For aficionados of America’s favorite pastime and the art aficionados captivated by sport’s visual storytelling, there is a cinematic treat ready to take center stage on your go-to streaming platforms. Introducing The Diamond King, a documentary that delves into the illustrious career of Dick Perez, the artist whose paintbrush has immortalized the legends of baseball.
Manhattan residents and globe-trotters alike will likely find a piece of Perez’s art gracing the walls of their local sports bars and sports museums. His oeuvre, famed for its evocative capturing of iconic baseball figures, is synonymous with the grandeur and nostalgia inherent in America’s national sport. Now, thanks to a partnership between The McCaw and Votiv productions, you can immerse yourself in the powerful blend of sports history and visual art via Apple TV, Prime Video, Google TV, and Kinema.
Narrated by actor John Ortiz, a well-known figure from shows like Will Trent and Bad Monkey, the documentary brings us face to face with Perez himself, with illuminating commentary from his family, fellow artists, and people who know the nuances of his inspiring journey. From the sun-drenched shores of Puerto Rico where he spent his childhood, to the bustling artistic corridors of Harlem where his appreciation for baseball met his artistic aspirations, The Diamond King paints a portrait of a man who is both artist and historian.
For those unfamiliar with the artistic juggernaut that is Dick Perez, his rise to prominence unfolded in the 1980s when he dreamt up the iconic Diamond Kings series with Donruss. These weren’t mere baseball cards; they were tiny masterpieces transforming mundane sports memorabilia into collectibles worthy of admiration, bridging a gap between ephemeral thrill and evergreen artistic appreciation. Baseball cards that typically found themselves crammed into shoeboxes under beds were suddenly elevated to expressions of revered artistry.
What propels Perez’s work above simple portraiture is its deft blend of realistic representation with an emotional striped layer that reaches beyond the athlete’s statistics and season averages. Each finished art piece is a chronicle of baseball’s glorious past, a tribute finely wrapped in the passion and zeal of a timeless sport. It’s of little wonder that his works find pride of place in distinguished collections—private and public, and are showcased at revered sporting exhibitions worldwide.
Esteemed baseball writer Steve Kopian of Unseen Films perhaps captures the essence of The Diamond King best, describing it as a film so skillfully crafted, it may well become a staple on the MLB channel for years to come. Given how it elegantly straddles the line between sports and art, this might be an understatement.
For everyone suckered into wondering what all the fuss about baseball and brush strokes combined is, there’s a way to quench that curiosity. The Diamond King trailer is a click away, available for taste before you decide to dive headlong into the full documentary. Visit The Diamond King Movie website and you’ll find avenues to not only stream or purchase the film but to delve into a treasure trove of exclusive content including prints, posters, and cards encapsulating Perez’s legacy.
This documentary is helmed under the creative direction of Marq Evans and adds another promising title to The McCaw’s distinguished slate. Their cinematic ventures have previously gifted audiences with Claydream (2022), a journey into the life of Claymation maestro Will Vinton—creator of those unforgettable dancing raisins and the charismatic M&Ms—and The Glamour & The Squalor (2016), spotlighting Seattle radio DJ Marco Collins, a key player in grunge music’s mainstream triumph.
Whether your heart beats to the tempo of baseball or your soul craves the marriage of athletics with artistry, The Diamond King offers a unique lens through which to view the exploits of those who have graced baseball’s hallowed fields, and reminds us of the powerful stories behind iconic faces and enduring legacies. As baseball continues its course as an evolving multinational obsession, the story of Dick Perez and his transformative art lives on, breathing life into every brushstroke and standing as a testament to the synergy between the heart of sport and the soul of art.