Watch Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story

Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story is a documentary film directed by Jon Strong and narrated by Tony Award-winner André De Shields. The movie revolves around an exhibition game played in the small town of McCaysville, Georgia, in 1955, between a team of white major league baseball players and a team of African American minor league players.

The film features interviews with some of the greatest baseball players of all time, including home-run king Hank Aaron, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., and former U.S. ambassador and civil rights leader Andrew Young. These interviews are interwoven with archival footage and never-before-seen photographs to tell the story of a historic baseball game that brought together a racially divided community.

The movie begins by providing historical context, describing life in the segregated South in 1955. It then introduces the two teams that would face off in the exhibition game: the Milwaukee Braves, the reigning National League champions, and the Cleveland Indians, led by Hall of Famer Bob Feller. The Cleveland Indians agreed to play the Braves on the condition that they field an all-white team.

Meanwhile, a group of black minor league players from the Negro Leagues had been assembled to play a game of their own, hoping to capitalize on the large crowds that would surely gather for the Braves-Indians game. These players had never played together before, but they quickly bonded and developed a sense of camaraderie that would be crucial to their success.

The documentary then introduces the town of McCaysville, which was sharply divided along racial lines. Most of the white residents were hostile to the idea of an integrated baseball game, and the local authorities went to great lengths to prevent it from happening. Nonetheless, the black players and their supporters were determined to play, even if it meant breaking the law.

The movie builds suspense as the two teams prepare for their respective games. We see the white players go through their usual routines, while the black players travel across the South, facing discrimination and violence at every turn. Eventually, the two sides converge on McCaysville, and tensions run high as the locals confront the outsiders.

The game itself is a triumph of athleticism and courage. The black players, called the Clowns, dazzle the crowd with their fast-paced, entertaining style of play. The white players, meanwhile, struggle to keep up, marred by errors and uninspired play. The Clowns eventually win the game, but the real victory is the sense of hope and unity that it inspires in the community.

The movie concludes by showing how the events of 1955 had a lasting impact on baseball and American society. Hank Aaron, who was just 21 at the time of the game, went on to become one of the greatest sluggers in history and a lifelong advocate for civil rights. Andrew Young became an important figure in the civil rights movement, serving as a close confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. Cal Ripken Jr. became a legend in his own right, breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played and earning a place in Cooperstown.

Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story is an important and inspiring film that tells the story of a pivotal moment in American history. It shows how, even in the darkest of times, sports can bring people together and inspire them to dream of a better future. The film is a must-see for any baseball fan or anyone interested in the struggle for civil rights in America.

Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.