Sports provide a captivating spectacle and are even better suited for documentaries, particularly when they involve two legendary franchises in America’s most historic sport. When executive producer Sara Bernstein and director R.J. Cutler had the chance to give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at last year’s championship clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees, they eagerly accepted.
Apple TV’s Fight For Glory: 2024 World Series, set to debut on March 28, is a three-part docuseries that explores the exhilarating Fall Classic, which the Dodgers clinched in five games. This documentary was a collaboration between MLB Studios, Apple, and Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries, the same team behind last year’s The Dynasty: New England Patriots. The series encapsulates the emergence of a potential new dynasty: the Dodgers.
“Who wouldn’t want to tackle the World Series?” Bernstein remarked in an interview with Awful Announcing last week. “At Imagine, we have an incredible relationship with Major League Baseball and signed a first-look deal with them in 2023. As we contemplated what could be one of the most iconic projects to develop together, the idea of focusing on the World Series emerged.”
Bernstein and Cutler were fortunate that the World Series featured the Dodgers and Yankees, two of the highest-spending and most popular teams, boasting superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, and Freddie Freeman. This matchup was further enriched by its historical significance, recalling their previous 11 meetings, including the unforgettable 1981 World Series.
MLB historically produced films featuring World Series highlights for soldiers during World War II, starting in 1943. The idea to create films for global distribution at military installations was introduced to Commissioner Kenesaw Landis by Lew Fonseca. Cutler, a passionate baseball fan, was excited about crafting a film with deep traditional roots.
“As Sarah noted during our initial discussions, this was an opportunity to create a real film—cinematic, character-driven, emotionally compelling, and dramatic,” he shared. “We cherish these chances, particularly when baseball serves as the backdrop. It allows us to narrate profound, metaphorical stories about life, which you’ll witness in the series.”
Documentaries face the challenge of earning the trust of participants, which can be tricky, even for seasoned filmmakers. Bringing in Hall of Famer Derek Jeter as an executive producer early on helped, as did the cooperation of Freeman and his family. Freeman’s storybook year included overcoming injury to win the World Series MVP, capped by a breathtaking game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1.
“The Freemans’ involvement opened doors for additional opportunities,” Cutler said. “They were incredibly generous with their time, allowing us to film during critical moments. Freddie, Chelsea, their kids, and even Freddie’s father and extended family participated. Their engagement encouraged others, like Brianna Betts and Mookie’s mom, to join, creating a rippling effect of involvement and diverse perspectives.”
Fight For Glory: 2024 World Series will be available for streaming on March 28.
