Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)

Theatrical release poster

***Angels in the Outfield*** is a 1994 American family sports fantasy comedy-drama film directed by William Dear. It is a remake of the 1951 film of the same name. It stars Danny Glover, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd, and features several future stars, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt (in the lead), Adrien Brody, Matthew McConaughey, and Neal McDonough. It was followed by two made for TV sequels, *Angels in the Endzone* and *Angels in the Infield*. It was released less than a month before the 1994 MLB Baseball Strike, which forced the league to cancel the playoffs and the World Series.

## Plot

Young foster child Roger Bomman and his friend, J.P., love to sneak into baseball games of the struggling California Angels. Still in limited contact with his widowed father, Roger asks when they will be a family again. His father replies sarcastically, "I'd say when the Angels win the pennant." Taking his father's words literally, he prays for God to help the Angels win. In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays which Roger and J.P. attend, he sees a group of angels led by Al helping the team. Although he can see them quite clearly, everyone else can only explain the seemingly impossible acts as freak occurrences. Roger's unique ability to see which players are receiving help from angels leads their skeptical manager George Knox to keep him around as a good luck charm and consultant. Due to the much-needed help, the Angels start to win games and make a surprising second-half surge to the top of their division.

Roger's father permanently gives up custody of him, believing it is in Roger's best interest. As Roger laments his loss, an equally distraught J.P. accidentally reveals to antagonistic sportscaster Ranch Wilder that Roger has the ability to see angels, and that George has been winning through the advice Roger gave him. Hoping to destroy George's career in baseball due to a long-time mutual hatred between them, Ranch informs the press of this, and their owner Hank Murphy threatens to relieve George of his management responsibilities. Roger comes clean to his caretaker Maggie Nelson about his special ability, and at a press conference, they and the entire team defend George in front of the press. Moved by their faith, Murphy allows him to remain as the Angels' manager.

During the final game of the season against the rival Chicago White Sox, none of the angels show up to help the team. Later on, Al appears to Roger and explains that championships must be decided without the angels' intervention. He also says that he is there to check on pitcher Mel Clark, who only has months to live due to his years of smoking and will become an angel himself. Mel struggles in the ninth inning but perseveres after encouragement from George, his team, and the fans in attendance. The Angels ultimately win the game on their own and clinch the division title and the pennant. Murphy fires Ranch because of his denigration of the team. George adopts Roger and J.P., as he wants to try to be a father. J.P. sees Al and says, "I knew it could happen." Al flies off and says, "We're always watching".

## Cast

* Danny Glover as George Knox (Angels Manager)
* Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Roger Bomman
* Brenda Fricker as Maggie Nelson (Foster Mom)
* Tony Danza as Mel Clark (Angels Pitcher)
* Christopher Lloyd as Al "The Boss" Angel
* Ben Johnson as Hank Murphy (Angels Owner)
* Jay O. Sanders as Ranch Wilder (Angels Sportscaster)
* Milton Davis Jr. as J.P.
* Taylor Negron as David Montagne (Angels team assistant)
* Tony Longo as Triscuitt Messmer (Angels Catcher)
* Neal McDonough as Whitt Bass (Angels Pitcher)
* Stoney Jackson as Ray Mitchell (Angels Third Baseman)
* Adrien Brody as Danny Hemmerling (Angels Utility Player)
* Tim Conlon as Wally (Angels Color Commentator)
* Matthew McConaughey as Ben Williams (Angels Outfielder)
* Israel Juarbe as Jose Martinez (Angels Second Baseman)
* Albert Garcia as Pablo Garcia (Angels Shortstop)
* Dermot Mulroney as Mr. Bomman (Roger's Father)
* Robert Clohessy as Frank Gates (Angels Pitcher)
* Danny Walcoff as Marvin
* O.B. Babbs as Mapel (Angels Player)
* Mitchell Page as Abascal (Angels First Baseman)
* Carney Lansford as Kit "Hit or Die" Kesey
* Bill Dear as Blue Jays Manager
* Mark Cole as Norton (Angel Outfielder)
* Jeff Seaberg as Popcorn Vendor
* Jonathan Proby as Miguel Scott