“This is the true story of a family of baseball hustlers,” begins the trailer for the new sports documentary The Saint of Second Chances. Starting in the ’70s, Bill Veeck and his son Mike unshackled America’s favorite pastime from its dusty traditions and pushed a new vision for what a day at the ballpark looked like, turning it into something that was actually fun — with fireworks, wacky on-field events, and one of baseball’s most disastrous promotional stunts.
From Oscar winner Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?) and Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol) in collaboration with Major League Baseball, The Saint of Second Chances introduces us to Bill and Mike Veeck and the trials and tribulations of their baseball dynasty.
Mike Veeck holds a St. Paul Saints jersey
Check it out at the top of this article.
Mike Veeck and his late daughter, Rebecca Veeck
Bill Veeck was a legendary MLB franchise owner and promoter known for his over-the-top personality and showstopping ballpark stunts: Giveaways, exploding scoreboards, and even luxury suites at stadiums can all be credited to this guy. At different times, he owned the White Sox, the Cleveland Guardians (then the Cleveland Indians), and the St. Louis Browns (now the Baltimore Orioles).
Known as “the funniest man in baseball,” Mike Veeck is an industry exec, promoter, and the longtime owner of a handful of independent and Minor League Baseball teams, including the St. Paul Saints. A champion of the sport, he became well-known for his innovative promo stunts in the ’80s and ’90s. Mike is the former sales VP of the MLB team the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mike Veeck alongside his children, Rebecca Veeck and Night Train Veeck
The documentary tells the stories of Bill and Mike Veeck, who created a baseball dynasty. After the then-White Sox owner, Bill, hired Mike to work alongside him, the two revolutionized modern baseball using fun and often outrageous marketing schemes. But one time, Mike went too far — leading to what’s now known as Disco Demolition Night. The stunt ended in a violent riot, and became one of the most disastrous promotions in MLB history. When Bill sold the White Sox in the early ’80s, Mike’s career sputtered. Essentially blackballed from the MLB, falling into debt, and desperate to get back on everyone’s good sides, Mike became manager of an independent league, the St. Paul Saints. Determined to live up to his father’s name, Mike worked tirelessly to get back into the MLB’s good graces. The film traces the history of Bill and his son, and reflects on the complicated legacies found not only in sports, but among parents and their children.
Mike Veeck
The documentary takes place in Chicago.
