Legends Never Die: Where The Sandlot Cast Is Now In 2025 (The Shocking Truth About Smalls, Benny, And Squints)

The Sandlot, released over three decades ago in 1993, remains one of the most beloved coming-of-age films in cinematic history. Its timeless story of baseball, summer friendship, and facing your fears continues to resonate with new generations, making the lives of its young stars a topic of perennial curiosity.

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the cast has been back in the spotlight, celebrating the film's 30th anniversary and sharing deeply personal, sometimes shocking, life updates. From a beloved star’s recent passing to a major career shift for "Benny The Jet" and legal troubles for "Smalls," here is the definitive, up-to-date look at where the boys of summer are now.

The Sandlot Cast: A Complete Roster and Current Biography

The iconic ensemble of *The Sandlot* brought a dynamic energy to the screen, creating characters that are still quoted today. Here is a biographical breakdown of the main cast members and the latest news on their lives.

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• Tom Guiry (Scott "Scotty" Smalls): Born October 12, 1981, in Tom's River, New Jersey. Guiry made his film debut as the new kid in town who couldn't play baseball. He continued acting in films like *Lassie* (1994), *Mystic River* (2003), and *Black Hawk Down* (2001).
• Mike Vitar (Benjamin "Benny The Jet" Rodriguez): Born December 21, 1978, in Los Angeles, California. Vitar was the heart of the team, known for his speed and skill. He also starred in *The Mighty Ducks* (1992) and *D2: The Mighty Ducks* (1994).
• Patrick Renna (Hamilton "Ham" Porter): Born March 3, 1979, in Boston, Massachusetts. Renna’s character was the hilarious, trash-talking catcher. He is also known for *Son in Law* (1993) and *The Big Green* (1995).
• Chauncey Leopardi (Michael "Squints" Palledorous): Born June 14, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. Leopardi played the bespectacled kid famous for the legendary kiss. He appeared in *Casper* (1995) and *The Big Green* (1995).
• Marty York (Alan "Yeah-Yeah" McClennan): Born August 23, 1980, in California. York played the fast-talking kid who always agreed with a "Yeah-Yeah." He has continued to take on minor acting roles.
• Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny "The Heater" DeNunez): Born August 22, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas. Adams was the team's pitcher. He is also famous for his roles in Michael Jackson's *Moonwalker* (1988) and *The Mighty Ducks* films.
• Grant Gelt (Bertram Grover Weeks): Born May 19, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Gelt played the mysterious kid who "was in a lot of trouble with his parents." He later became a talent manager.
• Victor DiMattia (Timmy Timmons): Born December 1980, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The older of the two Timmons brothers. He is known for *Turner & Hooch* (1989).
• Shane Obedzinski (Tommy "Repeat" Timmons): Born 1982, in Florida. The younger Timmons brother who repeated everything Timmy said.
• James Earl Jones (Mr. Mertle): Born January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. The legendary actor played the blind neighbor and owner of "The Beast." He is globally renowned as the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa.

The Legends Who Are Gone: Remembering James Earl Jones

The biggest and most recent news to shake the *Sandlot* community is the passing of one of its most iconic figures. The legendary actor James Earl Jones, who played the wise and kind Mr. Mertle, passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93.

While Jones only appeared in one pivotal scene, his presence and voice—known worldwide as Darth Vader and Mufasa—lent an enormous gravitas to the film. His character, Mr. Mertle, was the catalyst for Smalls’ final, heroic act and provided the famous line: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die."

His death marks a poignant moment for fans, reminding them that the "legends" of the film are now truly becoming immortalized in memory. The news, coming in the latter half of 2024, has led to a fresh wave of tributes across social media and fan communities, celebrating his career that spanned over seven decades.

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From Home Plate to the Firehouse: Benny's Shocking Career Change

Perhaps the most surprising career trajectory belongs to Mike Vitar, who played the cool, fast, and heroic Benjamin "Benny The Jet" Rodriguez. Vitar officially retired from acting in the early 2000s and pursued a career in public service.

Since 2002, Vitar has been a dedicated firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), a career he has now held for over 22 years. This shift from Hollywood stardom to a real-life hero role has captivated fans, who often praise him for his choice to step away from the spotlight and serve his community. He has consistently maintained a private life, staying out of the public eye except for occasional cast reunions.

Other cast members have also embraced life after acting, though in different ways:

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• Chauncey Leopardi (Squints): After leaving Hollywood, Leopardi settled in Los Angeles and is now a father of five. He is currently working in the increasingly popular cannabis industry, a significant pivot from his child star days, while still attending fan conventions.
• Patrick Renna (Ham Porter): Renna has become a social media favorite, often posting humorous content related to his iconic character. In a major life update, Renna and his wife, Jasmin, welcomed their third child, a daughter named Lily June, making him a father of three as of late 2024. He has also leveraged his character's fame to write a children's book, *A Little Slugger's Guide to the Game*, teaching young players life lessons.

Legal Drama, Tragic Loss, and The Future of the Sandlot Crew

The lives of the *Sandlot* boys haven't been without recent turbulence, providing some of the most dramatic and fresh updates for fans in 2024 and 2025.

The Troubles of Smalls and Bertram

Tom Guiry (Scotty Smalls) has faced legal issues in recent years. In a highly publicized event, Guiry was arrested on charges of assault, following an incident involving a neighbor and property damage. Despite this, he continues to work in film and attends fan events, balancing his acting career with personal challenges.

Similarly, Grant Gelt (Bertram Grover Weeks), who later became a successful talent manager, was also arrested in 2024 for alleged violent and threatening behavior against his neighbors, stemming from reported alcohol-related issues. These incidents highlight the struggles many child stars face transitioning into adulthood, a stark contrast to the innocent fun of the film.

Marty York's Personal Tragedy

In a deeply saddening personal update, Marty York (Yeah-Yeah McClennan) shared tragic news on social media regarding the death of his mother, who was killed in a crime. York has used his platform to seek justice and bring attention to the case, receiving an outpouring of support from the *Sandlot* community and his former cast mates.

Continuing the Legacy: The Play Forever Initiative

The 30th Anniversary of *The Sandlot* in 2023 brought many of the cast members back together for charity events and reunions, keeping the spirit of the film alive. More importantly, several cast members, including Grant Gelt, Victor DiMattia (Timmy Timmons), and Shane Obedzinski (Tommy "Repeat" Timmons), have channeled their fame into philanthropy.

They co-founded a non-profit organization called Play Forever, dedicated to helping kids through sports. This initiative allows them to pay forward the positive message of the movie by providing opportunities for children in underserved communities to play ball and learn important life lessons, echoing the themes of friendship and teamwork from the film.

The Quiet Life: Kenny DeNunez

Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny DeNunez), known for his roles in *The Mighty Ducks* and a young Michael Jackson in *Moonwalker*, has largely stepped away from mainstream acting to focus on a career in music, specifically as a rapper. While he maintains a lower profile, his dual legacy in two of the most popular 90s sports films ensures he remains a beloved figure at retrospective events.

The journey of the *Sandlot* cast members—from Hollywood stardom to firefighting, fatherhood, legal troubles, and charity work—proves that while the characters they played are immortalized, their real-life paths are as unique and unpredictable as any other adult's. The film’s message remains: no matter where life takes you, the bonds of that summer on the sandlot are truly legendary.