The Sandlot is a classic film that picks up new fans every day. But one of the biggest fans will always be Patrick Renna.
Patrick starred in the film as Hamilton "Ham" Porter. While he's still occasionally acting (one of his more recent gigs was a few episodes of the Netflix series GLOW), The Sandlot is still one of his most recognizable roles. And that's probably because Patrick looks very similar to how he did back in 1993 when the movie first premiered.
The fan favorite has also become quite the family man. He and his wife, Jasmin, have two sons together — a boy, Flynn and a baby born in 2020 named Liam. While Liam is still at home, Flynn has been out and about, starting sports like many kids his age.
When he was 4,Flynn earned himself the nickname of "Smalls," which is yet another Sandlot reference. Tom Guiry played the role of Scotty Smalls in the movie, so the nickname is truly a term of endearment. As Patrick says in a video from 2021, Flynn suffered from his very first sports injury.
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"So 'Smalls,' AKA my 4-year-old son, Flynn, got his first black eye playing baseball, and I knew exactly what to do," Patrick says in the video. The video then cuts to Patrick and Flynn cuddling on the couch. Suddenly, as a surprise, Patrick gently slaps a steak on Flynn's eye, causing the little boy to crack up.
"If you know, you know," Patrick ended the video. Both he and son Flynn seemed to enjoy the moment. Fans of the movie will remember the steak scene well. It happened right after Scotty Smalls was trying to practice his swing but got injured instead.
Denis Leary's character gives him the steak and similarly slaps it on the way that Patrick does with Flynn. He suggests to leave it on for an hour. Ice would have probably worked just as well, but the steak made the scene so much funnier.
Patrick has always been quite a fan of the film. He's gotten a ton of public recognition for it the past two decades, and he always seems to show up for reunions, recognizing it for the iconic film it is. He actually helped host a reunion that happened online, back in July 2020. It was all done virtually, and it was a lot of fun for fans of the movie.
It seems like Patrick really keeps everything in balance. He's not afraid to take on other roles today, but he still pays tribute to the ones that made him famous. On TikTok, he's taken on the role of "Ham" again plenty of times and has already racked up over 2 million subscribers.
He actually pinpointed how it felt to be known for the role in one of his very first videos. He silently acts out what it's like to meet fans who recognize him from the role but admits it's lonely when they walk away, captioning the short video "always the bridesmaid." Patrick still seems new to the TikTok format but happens to crank out gold every time he posts.
He also dresses up like Ham a lot for TikTok, which is always funny to see. Patrick seems to have the entire film memorized, which makes his posts even more endearing. The movie will always have a special place in his heart. It's rare for someone to have their first movie experience become such a phenomenon, but Patrick seems to understand how special it is to be in his shoes.
Even though Ham is a big role to continue taking on, Patrick's best role is being a dad. The initial video with Flynn showcases nothing but love and affection, and he had a similar reaction to the birth of his son Liam, who was born on June 6, 2020.
In announcing the birth, Patrick also paid a high compliment to his wife. "You are a lucky little man to have a mama like you do," he said, per People. "I said this three years ago and I'll say it again, I'm in awe. Watching a woman give the gift of life is a very humbling experience. I don't know how you ladies do it, but we're not here without you so really glad you do!"
He also gave a shout-out to Flynn. "Couple other things Mr. Liam. You have an amazing big bro and I can't wait till you find that out for yourself," Patrick continued. "Take good care of each other. And hey, your dad ain't half bad, just let him have his coffee first. Trust me."
He ended his ode in a poetic fashion. "There is a lot of change happening. But I believe there are enough good people on this earth to change it for the better, and I believe we will be stronger and more compassionate people when we do," Patrick said. "I pledge to you my son, to teach you all the good I know. I look forward to the sunshine you will bring to everyone around you."
It's incredible to know that these kids will always be able to reflect on their father's youth through The Sandlot. Perhaps if the other members of the cast have kids, there could be a "next generation" movie. But it's not necessary — the film is still an incredible ode to childhood just as it is.
