Angels in the Infield
Encyclopedia
Angels in the Infield is a 2000 Disney
television film, Directed by Robert King
. A follow on to the 1994 film Angels in the Outfield
, and the 1997 film Angels in the Endzone
, this motion-picture is about a group of angel
s trying to help a baseball
team win a championship game, while at the same time helping to reunite the team's pitcher's family. The Anaheim Angels
are again featured, in a reprise of the role that the team played during the 1994 version of, Angels in the Outfield film.
, where they played the Boston Red Sox
, and were one out away from making it to the World Series (this same situation occurred in real life, but in 1986, not 1992). When a rookie playing for the Red Sox hit
s a ground ball to Everett, he bobbles it and is unable to get him out, while the runners
he let on base score. Losing a chance to make it to the World Series
. Ever since then, Everett had never been the same pitcher
, or the same person.
Six years later, Everett and his wife are divorced, and he has barely kept contact with their thirteen year old daughter, Laurel. However, at a game where the Anaheim Angels are playing the fictional Arizona Crimson Devils, and the Angels lose, his ex-wife says that she is taking a job in Boston and is leaving Laurel with him. When he takes her back home, she realizes that her father's life isn't at all what she thought it'd be. He can't get over losing that game his rookie year, and she prays that he can get a second chance.
After hearing this prayer, real angel, and former California Angels pitcher Bob Bugler, is sent to help her. Bob and other angels help the team have an incredible winning streak, right when Everett was about to get cut from the team. Soon, Eddie's game improves, as well as his relationship with Laurel.
As the season ends, the Angels and the Crimson Devils are forced to play in a one game playoff
to determine which team will represent their division
in the postseason. The actual devil
makes a deal with the Crimson Devils' star player a.k.a. the player who hit the grounder that blew the 1992 ALCS for the Angels, for Eddie to lose the game, and everything he cares about, in exchange for his soul. The player agrees.
The devil makes the game delayed thanks to rain, and Eddie leaves to see his daughter's ballet recital. To get Eddie to the game faster, Bob speeds up the recital. When Eddie gets to the game, the Crimson Devils are up 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Angels soon score three runs thanks to a home run
by a player who had a demon holding him back. When Laurel asks Bob why he didn't do anything about it, he replies that the angels aren't allowed to help in championships. When the ninth inning comes, Eddie gets two quick outs, but then a player hits a triple. Then, the same player who blew the game for Eddie his rookie year comes to the plate, and Eddie asks God what to do, then Bob comes up to him on the mound and tells him that his angel just arrived, and he looks in the stands to see his ex-wife, Claire, standing there. After this, Eddie pitches to him, and he hits a ground ball just like the one he hit in their rookie year, but this time, Eddie manages to get it, and he throws it to first to end the game, and save his career. He hugs Laurel after the game, and kisses Claire.
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
television film, Directed by Robert King
Robert King (writer)
-Career:King began his career writing the television movie Imaginary Friends in 1983. The film was directed by Michael Darlow.He wrote the science fiction horror film The Nest in 1988 and action sequel Silk 2 in 1989...
. A follow on to the 1994 film Angels in the Outfield
Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)
Angels in the Outfield is a 1994 remake of the 1951 film of the same name. The film stars Danny Glover, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd, and features appearances from future stars, including Adrien Brody, Matthew McConaughey, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Neal McDonough.Unlike the original, which...
, and the 1997 film Angels in the Endzone
Angels in the Endzone
Angels in the Endzone is a 1997 American film directed by Gary Nadeau and starring Christopher Lloyd. The film is about a high school football team that lacks skill.-Plot:...
, this motion-picture is about a group of angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s trying to help a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team win a championship game, while at the same time helping to reunite the team's pitcher's family. The Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
are again featured, in a reprise of the role that the team played during the 1994 version of, Angels in the Outfield film.
Plot
When Eddie Everett was a rookie in 1992, he was one of the best pitchers of his time. He led the California Angels to the American League Championship SeriesAmerican League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
, where they played the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, and were one out away from making it to the World Series (this same situation occurred in real life, but in 1986, not 1992). When a rookie playing for the Red Sox hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
s a ground ball to Everett, he bobbles it and is unable to get him out, while the runners
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
he let on base score. Losing a chance to make it to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. Ever since then, Everett had never been the same pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, or the same person.
