Rookie of the Year
Movie, 1993, The Early 90s, Set in Wrigley Field
Rookie of the Year is #12 of 27 in release order and #12 of 27 in chronological order in the VHS Kids Classics.
The story
When the cast comes off his once broken arm, a 12-year-old boy can throw a 100-mile-an-hour fastball, and the Chicago Cubs want him as their new pitcher.
Rookie of the Year recap
Henry Rowengartner is a twelve-year-old Little Leaguer with no talent who lives with his mother Mary. He breaks his arm, and when the cast comes off, the tendons have healed so tightly that he can throw over 100 miles an hour. At Wrigley Field, he throws a home run ball back to home plate on the fly, and the Chicago Cubs' general manager, desperate to sell tickets, signs him. Henry becomes a star relief pitcher and a celebrity, looking up to the aging pitcher Chet Steadman. Mary's boyfriend Jack, who acts as Henry's agent, gets Steadman released and tricks Mary into a deal to sell Henry to the Yankees, so she throws him out. Henry's fame also strains his friendship with George, and he decides to finish the season and then give up baseball.
Rookie of the Year ending explained
In the final game against the Mets, Steadman injures his arm and Henry comes in, but he slips and his arm goes back to normal. He finishes the inning with tricks, including a hidden-ball play, and strikes out the Mets' slugger Heddo with a slow floater his mother signals from the stands. The Cubs win the division and later the World Series. Next spring, Henry plays Little League again, coached by Mary and Steadman.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Rookie of the Year
Rookie of the Year is streaming on Disney+ and Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 43%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Sandlot, before Hocus Pocus.
- Chronological order: after The Mighty Ducks, before Hocus Pocus.
Cast
- Thomas Ian Nicholas as Henry Rowengartner
- Gary Busey as Chet Steadman
- Albert Hall as Sal Martinella
- Amy Morton as Mary Rowengartner
- Dan Hedaya as Larry 'Fish' Fisher
- Bruce Altman as Jack Bradfield
- Eddie Bracken as Bob Carson
- Robert Hy Gorman as Clark (as Robert Gorman)
- Patrick LaBrecque as George
- Daniel Stern as Phil Brickma
- Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine as Becky
- Tom Milanovich as Heddo
Directed by Daniel Stern.