Recommended Sports Documentaries for the Second Half of the Summer
Recommended Sports Documentaries for the Second Half of the Summer
By Mike Guadagnino, Recreation Commission Chair
Staying with the summer theme that we shared last month (Book Recommendations by the Recreation Commission), in August we’re going to recommend sports documentaries. Most of you have probably watched the Jordan, Jeter or Brady documentaries. Instead, these are lesser known and a little off beat documentaries with high sports appeal and even higher learning value. By studying the path and mind set of highly successful athletes, coaches and programs, you are given an inside view to their path towards success.
Undefeated on Netflix. A story about an inner-city Memphis football program from an underfunded school district. The Manassas Tiger have never won a playoff game in its school history. This doc deals with the issues these kids experience; who seem to always be swimming upstream, in football, in education and in life. This is a school that cannot afford to pay its coaches but are led by some very dedicated volunteers and one special head coach who dedicates his life to seeing these boys out of their current situation. This film won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2012.
The Weight of Glory on HBO. Unbeknownst to those not in the athletic world, mental illness, depression, anxiety and suicide are quite prevalent. This documentary takes the viewer into the lives of extremely highly competitive and successful athletes such as Michael Phelps, Sasha Cohen, Apolo Ohno and more. Athletes don’t usually talk about their weaknesses but this doc dives into their issues, their darkness and what is needed to offer support. An eye-opening documentary.
Screwball on multiple streaming networks. A documentary about the early 2000 steroid scandal that rocked the MLB. It not only effected the players of 2006 but skewed the record books forever. It is told in a very funny way which I won’t disclose as to not spoil the production. In the end Arod, Barry Bonds and a few others are not portrayed very well. Again, a funny documentary about a real topic.
The Battered Bastards of Baseball on Netflix. Actor Kurt Russel’s Dad, Bing who was on the television show Bonanza, owned a minor baseball league team in Portland Oregon. The Portland Mavericks were a team of outcasts and misfits. They were an independent program not affiliated with the MLB, but played against A-level MLB farm competition. The owner part Hollywood showman and part baseball aficionado made the team successful both on and off the field as he broke attendance records and produced a winning product. This is a light-hearted look at how the game or any game should be fun.
Untold: Crimes and Penalties on Netflix. The Danbury Trashers hockey team were the real deal. Named after the owner’s livelihood, he was in the waste management business, who built a team that reflected his personality. This doc would be enjoyed by hockey fans and mob story fans alike; and even better if you like both genres. Just a few miles north of Oakland was a minor league UHL hockey team that took over the state of Connecticut and made most teams they played very uneasy. The team disbanded due to “legal issues” but left behind a beautiful ice arena that is still used today.
On those rainy days when you we can’t go outside, check out these documentaries, you might enjoy them.