Netflix’s highly anticipated baseball documentary, The Underdog: The Jeff Bagwell Story, is officially set to premiere on June 14, 2025. Directed by Emmy winner Ava Martinez, this feature-length film chronicles the remarkable ascent of Jeff Bagwell—from under‐the‐radar minor leaguer to Houston Astros legend, National League MVP, and Hall of Famer
Bagwell’s path wasn’t paved in gold. Drafted by the Red Sox, he was later traded, leaving many to overlook his talent. But with hard work and grit, he became a cornerstone of the Astros in the ’90s and early 2000s. Martinez, the director, shared that more than stats, the film dives into resilience, loyalty, and beating the odds.
Expect deep-dive interviews with Bagwell himself, his family, and former teammates like Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman, along with commentary from Hall of Famers and modern analysts. The storytelling unfolds through rare archive footage and intimate storytelling
The narrative revisits tough seasons, injuries, and media scrutiny that shaped both Bagwell and a franchise still chasing a World Series. The doc doesn’t shy from the challenges that carve legends
With Martinez at the helm, known for her poignant storytelling, “The Underdog” is being positioned as a major entry in Netflix’s expanding sports documentary lineup.
- Release date: April 8, 2025
- Format: Eight-episode series, following the 2024 season
- Director: Greg Whiteley (Cheer, Last Chance U)Story arc: From spring training to playoff pushes, featuring players like Jarren Duran (whose mental health journey and suicide attempt are prominently covered), Triston Casas, and Wilyer Abreu (
This series provides an “unprecedented look” at the trials and celebrations of an MLB team over a full season
- A three-episode deep dive on the 2004 ALCS comeback—first time ever a team rallied from 3-0 down to win—ended their 86-year World Series drought.
- Premiered October 23, 2024
Other Projects
Netflix has teased documentaries on the Dodgers’ “Big 3″—Ohtani, Betts, Freeman—for April 15, 2025), and rumor‐worthy titles about the White Sox (August) and Cubs (May 15 debut confirmed) (s
- Global Impact: As a Netflix Original, it’s immediately available worldwide, giving Bagwell a global audience.
- Humanizing the Hero: Promised to be more heart than hype—focus on personal adversity as much as stats
- Critical Buzz: Advance buzz from private screenings has been stellar—“powerful,” “emotional,” even “one of the best sports documentaries of the decade” Iconic Player Focus
Bagwell isn’t just an All-Star—his story spans transitional eras of the Astros and MLB.
- Astros Reappraisal
The franchise has seen recent highs and controversies. Bagwell’s arc offers context to its modern identity. - Broad Appeal
From behind-the-scenes Red Sox drama to personalized hero narratives, Netflix continues to craft documentaries that speak to both die-hard fans and general audiences.
- June 14, 2025: Streaming premiere on Netflix
- This Summer: Launch of the companion podcast + “making-of” special
- Year Coverage: Expect in-depth footage from the Astros’ mid-to-late ’90s and early 2000s
Netflix has now entered MLB storytelling in a big way:
- The Comeback brought us legend rebirth via 2004.
- Clubhouse went behind-the-scenes on a full modern season—on-field and emotional highs/lows.
- Dodgers Dynasty tackled the biggest contemporary stars.
- Cursed to Champions turned the lens on a historic drought-breaking moment.
- The Underdog fits perfectly as a character-driven, emotionally textured documentary about a franchise cornerstone.
Netflix is balancing nostalgia, drama, and personal growth in a way that captures the broad arcs of baseball’s past, present, and future.
- Oral history & player interviews
- Archive & locker room footage
- Stories of grit and perseverance
- Nostalgic looks at ’90s–’00s MLB shifts
Bagwell’s journey strikes all those chords—from authority to underappreciation, injury to triumph, and single-market loyalty.
Mark your digital calendars: June 14, 2025 is the day Jeff Bagwell’s story takes center stage. With emotional depth, rare insights, and a storyteller’s eye, The Underdog aims to be more than a sports film—it’s a human story with universal themes of dreaming, pushing, and defying expectations.
