie. i fell flat on my little face for benny. and i honestly don't believe it was simply for his athletic prowess or his dark and mysterious good looks. (yes, even as a little tot i was very well informed about what was hot).
you know what made my barely-in-elementary-school self melt? it was his kindness. when smalls would rather run a ball (which he couldn't catch in the first place) back to the pitcher instead of throwing it, and when all the other guys were shouting that smalls was an L-7 weenie, benny stood strong. his heart was kind. and when you move around every 3-4 years as a kid, you cling to kind people for all they're worth knowing that they'll always have your back.
so you know what? the sandlot may have tipped off the younger version of myself that baseball players were drool worthy, but it showed me something more important about myself. that i like kind people. and i think that's the best kind of thing a 6 year old can learn.
and of course, it doesn't hurt when those kind people are hot.
[side note: did i know i liked kind people at the age of 6? probably not. but hindsight's 20/20. did benny's hottness help me love him initially? probably. but his kindness kept me rooting for him even when hotty phillips came on screen.]
