Grantland Dictionary: Pro Wrestling Edition

Indy’s Iron Man

30 for 30 Shorts: ‘Kid Danny’

Our latest film, from documentarian Andrew Cohn, tells the story of how an adult-driven hoax changed Little League World Series star Danny Almonte’s life forever

Welcome back to our 30 for 30 documentary short series.

In the summer of 2001, the kids from the Bronx were the feel-good story of the Little League World Series. Most of the attention went to their quiet, record-setting ace, Danny Almonte, who had recently moved to New York from the Dominican Republic. They didn’t win the title, but they were the toast of New York, meeting their neighbors the New York Yankees and receiving keys to the city from then-mayor Rudy Giuliani. The problem was, Almonte’s story didn’t hold up. A Sports Illustrated investigation revealed that he was a full two years too old to participate in Little League. The story instantly caught international attention, as Almonte was accused of cheating in the most sacred of all amateur sports. Twelve years later, the reclusive Almonte finally tells the truth about one of the strangest chapters in youth sports history. 

Recent 30 for 30 Shorts

The High Five, directed by Michael Jacobs »
Mecca: The Floor That Made Milwaukee Famous, directed by Chris James Thompson »
Posterized, directed by Andrew Jenks »

From Harlem With Love, directed by Matt Ogens »

Untucked, directed by Danny Pudi »

Filed Under: 30 for 30 Shorts, 30 For 30, Little League World Series, Danny Almonte