The Saint of Second Chances

As "The Saint of Second Chances" (2023 release; 94 min) opens, Mike reminisces about his dad Bill who in 1975 bought the White Sox. Mike eventually became the Head of Promotions, and the wackier the better, I mean there were no limits. Then comes the (in)famous Disco Demolition promo in the summer of 1979...

Couple of comments: this is co-directed by Jeff Malmburg and Morgen Neville ("Won't You Be My Neighbor?"). Here they look back at a time when a well-intending Bill Veeck buys the the White Sox and just wants people to have fun. Bill's relationship with his son Mike is a bit complicated, leading to ups and downs. I will leave the movie makers' allegation that DD was racist and homophobic for historians to figure out (to me it sounds like judging a 1979 event by 2023 standards). DD was hard on Mike Veeck, and it leads him to reassess his life (and finding second chances). Bottom line: this is an okay documentary but just ok, to be honest.

"The Saint of Second Chances" started streaming on Netflix recently. I was flabbergasted when I saw that this documentary is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, like this is the best documentary, ever? Sorry, not buying it. Of course don't take my word for it, so I'd suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I started out watching this as I love sports documentaries. Great stories on baseball and how the entertainment in baseball came to be. Guy rises, guy messes up, guy falls....guy gets second chance. Seems normal right? Regular documentary story line...Now comes the best part of the story, the dad aspect enters. He introduces his second wife, his kids and how they tie into the storyline. No spoilers here, but there is a wicked twist and it totally makes this documentary one the best I've ever seen, and I watch a LOT of documentaries. I've already told everyone I know to watch it, you should too. You won't be disappointed.

Baseball is a huge business like other huge businesses. Most teams have to win to put fans in the seats making the owners and the entire apparatus flush with money. Bill Veeck felt like the game should be fun regardless of pennants, etc. Taking ownership of the Chicago White Sox he believed he could add that fun He was on to something and the fans responded. Of course he would want his son to be a part of it. Mike Veeck became head of promotions and together he, and Bill, were building a solid following that was not wholly dependent of wins vs. Loses. An unfortunate promotion well known to history went wrong and the Veecks were, more or less, cancelled before it became a movement. Bill, having already achieved legendary status in his profession was gracious in bowing out. Mike, however, was young and had much to do in spite of the major blow they both lived through. This is a story that deserves to be told. High profile people just don't get second chances in a world so quick to blame. Even though Mike lived through several years of bone-crushing lows, often supplemented by his own behavior, A second chance comes from an unexpected place with a bottom rung potential. For a guy like Mike this was his second chance that he wasn't about to mess up. That, along with meeting his soul mate, elevated Mike to once more be able to do what he was made for. But, that would in itself only make half of this story.

This story is how Mike learned to give other marginalized people, players, fans, and the game of baseball a new platform for redemption. Oh, and, importantly, joy. Life interlaces joy with sorrow, Mike and family would face their own duality of it. How this plays out makes this documentary/film rise up. The filmmaker has used the device of old films, current interviews, and recreated sequences quite effectively to respectfully take us on the journey. In the end making a film that is emotionally rich and positive. There's a message in here that we can all benefit from. Oh, don't forget to have fun along the way.

I was born in 1959 and have always maintained that baseball is by far and away, the greatest sport in the world. It has been that way since 1869. There are many reasons that need no elaboration here. This is about the movie.

This is yet another great story of family and how baseball plays its part, up front and center, within, and beyond to the next generations. Technically speaking, the game stands on it own, without additives. But the point here is that baseball is FUN. It always was, being at the ballpark, whether at the beautiful professional cathedrals or the broken down minor league parks. The Veeck's had a lot to do with that, and I will forever be grateful. This movie again reminds me of that.

It's been said -- you don't need to love the sport to enjoy being at the game. Same goes for the movie. It's a wonderful story, with all it's ups and downs, from Bill to Mike, his daughter Rebecca, Dave Stevens, Darryl Strawberry, an on. It's another great story, centered around baseball.....of course.

THIS PART ALMOST RUINED IT FOR ME but see the last sentence of this paragraph: Towards the end of the movie, I couldn't believe that Mike had to comment on the ridiculous implication about racism or orientations being behind the 'disco sucks' promotion. I was a teenager and for us rockers, disco DID suck, and it never crossed our minds that was about anything else. I wish the producers would have INSISTED to leave it out, but they were probably given an ultimatum. Leave it to the politicos to try to ruin this. I'm sure the media will take their best shot too. Thank God the story is bigger than both of them.

The media will try their hardest to destroy it, but more on that later.

I grew up just west of Chicago, and as my father's daughter, a fan of the Sox. I was 11 when Veeck came on the scene and it was, quite literally, the greatest thing since sliced bread. The exploding score board was my favorite, and despite my dad's insistence, I absolutely loved the butterfly collars and shorts. By the time Disco Demo came into existence, it was clear that our team was not good, and as the winds of change seemed to imply, a big change was on the horizon. I wasn't at that game, but I can say with absolute certainty that the only motivation people of my age had for despising disco was, it royally blew. It was something the weird 'old people' seemed to love, and we loathed. Disco had worn out its welcome and had absolutely NOTHING to do with orientations or melanin in one's skin. It seems the people screeching the loudest that there were definite undertones to DD, weren't even a twinkle in their father's eye to that point, and really need to calm down with the hyperbolic rhetoric. The White Sox were (and still are) located in Bridgeport- a predominantly black area, and drew a large crowd of fans of all shades. This injection of nonsense where none needs be needs to stop.

Back to my point at the beginning of my review, I think Mike is seeing what the rest of us have come to know far too well, even though there was no ill intent with DD, the media seized on the misjudgment and proclaimed everything wrong with the Sox to be at its core, the fault of Bill Veeck. But not because of lighting albums on fire, because he upset the natural order of the elites world. And by proxy, those who fluff those elites and write wonderful, glowing words that sing their praises. This simply wouldn't do; he had to go and this was their chance to finally gather the long knives and rid the game of him and his ridiculous antics once and for all. It's heartbreaking to see how much Mike blames himself but I hope he knows the truth behind this story, finally.

The story of his redemption was only due to his own personal hell, but one we can relate to. His redemption arc is noteworthy, and his wife, children and cast of characters that round out the menagerie of talent make this a compelling tale. It's an all-too-familiar tale of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, making not just lemonade from lemons, but a champagne cocktail. Learning from mistakes, becoming a better person for it, and passing those lessons on to our children. I've met Mr Strawberry on several occasions and he's one of the most genuine, kind and funny men I've had the privilege of meeting. He and Doc Gooden were attending a charity event together, and as they reminisced, I was the fly on the wall, soaking in every moment. I'm so pleased to see he's found his own redemption story and hope that one day, his will be told, as well.

Thank you, Mike, from Iowa. For the memories made with my own father because of you and yours. I hope your history is your greatest asset and your future is bright. Please disregard the nonsense of the press/media regarding 'that day'. Those of us cognizant enough to recall know what the intentions were, and despite the claims of the tiny screeching heretics, it was definitely time for disco to go.