You know the line. You’ve probably shouted it at a friend who didn’t get a reference: "You're killing me, Smalls!" It is the quintessential 90s movie quote. But have you ever actually stopped to think about the kid behind the hat? Most people just see the character—the shy, nerdy kid who didn't know who the Great Bambino was. He was the heart of the movie.
Tom Guiry is the actor who plays Smalls in The Sandlot, and honestly, his journey from a New Jersey suburban kid to a cult cinema icon is a lot more complex than just catching a fly ball in his glove.
He was only twelve. Imagine being twelve years old and suddenly becoming the face of childhood nostalgia for an entire generation. That’s a heavy lift. Most child stars burn out or disappear into the "where are they now" abyss of daytime television. Guiry didn't exactly do that, but he didn't become a Marvel superhero either. He stayed a working actor. He chose grit over glitz.
The Audition That Changed Everything for Tom Guiry
When we talk about the casting of Scott Smalls, it’s easy to assume it was a simple process. It wasn't. Director David Mickey Evans needed someone who looked like they actually belonged in 1962. Not a polished "Hollywood" kid. He needed a kid who looked like he’d never held a baseball in his life because, well, the character hadn’t.
Guiry almost didn't get the part. He was up against hundreds of other boys. What sold the producers wasn't just his acting; it was his inherent "new kid" energy. He had this way of looking slightly out of place that felt authentic. If you watch the movie today, pay attention to his physical comedy. The way he runs? That’s not just a kid being awkward for the camera. That’s a kid leaning into the vulnerability of being the outsider.
The chemistry on that set was real. They weren't just actors; they were a pack of kids dumped in Salt Lake City during a brutal summer. It was hot. It was 110 degrees on some days. Guiry has mentioned in various retrospective interviews that the camaraderie you see on screen—the teasing, the laughter, the vomit-inducing carnival ride—wasn't just scripted. They were actually living that summer.
Life After the Beast
Once the movie hit theaters in 1993, it wasn't an immediate blockbuster. It was a slow burn. It found its legs on VHS. (Remember those?) Because of that slow rise to fame, Guiry had a bit of a buffer before the world started recognizing him on every street corner.
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But as the movie grew into a legend, the pressure grew too.
He didn't just stop at The Sandlot. That’s the biggest misconception people have. They think he peaked at twelve. Not even close. Guiry went on to have a career that most actors would kill for, even if he isn't a household name like DiCaprio. He showed up in U-571. He was in Black Hawk Down. He played a pivotal role in the rugged, short-lived (but brilliant) NBC series The Black Donnellys.
He’s a character actor. He’s the guy you see on screen and think, "Wait, I know him from somewhere." That "somewhere" is usually a high-stakes drama where he’s playing someone much more intense than Scotty Smalls.
The Reality of Being "Smalls" Forever
It's a double-edged sword. You play a character so beloved that people never want you to grow up. Guiry has had some rough patches in the public eye, which is common for anyone who grows up in the industry. There were legal hiccups, most notably an incident at an airport in 2013 that made the tabloids. It was a "Where Are They Now" moment that felt a bit cruel.
People wanted him to stay the innocent kid in the PF Flyers.
But humans are messy. Actors are humans. Guiry has been incredibly open about the highs and lows of his life. He’s a father now. He lives a relatively quiet life in New Jersey, far away from the Hollywood hills. When he does fan conventions, he’s reportedly one of the kindest guys in the room. He understands that for most people, he represents their own childhood summers. That’s a gift he treats with respect.
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Why The Sandlot Still Hits Different
Why do we care who plays Smalls? Why does this specific role still trend decades later?
It’s because Scott Smalls is the surrogate for the audience. He is us. We all remember what it felt like to be the new kid. We all remember that one person—the "Benny the Jet" in our lives—who took a chance on us when we were losers. Guiry captured that wide-eyed desperation to belong.
If he had played it too cool, the movie would have failed. If he had played it too goofy, it would have been a cartoon. He threaded the needle.
- The PF Flyers factor: The shoes became iconic because of the way he looked at them.
- The Babe Ruth ball: That look of pure, unadulterated terror when he realizes he lost his stepdad's trophy is top-tier acting.
- The "L-7 Weenie" moment: His reaction to being insulted is so genuine it hurts to watch.
Career Evolution: Beyond the Diamond
If you want to see what Tom Guiry is actually capable of as a dramatic actor, you have to look past the baseball field.
Take The Black Donnellys. He played Jimmy Donnelly, a character who is the polar opposite of Scotty Smalls. Jimmy was volatile, drug-addicted, and dangerous. Guiry disappeared into it. It was a masterclass in shedding a childhood image.
He also appeared in The Revenant alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. It was a small role, but being cast by Alejandro G. Iñárritu says a lot about your standing in the industry. You don't get into an Oscar-winning film like that if you're just "the kid from that one baseball movie." You get there because you have range.
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The Financial Side of Nostalgia
People often wonder if the kids from The Sandlot are rich.
The reality of 90s kid-actor contracts is complicated. There weren't the same streaming residuals back then. While the movie has made millions for the studio over the years through DVD sales and TV licensing, the actors aren't necessarily sitting on mountains of gold. Guiry has worked consistently because he has to, and because he wants to. He’s a blue-collar actor.
There’s something very fitting about that. Scotty Smalls was a blue-collar kid.
Where is Tom Guiry Now?
Today, Guiry is in his early 40s. He still takes roles that interest him, but he isn't chasing the spotlight. He’s been involved in some indie projects and still makes appearances for Sandlot anniversaries.
There’s always talk about a sequel or a TV series. Every few years, rumors swirl that the original cast is coming back. If that happens, Guiry is the lynchpin. You can't have a Sandlot revival without Smalls. He is the narrator of the story, after all.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
- They all stayed friends: Mostly, yes. The cast is surprisingly tight-knit. They often reunite for charity baseball games.
- Guiry was a baseball pro: Nope. He actually had to be coached to look like he couldn't play, which is harder than it looks.
- He’s retired: Not at all. He’s still active in the Screen Actors Guild.
How to Follow His Work Today
If you’re a fan of the man who plays Smalls, don’t just stop at the 1993 classic. There’s a whole filmography to explore that shows the depth of his talent.
- Watch Mystic River: He has a role in this Clint Eastwood masterpiece.
- Check out Strangers with Candy: He shows up in the film version of this cult comedy.
- Revisit Black Hawk Down: Look closely during the intense combat scenes; Guiry is right there in the thick of it as Sgt. Ed Yurek.
Guiry’s career serves as a reminder that being a "child star" doesn't have to be a tragedy. It can just be the first chapter of a very long, very interesting book. He didn't let the character of Smalls define him, but he also didn't run away from it. He embraced the fact that he’s part of American film history.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to support the legacy of the film and the actors, look for official 30th-anniversary merchandise or attend a screening where the cast is present. Many of the original "Sandlot kids" participate in events that fund youth baseball programs, keeping the spirit of the movie alive in a way that actually helps communities. You can also follow the social media accounts of his co-stars like Patrick Renna (Ham) or Chauncey Leopardi (Squints), as they often share updates and behind-the-scenes stories involving Guiry and the rest of the gang.