Amazon’s A League of Their Own series adaption has cast Nick Offerman to fill in a role similar to the one Tom Hanks played in the original movie. A League of Their Own was first released as a comedic feature in 1992. It starred Hanks along with Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell. These women played the members of the first-ever female professional baseball team called the Peaches. While the film was released in the ’90s, it took place during the World War II-era when men were drafted and women had to step into the roles typically filled by men, including being baseball players. A League of Their own is based on a true story and piece of history.
While the film had a mostly female cast, Hanks played an important role. Hanks plays Jimmy Dugan, a former baseball player turned manager. He is tasked with managing the Peaches, but his alcoholism and disregard for the position causes him to be a crummy manager for the team. After the women realize that Jimmy isn’t going to take his role seriously, Dottie, played by Davis, steps up to the plate and guides the team to victory.
Variety confirmed that for the League of Their Own reboot, Offerman will fill in a role similar to the one Hanks played in the original A League of Their Own. Offerman will play Casey “Dove” Porter, who has been brought on to coach the Peaches. Dove was formerly a pitcher for the Cubs. He was destined to make it to the major leagues but threw out his arm and had to stop playing. Since he wasn’t able to make it, he has big aspirations for the Peaches and wants them to enjoy the sweet taste of victory he was never able to have.
Offerman’s character is described as inspiring and charismatic, which is a bit of a swerve from his usual type. Offerman is best known for playing Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation. Ron was protagonist Leslie’s grizzly boss and wasn’t a fan of work, but instead directed his passion to hunting, woodworking, and other stereotypically manly activities. However, Offerman’s type would certainly fit the description of the character Hanks played in the original A League of Their Own. It’ll be intriguing to see where Jimmy Dugan and Casey “Dove” Porter merge, and Offerman may the right actor who can marry the two together.
Since the adaption is reimagining the old film’s structure and creating completely new characters for the women on the team, it makes sense that Hanks’s former role is being recreated as well. Abbi Jacobson heads the project as executive producer and will also star in the lead role Carson Shaw, a small-town girl with big dreams. Additionally, D’arcy Carden plays worldly first basewoman, Greta, and Chanté Adams plays all-star pitcher, Max. Based on the characters alone, it’s clear that the League of Their Own TV series will be a whole other ballgame compared to the original.
