Must-Watch Baseball Documentaries To Celebrate America's Pastime
For many, spring means warmer temperatures, blossoming gardens, a touch of wanderlust, and baby animals. It also means baseball season is here! The history of baseball is fascinating, in part to the remarkable individuals who have loved and played the game. In this collection of documentaries you can meet some of the baseball players who helped make the sport an integral part of America's character. You'll also see how baseball's history has been deeply connected the country's own challenges and growth over the last century.
Jackie Robinson
It was on April 15, 1947 that the great Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson was the first African American player to compete in Major League Baseball. Thus, every April 15th belongs to him, and baseball fans continue to honor his legacy decades after he broke the color barrier in baseball.
In the two-part film from Ken Burns, we get a complete portrait of Jackie Robinson's life. His achievements in baseball were but a portion of his legacy. There is no better way to honor #42 than by learning more about him and his impact on American society.
Add to your WatchlistSports Documentaries: Explore Dozens of Films on Legends, Legacy & Game Changers
A Team of Their Own
The documentary, A Team of Their Own, accurately and wonderfully recounts the history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from its inception in early 1943 through the present.
While we're on the subject of women in baseball, we also recommend watching the following short documentaries: "How History Ignored Women in Baseball" from In the Margins and "Salty Sands Ferguson" from WVIA Short Takes.
Add to Your PlaylistA Century of Change: Negro League Centennial Celebration
The Negro Leagues were established in Kansas City in 1920. It was the home of the Kansas City Monarchs, where Jackie Robinson played shortstop for one season. Kansas City, Missouri's local station KCPT produced this documentary to look back on the century of baseball since then.
Add to Your WatchlistThe Mohawk Giants: Schenectady & The Negro Leagues
WMHT in Troy, New York told the story of their star team: the Mohawk Giants. Baseball games in the Schenectady region were a show to behold, with athleticism and pizzazz. This documentary reminds us how baseball is woven into so many of our communities and local histories.
Add to Your WatchlistSupport your local PBS station in our mission to inspire, enrich, and educate.
A Baseball Legacy: Fans Remember the St. Louis Browns
Do you remember the St. Louis Browns? Generations of St. Louis, Missouri residents sure do. The Browns played baseball there for 51 years before moving to Baltimore (oh, hey O's!) This documentary from the Nine Network is a love letter to the true fans of a forgotten team.
Add to Your WatchlistThe Astros Edge
FRONTLINE examines the Houston Astros cheating scandal and what it says about baseball today. With reporter Ben Reiter, the documentary traces the making of one of the best teams and worst scandals in modern Major League Baseball history, the limited accountability and how the Astros’ approach to baseball changed the sport.
Add to Your WatchlistEditor's note: This collection of documentaries was first published on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) 2020. Later, it was updated and shared on March 14, 2022, after a 99-day lockout, as fans marked their calendars with the 2022 season's Opening Day: April 7. Most recently, it was updated on January 20, 2026 to remove expired films from the list.
The best of PBS, straight to your inbox.
Be the first to know about what to watch, exclusive previews, and updates from PBS.
Explore More
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next