BREAKING NEWS: Netflix Releases “The Underdog,” a Highly Anticipated Documentary About Houston Astros Iconic Legend César Cedeño — A Deep Dive Into the Life, Legacy, and Grit of MLB’s Greatest Player, Slated for Global Release on July 18, 2025
In a move set to captivate baseball fans and documentary lovers around the globe, Netflix has announced the upcoming release of “The Underdog,” a powerful and emotional deep dive into the life and career of Houston Astros legend César Cedeño. Slated for a global premiere on July 18, 2025, the documentary is already generating buzz as one of the streaming giant’s most compelling sports stories of the year.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ava Mitchell and executive produced by Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer, “The Underdog” tells the often-overlooked but undeniably legendary story of Cedeño — the Dominican-born center fielder whose electric talent, fearless style of play, and turbulent life off the field made him one of Major League Baseball’s most complex and awe-inspiring figures.
A Forgotten Great Reclaimed
While names like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente echo loudly through baseball’s storied history, César Cedeño has often remained in the shadows — an underdog in the literal sense. But to those who witnessed his brilliance in the 1970s and early 1980s, Cedeño was a generational talent whose combination of speed, power, and glove work changed the game.
“He was the five-tool player before the term became common,” says Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson in the film. “Cedeño was a blur on the bases, a wall in center field, and a threat every time he stepped into the batter’s box.”
Nicknamed “the Dominican Mays” early in his career, Cedeño’s numbers speak for themselves: a .285 career batting average, over 200 home runs, nearly 1,000 RBIs, and 550 stolen bases. He was a four-time All-Star, a five-time Gold Glove winner, and widely regarded as one of the best all-around players in the league during his prime. Yet, his legacy was often overshadowed by off-the-field controversy and the challenges of navigating fame in a racially and culturally tense era.
The Heart of Houston
For Houston Astros fans, César Cedeño remains a cherished icon — a beacon of excellence during a period when the franchise was striving for relevance. Signed as a 17-year-old from Santo Domingo, Cedeño quickly rose through the minor leagues and debuted in the majors in 1970. By 1972, he was a full-blown superstar, drawing comparisons to Willie Mays and injecting a much-needed spark into the Houston lineup.
The documentary revisits his early years with the Astros, including interviews with teammates, coaches, and sportswriters who marveled at his athleticism and natural instincts. Archival footage captures jaw-dropping highlights — diving catches, daring steals of home plate, and monster home runs at the Astrodome — all underscored by an energetic, era-appropriate soundtrack.
“Houston didn’t just fall in love with Cedeño — we believed in him,” recalls former Astros broadcaster Bill Worrell. “He gave us a reason to come to the ballpark every night.”
Trials, Tragedy, and Redemption
Yet “The Underdog” does not shy away from the more difficult chapters of Cedeño’s life. In 1973, his career was jolted by a tragic incident in the Dominican Republic, when a gun discharged in a hotel room, killing a young woman. Though Cedeño was eventually cleared of malicious intent and received a light sentence, the incident followed him for the rest of his life, deeply affecting his public image and mental well-being.
The film sensitively explores this moment and the long-lasting impact it had on Cedeño. Through emotional interviews with his family, former teammates, and Cedeño himself in archival footage, viewers get a deeper understanding of the psychological toll of fame, guilt, and regret.
“This wasn’t about excusing anything — it was about showing the full man,” director Ava Mitchell explains. “César was brilliant, flawed, hurting, and still trying to give back. That complexity is what makes his story so human.”
Cedeño’s journey back to baseball and redemption through coaching roles in the Dominican Republic and minor league systems rounds out the documentary’s powerful second act. In his later years, he dedicated himself to mentoring young players from Latin America, hoping to ease their path into the MLB — a world he had to navigate with little guidance.
A Cultural Trailblazer
More than a sports story, “The Underdog” is also a cultural statement. It addresses the isolation and discrimination faced by Latin American players in the 1970s and how Cedeño — one of the earliest Dominican superstars in MLB — broke barriers without always getting the recognition he deserved.
“Before Pedro, before Big Papi, before Vladdy… there was César,” says Dominican baseball historian Julio Fernández in the film. “He showed us that a Dominican could be the best player on the field.”
The documentary dives into the pressures Cedeño faced as a trailblazer, often expected to represent an entire country and culture under the unforgiving spotlight of American sports media. The film is enriched by commentary from contemporary stars like Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Julio Rodríguez, who all cite Cedeño as a foundational figure in their own careers.
Netflix’s Grand Slam
“The Underdog” marks yet another major swing by Netflix into the realm of sports documentaries, following the success of The Last Dance, Quarterback, and Untold. Early screenings have reportedly left viewers in tears, with critics praising the film’s emotional depth, cinematography, and honest storytelling.
With a carefully crafted blend of dramatic reenactments, crisp highlight reels, and unfiltered interviews, the documentary is expected to ignite new appreciation for Cedeño’s place in baseball history. Netflix plans a red-carpet premiere in Houston on July 15, just days before its global streaming release.
Honoring a Legend
Though César Cedeño passed away in 2023 at the age of 72, his spirit permeates every frame of “The Underdog.” The film is both a tribute and a reckoning — a reminder of how greatness can come from hardship and how the most dazzling stars sometimes shine in shadows.
For Houston, for the Dominican Republic, and for baseball fans everywhere, “The Underdog” is not just a documentary. It’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of a man whose legacy was too big to be forgotten — and whose story still inspires.
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“The Und
erdog” premieres worldwide on Netflix, July 18, 2025.
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