Full Breakdown
Patrick Renna Revives *The Sandlot* Nostalgia via Hershey’s Collaboration and a New Cast Reunion Show
6/2/2026, 4:18:25 AM
The Sandlot’s Enduring Appeal
Released in 1993, *The Sandlot* remains a cultural reference point for its portrayal of childhood friendship and baseball. Its most quoted line—delivered by Patrick Renna’s character Hamilton “Ham” Porter—originated from a script that read “You kill me, Smalls” before evolving, through controlled improvisation, into the now-familiar “You’re killin’ me, Smalls.” Renna notes that the line’s longevity stems from its spontaneous delivery and the film’s nostalgic setting, which continues to resonate across generations.
Current Projects: Hershey’s S’mores Campaign and “Little League Dads”
Renna fronts Hershey’s summer initiative “Hershey’s Heated Debate,” a campaign that pits “team gooey” against “team toasty” in a nationwide s’mores conversation. The television spots feature Renna and his nine-year-old son Flynn, echoing the original film’s campfire scene. Renna describes Hershey’s as his “favorite go-to snack” and emphasizes his lifelong preference for chocolate.
Simultaneously, Renna’s production company Hambino Media is producing *Little League Dads*, a five-minute episodic series slated for release on his YouTube channel. Written by former *Friends* writer Sebastian Jones and veteran Dan Kopelman, and directed by Victor Nelli, the show reunites the entire original Sandlot cast as fictional fathers. Although the series avoids using Sandlot intellectual property, it preserves the ensemble dynamic that defined the 1993 film. Renna, now 47, will appear alongside his castmates, his producing partner Kyle Howard, and his son Flynn, who also appears in the Hershey’s spots.
Criticism & Opposition: Sequels and Disney+ Cancellation
Renna has not viewed *The Sandlot* sequels *The Sandlot 2* or *Heading Home*, stating that he “can’t speak to it because I never saw them.” He repeatedly emphasizes a personal preference for the original film, concluding, “I’ll always take the original over sequels.” Regarding the Disney+ series rumored in 2016, Renna confirms he never met Disney representatives and learned of the project only through rumors. The series was subsequently cancelled without an official explanation, suggesting limited institutional support for extending the franchise.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact wording of Renna’s iconic line: one account cites the original script as “You kill me, Smalls,” while the final cut uses “You’re killin’ me, Smalls.” The status of the Disney+ series remains ambiguous; Renna’s statements confirm no direct negotiations with Disney, yet rumors of a revival persist without confirmation. Additionally, Renna’s lack of exposure to the sequels leaves their relationship to the original film undocumented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I never met with anyone from Disney - I sort of just heard rumors.” — Patrick Renna, Actor
- “We’ve done some original work and like I said, we’re producing this show Little League Dads at the end of June so that’s one of them.” — Patrick Renna, Actor
- “Hershey’s is my favorite go-to snack.” — Patrick Renna, Actor
- “Renna says he is fully team toasty, but admits there's no wrong way to enjoy the classic treat.” — Patrick Renna, Actor
- “It was, ‘You kill me, Smalls,’” — Patrick Renna, Actor
What’s Next
Filming for *Little League Dads* begins at the end of June, with episodes to appear on Renna’s YouTube channel. Hershey’s “Heated Debate” will run throughout the summer, promoting the s’mores conversation. While the Disney+ series remains cancelled, Renna’s ongoing collaborations indicate continued engagement with the *Sandlot* legacy and the possibility of future related projects.
