Baseball movies usually fall into two camps: the gritty ones where everyone spits tobacco, and the tear-jerkers that make you want to call your dad. The Perfect Game, released back in 2009, manages to hit a weird, sweet spot right in the middle. It’s based on the true story of the 1957 Monterrey Industrial Little League team—a group of kids from Mexico who shocked the world by winning the Little League World Series with a perfect game.
It’s a miracle story. Seriously.
But when you look back at The Perfect Game cast, it’s actually kind of wild to see who was in this thing before they became massive stars or while they were at the height of their "character actor" powers. You’ve got a mix of Hollywood veterans, a sitcom legend, and a bunch of kids who basically grew up on camera in the years that followed.
The Big Names Leading the Charge
If you're watching this movie for the first time or revisiting it on a streaming service, the first face you’ll recognize is Clifton Collins Jr. He plays Cesar Faz. Now, Collins Jr. is one of those guys who has been in everything from Westworld to Capote. He brings this grounded, slightly weary energy to the role of the coach who had a job with the St. Louis Cardinals but ended up back in Monterrey.
He's the heart. Without his performance, the movie might have drifted too far into "Hallmark" territory.
Then there’s Cheech Marin.
Most people know Cheech from, well, the obvious stoner comedies or as the voice of a hyena in The Lion King. In The Perfect Game, he plays Padre Esteban. He’s the spiritual backbone of the team. It’s a warmer, more restrained performance than people usually expect from him. He isn’t just there for comic relief; he provides the moral compass that keeps the kids—and the coach—focused when they face blatant racism and logistical nightmares while traveling through the Southern United States.
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The Kids: Where Are They Now?
The actual "players" are the reason the movie works. The standout is undoubtedly Jake T. Austin, who played Angel Macias.
If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you knew him as Max Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place. At the time, he was one of the biggest child stars on Disney Channel. Playing Angel was a huge departure for him. He had to carry the emotional weight of being the star pitcher—the kid who actually threw the perfect game in Williamsport.
He was young. He was talented. He actually looked like a ballplayer on screen.
Then you have Moises Arias, playing Mario Ontiveros. You probably remember him as Rico from Hannah Montana. He brings that same high-energy, slightly chaotic vibe to the team, which balances out the more serious tones of the film. It’s funny looking back because both Austin and Arias were Disney royalty at the time, but here they were playing impoverished kids in the 1950s.
The rest of the roster included:
- Ryan Ochoa as Norberto Villarreal (who later starred in Pair of Kings)
- Gabriel Morales as Ricardo Treviño
- Carlos Padilla as Baltazar Robles
- Mario Quiñonez Jr. as Gerardo Gonzalez
These kids weren't just actors; they had to undergo a mini-baseball boot camp. You can tell. Their movements on the field don't feel like the typical "actor-trying-to-throw-a-ball" awkwardness. It feels lived-in.
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Supporting Players and Surprising Cameos
Honestly, the supporting cast is where the movie gets its texture. Emilie de Ravin shows up as Frankie, a reporter. You’ll recognize her as Claire ("My baby!") from Lost or Belle from Once Upon a Time. Her character represents the media's growing fascination with this "Cinderella story" as the boys moved closer to the championship.
And we have to talk about Louis Gossett Jr. The man is a legend. An Academy Award winner. He plays Cool Papa Bell, a real-life legend from the Negro Leagues. His inclusion in the film is vital because it draws a direct parallel between the struggles of Black ballplayers in America and the discrimination the Mexican boys faced in the 50s. It’s a small role, but Gossett Jr. gives it a weight that a lesser actor would have missed.
Why This Cast Worked Despite the Delays
The movie didn't have an easy road. It was filmed around 2007 but didn't actually hit theaters until 2010 due to financial hiccups and distribution drama. Usually, when a movie sits on a shelf for three years, it’s a disaster.
But it wasn't.
Because the The Perfect Game cast was so earnest, the film feels timeless. It doesn't rely on 2009-era pop culture references. It’s a period piece. Whether you watch it in 2010 or 2026, the performances hold up because they are rooted in a very specific, true historical moment.
The Real People vs. The Actors
One of the coolest things about this production was how much the real-life Angel Macias and the surviving members of the 1957 team were involved. They didn't just sell the rights and walk away. They were on set. They talked to the kids.
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Clifton Collins Jr. spent time learning about the real Cesar Faz, who was a complex man. Faz wasn't just a "rah-rah" coach; he was a guy who had been humbled by the Major League system and found redemption in a group of kids who played for the love of the game rather than a paycheck.
The movie takes some liberties—most biopics do. For instance, the drama in the locker room or the specific timing of certain events was polished for Hollywood. But the essence of the cast’s chemistry? That was real. You can't fake the bond those boys had on screen.
Practical Insights for Fans of the Movie
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the story after watching the film, there are a few things you should actually do to get the full picture. The movie is the "Hollywood" version, but the reality is even more staggering.
- Watch the Documentary: Look for The Little Giants (Los Pequeños Gigantes). It’s the 1960 Mexican documentary about the same team. It features actual footage of the 1957 World Series.
- Check the Stats: Angel Macias’s performance in the final game is still the only perfect game ever thrown in a Little League World Series championship. That isn't a movie exaggeration; it's a statistical anomaly that hasn't been repeated in nearly 70 years.
- Read the Book: W. William Winokur wrote the novelization that the movie is based on. It digs much deeper into the poverty the kids faced in Monterrey before they started their winning streak.
- Follow the Cast: Many of the "kids" from the movie are still active in the industry. Moises Arias, in particular, has pivoted into incredible photography and indie film roles that are lightyears away from his Rico Suave days.
The legacy of the film isn't just about baseball. It's about a specific moment in history where a group of outsiders proved that "perfect" wasn't just a score on a board—it was a state of mind. Whether you're a sports fan or just someone who likes a good underdog story, the chemistry of this specific group of actors makes the 1957 Monterrey team feel alive again.
It’s worth the watch, if only to see a young cast that would eventually go on to shape a decade of entertainment.