CLEVELAND — If you're a baseball fan born and raised in Cleveland, there is one rule: You grow up hating the Yankees.
At least that's what Senator Sherrod Brown says in the new documentary "War on the Diamond." But based on the heated exchanges these two teams have had over the past few decades, not many would disagree with that sentiment.
"Something I was taught as a kid was to hate the Yankees!" said director Andy Billman.
But before all of those great battles in the 1990's, or the "Bug Game" in the 2000's, to this year's heated ALDS, there was one pitch that ignited it all.
It was a fateful pitch in a game between the Indians and Yankees back in 1920. A pitch thrown the from the hand of Yankees pitcher Carl Mays that connected with the head of Indians star Ray Chapman, killing the player.
The Indians went on to win the World Series after the tragedy, but that incident is the root of a bitter rivalry between the two franchises and the two cities.
"With 1920, it's kind of a forgotten year," said Billman. "Ironically, it's the year they won the World Series."
The film is brought to you by director and Clevelander, Andy Billman. Billman is a longtime filmmaker who worked for ESPN for over two decades, producing 30 for 30's, like "The Bad Boys," "The Book of Manning," and directing the Cleveland based 30 for 30, "Believeland."
Throughout this film, Billman dives into the rich rivalry, uncovering many key match ups and moments over the past century.
WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW BELOW:
Highlighted, is Larry Doby, the distain that Bob Feller had for the Yankees, then into the epic battles in the 1990's with the voices like Sandy Alomar Jr. who lived them throughout the film.
"Telling these tales throughout the years. There is a lot of connection between the Yankees, Indians and now Guardians," said Billman.
"War on the Diamond" has already seen early success, winning best documentary at the Boston Film Festival earlier this year.
You can stream the new film starting today on Amazon and Apple TV.
Editor's Note: The following video is from a previous, unrelated report.
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