You’re killing me, Smalls.
Seriously. We've all said it. It’s been over thirty years since that scrawny kid in the fishing hat stepped onto the dirt diamond and met Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez. At this point, The Sandlot isn't just a movie; it's a permanent fixture of American nostalgia, right up there with apple pie and ruining your life by trying to jump a fence to get a baseball back from a giant English Mastiff. But nostalgia is a tricky thing. We see these kids frozen in 1962, wearing PF Flyers and chewing Big Chief tobacco (which, looking back, was a wild choice for a PG movie), and we forget that time actually moves forward.
People always ask about The Sandlot cast today like they expect them to still be hanging out at the local pool or getting sick on a carnival ride. The reality is way more interesting—and a bit more complicated—than just "where are they now." Some of them stayed in the spotlight, one became a literal firefighter, and a few had some pretty public struggles.
Let's get into the weeds of what happened after the summer of '62 ended.
Mike Vitar: From "The Jet" to the Fire Department
If you grew up in the 90s, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez was the pinnacle of cool. He was the kid who could outrun a dog named Hercules and look effortless doing it. Mike Vitar, the actor who brought Benny to life, had a brief run in Hollywood after the film, most notably appearing in the Mighty Ducks sequels as Luis Mendoza. But then? He just kind of walked away.
💡 You might also like: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Vitar didn't want the Hollywood grind. By the early 2000s, he transitioned into a completely different kind of heroism. He joined the Los Angeles Fire Department. He’s been a firefighter for over two decades now. Honestly, there’s something poetic about the fastest kid on the sandlot becoming a first responder. It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Back in 2015, Vitar was involved in a legal incident during a Halloween party that resulted in some serious legal trouble and a suspension from the force. He eventually returned to work, but it was a rare moment where "The Jet" made headlines for something other than a nostalgic reunion.
Tom Guiry: Smalls is All Grown Up
Tom Guiry played Scotty Smalls, the kid who didn't know who Babe Ruth was (the Great Bambino? The Sultan of Swat?!). Guiry has actually stayed more active in the acting world than many of his costars. You might have spotted him in Black Hawk Down, Mystic River, or even an episode of Law & Order. He’s a "working actor" in the truest sense of the word.
But being Smalls comes with a lot of baggage. Imagine being fifty years old and having strangers yell "You're killing me, Smalls!" at you in the grocery store. He’s handled it with a mix of grace and the occasional headline. A few years back, he had a run-in at an airport that made the rounds on TMZ, reminding everyone that child stars are, surprisingly, human beings with bad days. Despite that, Guiry remains a staple at fan conventions, often appearing alongside the rest of the crew to sign balls and talk about that legendary summer.
The Ham Porter Legacy: Patrick Renna
Patrick Renna is the undisputed king of keeping the spirit of the movie alive. As Ham Porter, he had the best lines, the best insults ("You bob for apples in the toilet! And you like it!"), and the best technique for making s'mores. Out of everyone in The Sandlot cast today, Renna is the one who has leaned most into the legacy.
📖 Related: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
He’s a father now, and he frequently posts hilarious videos on TikTok and Instagram recreating scenes from the movie with his son. It’s meta, it’s cute, and it’s savvy. Renna has built a whole brand around being "the guy from The Sandlot," but he’s also continued to work in TV, with roles in GLOW and The X-Files back in the day. He’s basically the glue that keeps the fan base connected to the original film.
The Rest of the Boys: Where Life Took Them
When you look at the wider roster, the paths diverge wildly.
- Chauncey Leopardi (Squints): The kid who faked drowning just to get a kiss from Wendy Peffercorn. Leopardi has popped up in shows like Freaks and Geeks, but mostly he’s transitioned into the cannabis industry. He still wears the thick black frames occasionally for fans, but he’s shifted his focus toward business.
- Marty York (Yeah-Yeah): York has had a bit of a rocky road, including some legal issues and a stint on Divorce Court that went viral for all the wrong reasons. However, he’s a massive fitness enthusiast now and frequently hits the gym, looking absolutely nothing like the scrawny kid shouting "Yeah-Yeah!" at everything.
- Grant Gelt (Bertram): The kid who "got really into the 60s and was never heard from again." In real life, Gelt didn't disappear at a rock concert; he moved behind the scenes into the music industry and artist management.
- Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny DeNunez): Adams was already a star before the movie (shout out to The People Under the Stairs and The Mighty Ducks). He still acts occasionally and has done voice work, including the voice of Rai in Kingdom Hearts II.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With The Sandlot Cast Today
Why does Google get slammed with searches for these guys every single summer? It’s because The Sandlot captures a specific type of childhood that doesn't really exist anymore—the kind where you leave the house in the morning and don't come back until the streetlights come on. Seeing the cast today is a reality check. It’s a reminder that even the kids who lived the "perfect" summer had to grow up, pay taxes, and deal with the messiness of adulthood.
There was a rumor for a long time about a Disney+ TV series featuring the original cast as adults, playing the roles of the parents to a new generation of ballplayers. David Mickey Evans, the original writer and director, was pushing hard for it. Unfortunately, reports lately suggest the project has stalled or been shelved due to various production hurdles. It's a bummer, but maybe it's for the best. Sometimes you can't go home again, and you definitely can't go back to the sandlot once it's been paved over.
👉 See also: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The Tragic Loss of Art LaFleur
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning the "adults" in the room. While James Earl Jones (Mr. Mertle) is a living legend who recently retired his voice as Darth Vader, we lost Art LaFleur in 2021. He played the ghost of Babe Ruth—the one who gave Benny the advice that "legends never die." His passing was a huge blow to the fans and the cast alike. He provided the moral compass for the movie, and his real-life reputation was just as solid as the "Big Bam" himself.
Actionable Steps for Sandlot Fans
If you're looking to reconnect with the movie or see the cast in action, don't just wait for a TV reboot that might never happen.
- Follow Patrick Renna on Social Media: If you want the "real" behind-the-scenes updates, his Instagram is the place. He often does "Sandlot Saturdays" and interacts with the other guys.
- Check Convention Circuits: Tom Guiry, Chauncey Leopardi, and Marty York are frequent guests at comic cons and nostalgia events. They often do group signings where you can get a "beast-bitten" ball autographed.
- Support the "22nd Century" Projects: Many of the cast members have moved into producing or independent ventures. Brandon Quintin Adams and Grant Gelt are active in the creative space behind the camera.
- Watch "The Sandlot" Documentary: There are several "making of" specials available on YouTube and streaming services that dive into the actual filming in Utah, which was apparently a 100-degree nightmare for those kids.
The story of the cast isn't just about what happened on screen. It’s about nine kids who became immortalized in a story about friendship, and then had to navigate the very un-cinematic world of growing up. They aren't the kids from the poster anymore, but for a lot of us, they'll always be the ones who stood up to The Beast.