30 for 30 Shorts Season 2 Episode 8 Kid Danny

Kid Danny is the eighth episode of the second season of the 30 for 30 Shorts, a series of short documentaries produced by ESPN Films. This episode is directed by Andrew Stephan and tells the story of Danny Almonte, a little league baseball player whose age and identity were questioned in 2001.

Danny Almonte was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States with his family when he was 11 years old. He quickly became involved in baseball and joined the Rolando Paulino Little League team in the Bronx, New York. In 2001, Danny's team made it to the Little League World Series, and he became a national celebrity overnight.

However, Danny's success was short-lived. Shortly after the Little League World Series, a reporter for Sports Illustrated received an anonymous tip that Danny was actually 14 years old, two years older than the Little League age limit. This sparked a media frenzy, and soon Danny's age and identity were called into question.

The episode explores Danny's journey to the Little League World Series, as well as the aftermath of the scandal. Through interviews with Danny, his family, and his former coach, we learn about the challenges Danny faced as an immigrant in the United States and the pressure he felt to succeed in baseball.

The documentary also delves into the controversy surrounding Danny's age. Some accused Danny and his family of lying about his age to gain a competitive advantage, while others argued that the blame lay with the organizers of the Little League World Series for not properly verifying the ages of all players.

Kid Danny is an emotional and thought-provoking episode that raises important questions about youth sports and the pressure young athletes face to succeed. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing too much emphasis on winning, and the toll it can take on a young person's life.