I was invited to Los Angeles on an expense-paid trip in exchange for coverage of the events that we attended. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What an incredible night! The Million Dollar Arm premiere and the extensive red carpet festivities at El Capitan Theater blew me away.
Photo credit: ©Disney
In attendance (among many others) were the stars of Million Dollar arm: Jon Hamm, Lake Bell, Alan Arkin, Bill Paxton, Aasif Mandvi, Suraj Sharma, Madhur Mittal, and Pitobash as well as the real people that the movie is based on: JB Bernstein and his wife Brenda (after seeing the movie, she will always be Miss Brenda!), Dinesh Patel, Rinku Singh, Ash Vasudevan, Tom House, Will Chang and more.
Tom House, Fred Lynn, Adam Dedeaux, Mark Kotsay, David Wells, JB Bernstein, Mark Ciardi, Dinesh Patel, Rinku Singh, Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers, Eric Davis, Ken Landreaux, Clyde Wright, Kenny Lofton, Jaret Wright, Brandon Otto, Steve Sirko, James Brunswick, Elias Imbert, Josh Dahl, Zackery Neal Watson, Collin Franklin, Blaine Steven Jones, Harrison Russell Pyatt gather at the US Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ MILLION DOLLAR ARM at El Capitan Theatre
(Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
The real people bind Million Dollar Arm: Rinku, Dinesh, and JB Bernstein (Photo credit: ©Disney)
Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal (Photo credit: ©Disney)
The beautiful Lake Bell (Photo credit: ©Disney)
Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest
The premiere kicked off with a pitching contest where 9 finalists from across the country competed for the chance to win a million dollars and a contract with sports agent J.B. Bernstein. All Finalists received a $500 gift package from Rawlings, a gift package from Under Armour and tickets to the ESPY Awards.
Photo credit: ©Disney
Although none of the athletes made the qualifying 100 MPH pitch to win the $1,000,000, the last pitcher, Joshua Dahl from Glendale, Arizona, pitched 94 MPH (the fastest of the finalists) and was offered a contract by JB Bernstein. It was all particularly exciting because I was standing with Josh’s family. I think they were all more nervous than he was!
Million Dollar Arm star Jon Hamm even threw a pitch!
After the pitching contest, we strolled leisurely down the GREEN red carpet, where there was an exciting tail-gate-style pre-party going on. Hot dogs, soda, pistachios, and donuts. A few of us also tried our arms at the mini no-prize pitching booth. Let’s just say…I wouldn’t have qualified during JB’s India recruitment rounds…
Photo by Shelby OCMomBlog.com
Just announced! See Million Dollar Arm early!
SEE MILLION DOLLAR ARM EARLY! Disney just announced that it has added sneak previews of Million Dollar Arm THIS Saturday, May 10 (a week ahead of the country-wide May 16 release). Be sure to check your theaters to see if there’s a sneak preview in your area.
Many thanks to the premiere sponsors: SUBWAY® Restaurants sponsored the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest and the world premiere. Delta Air Lines provided airline tickets for the nine finalists and their guests for the final contest and to attend the film’s world premiere. Other participants adding to the “pre-game” festivities include: Krispy Kreme, Pinks Hot Dogs, Dole Squish’Ems, Coca-Cola, KIND bars and Wonderful Pistachios. They kept us well-fed!
Connect with MILLION DOLLAR ARM (In theaters 5/16/14)
Facebook: Facebook.com/milliondollararm
Twitter: @DisneyPictures (#MillionDollarArm and #MillionDollarArmEvent)
Tumblr: milliondollararm.tumblr.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/MillionDollarArm
Website: Disney.com/MillionDollarArm
© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
I’m so glad we were finally able to meet and get to know each other – and I agree…there’s nowhere better than a Disney premiere! Love you!
Lolli, my sister from another mister. It was so amazingly great to spoon with you and make Brett jealous ;). Plus, what better way to do it than at a Disney Hollywood premiere! Loved your dress too, you looked fabulous :)
It was so great spending time with you on the trip. So many amazing memories!!
I had such a great time meeting you! What an awesome experience for all of us. :)
You looked great! I love the dress — it was such a fun trip with you :)