I love the movie “The Sandlot” and my wife will attest to my, sometimes annoying, ability to quote it. It tells the story of Scott Smalls who moves into a new neighborhood and while initially having difficulty making friends, eventually finds friendship through playing baseball together with other boys at the sandlot. Though all of the boys initially laugh at him and make fun of his clothes and lack of athletic ability, Scott or “Smalls” as he comes to be known, finds a true friend in Benny, the best player among all involved at the sandlot. He invites Smalls to play and while Smalls initially says no out of embarrassment, Benny cuts through the excuses and invites him to play. He stands up to the other boys and even teaches Smalls how to throw and catch a baseball. Then Benny proceeds to save Smalls from the “biggest pickle any of us had every been in,” namely, getting the signed Babe Ruth ball back from the Beast.
I guess what struck me in the most recent watching of this film was how resigned Smalls was to his self imposed loner status. He tells his mom at one point, “face it mom, I’m just an egg head.” There is a sense of defeatism that Smalls feels. He is smart, he is creative, (his erector set models are incredible) but because of his lack of friends and awkwardness and embarrassment in playing baseball, he resigns himself to being a loner. Now, I am not saying that being on your own is wrong but I think everyone needs a friend, someone to push them when they need pushing, stop them when the need stopping, and encouraging when they need encouraging. Benny was that friend to Smalls. Smalls showed up and showed he wanted to fit in and have friends but when the taunting and embarrassment became too much, he was ready to give up. But not Benny. He took time to help Smalls. He tells Smalls, “you think too much. Baseball is about having fun.” What a difference this makes for Smalls. He goes from zero friend prospects to a full baseball team because of Benny being willing to reach out to help Smalls fit in.
What about us? When have you been the “Benny” to a “Smalls”? Or who has been your “Benny” when you felt like giving up, leaving early, or not showing up for an activity, event, meeting, game, or service project? I’ve shared before a favorite quote from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “No man is a failure who has friends.” Benny made sure that Smalls wasn’t a failure. Who can be that for or who is helping you feel that way now?
If you cannot thing of anyone, please remember this teaching from Elder Buckner of the seventy in October 2024:
“In December of 1832, as “appearances of troubles among the nations” were becoming “more visible” than at any time since the organization of the Church, Latter-day Saint leaders in Kirtland, Ohio, gathered for a conference. They prayed “separately and vocally to the Lord to reveal his will unto [them].” In acknowledgement of the prayers of these faithful members during times of intense trouble, the Lord comforted them, addressing the Saints three times with two powerful words: ‘my friends.’”
The Savior is our greatest friend. He comforts when we need comforts but He also encourages and pushes us beyond what we think we can do. He is your best friend, so you are not a failure.
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