Six years later, Everett and his wife are divorced, and he has barely kept contact with their thirteen year old daughter, Laurel. However, at a game where the Anaheim Angels are playing the fictional Arizona Crimson Devils, and the Angels lose, his ex-wife says that she is taking a job in Boston and is leaving Laurel with him. When he takes her back home, she realizes that her father's life isn't at all what she thought it'd be. He can't get over losing that game his rookie year, and she prays that he can get a second chance.
After hearing this prayer, real angel, and former California Angels pitcher Bob Bugler, is sent to help her. Bob and other angels help the team have an incredible winning streak, right when Everett was about to get cut from the team. Soon, Eddie's game improves, as well as his relationship with Laurel.
As the season ends, the Angels and the Crimson Devils are forced to play in a one game playoff
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
to determine which team will represent their division
Division (sport)
In sports, a division is a group of teams who compete against each other for a championship.-League system:In sports using a league system , a division consists a group of teams who play a sport at a similar competitive level...
in the postseason. The actual devil
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
makes a deal with the Crimson Devils' star player a.k.a. the player who hit the grounder that blew the 1992 ALCS for the Angels, for Eddie to lose the game, and everything he cares about, in exchange for his soul. The player agrees.
The devil makes the game delayed thanks to rain, and Eddie leaves to see his daughter's ballet recital. To get Eddie to the game faster, Bob speeds up the recital. When Eddie gets to the game, the Crimson Devils are up 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Angels soon score three runs thanks to a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
by a player who had a demon holding him back. When Laurel asks Bob why he didn't do anything about it, he replies that the angels aren't allowed to help in championships. When the ninth inning comes, Eddie gets two quick outs, but then a player hits a triple. Then, the same player who blew the game for Eddie his rookie year comes to the plate, and Eddie asks God what to do, then Bob comes up to him on the mound and tells him that his angel just arrived, and he looks in the stands to see his ex-wife, Claire, standing there. After this, Eddie pitches to him, and he hits a ground ball just like the one he hit in their rookie year, but this time, Eddie manages to get it, and he throws it to first to end the game, and save his career. He hugs Laurel after the game, and kisses Claire.
Cast
- Patrick WarburtonPatrick WarburtonPatrick John Warburton is an American actor of television, film, and voice. He is best known for his several TV roles, including the title role of The Tick, David Puddy on Seinfeld, the evil Johnny Johnson on NewsRadio, and anchorman Jeb Denton on Less Than Perfect...
as Eddie Everett - Brittney Irvin as Laurel
- David Alan GrierDavid Alan GrierDavid Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
as Bob "Bungler" Bugler - Colin FoxColin Fox (actor)Colin Fox is a Canadian actor. His acting credits include playing Jean Paul Desmond and Jacques Eloi Des Mondes in Strange Paradise , as well as voice work in various animated series, and in other roles in film, television and on the stage...
as The Devil - Kurt FullerKurt FullerKurt Fuller is an American character actor. He has appeared in a number of television, film, and stage projects. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Stockton, California in 1971.-Career:...
as Simon - Rebecca JenkinsRebecca Jenkins-Acting:She had starring roles in the 1990s CBC series Black Harbour, and the films Bye Bye Blues, Marion Bridge, Wilby Wonderful, Whole New Thing, South of Wawa and Supervolcano. She also had a supporting role in the 1992 film Bob Roberts, as Dolores Perrigrew...
as Claire
See also
- Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)Angels in the Outfield is a 1994 remake of the 1951 film of the same name. The film stars Danny Glover, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd, and features appearances from future stars, including Adrien Brody, Matthew McConaughey, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Neal McDonough.Unlike the original, which...
- Angels in the EndzoneAngels in the EndzoneAngels in the Endzone is a 1997 American film directed by Gary Nadeau and starring Christopher Lloyd. The film is about a high school football team that lacks skill.-Plot:...