BREAKING NEWS: Netflix Releases “The Underdog,” a Highly Anticipated Documentary About Houston Astros Legend Jeff Bagwell, Slated for Release on June 14, 2025 which…
In a move that has electrified both sports fans and film enthusiasts, Netflix has officially announced the upcoming release of The Underdog, a groundbreaking documentary chronicling the life and career of Houston Astros legend Jeff Bagwell. The film is scheduled to premiere globally on June 14, 2025, exclusively on the streaming platform.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ava Martinez, The Underdog delves deep into the storied journey of Bagwell, a former National League MVP and longtime face of the Astros franchise. From being an overlooked minor league prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization to becoming one of the most dominant first basemen in MLB history, Bagwell’s rise is portrayed as both gritty and inspirational.
“This is more than just a baseball story,” said Martinez at a Netflix press event Tuesday morning. “Jeff’s journey speaks to resilience, loyalty, and the ability to defy expectations. The Underdog captures not just the stats and highlights, but the heart behind one of baseball’s most underappreciated icons.”
The documentary features never-before-seen footage, personal interviews with Bagwell, his family, former teammates like Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman, and commentary from Hall of Famers and modern players alike. It also revisits key moments of the Astros’ turbulent 1990s and early 2000s seasons, providing context to Bagwell’s enduring legacy in the city of Houston.
“I never thought my story would be told this way,” Bagwell said in a recorded message shared by Netflix. “I wasn’t the flashiest guy, and I didn’t play in the biggest market. But I gave the game everything I had. I’m humbled and honored.”
Sports media figures and historians weigh in throughout the documentary, offering insight into Bagwell’s unique hitting style, his loyalty to a single franchise, and his eventual induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017. The film also touches on the challenges he faced off the field, including injuries, media scrutiny, and life after retirement.
Early critics and insiders who previewed the film at a private screening in Los Angeles last week described it as “powerful,” “emotional,” and “one of the best sports documentaries of the decade.” Several fans took to social media to express their excitement, calling it a long-overdue tribute to a player they feel never received the national spotlight he deserved.
Netflix has confirmed that The Underdog will also include a companion behind-the-scenes special and a limited podcast series launching later this summer.
With anticipation building, The Underdog is poised not only to reignite conversations about Jeff Bagwell’s place in baseball history, but also to become one of the standout sports documentaries of the year.
