John Turturro to Direct Joe Torre Doc

John Turturro will direct Joe Torre (w.t.), a feature documentary about the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, produced by MLB Studios, BD4 and Motto Pictures.

“It’s hard to imagine that a nervous Brooklyn kid who had low self-esteem could go on a journey like mine across more than 60 years,” said Torre. “I once didn’t think I was going anywhere. But baseball gave me a place to hide—and ultimately the opportunity to find things in myself that I never knew were there. I am grateful that John Turturro, who witnessed the hometown dream I’ve been fortunate enough to live, is joining me to look back and tell the story in a personal way.”

Motto Pictures’ Christopher Clements and Julie Goldman produce, with executive producers including Nick Trotta from MLB Studios, Dan Silver, Ryan Harrington from BD4, and Ken Scherer, who developed the project with the Torre family.

Through new, raw and personal interviews with Torre and archival footage, the documentary offers an intimate look at Torre’s journey from his upbringing to becoming one of baseball’s most influential figures.

“Joe Torre’s lifelong journey to the World Series is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, through a changing landscape and turbulent times. There’s something deeply human about Joe Torre’s quiet strength,” said Turturro. “In a time when men in sports hid their emotions behind toughness, Joe defied convention. His strength comes from compassion, his victories from understanding people. His journey from a nervous child with an abusive father to an outstanding professional baseball player who was the MVP in 1971, and as a manager who was fired three times before taking the helm as the Yankees manager. After 4,272 games as a player and manager who never made the World Series, he took his first victory lap around Yankee Stadium in a thrilling World Series win against Atlanta.”

“As an All-Star player and World Series-winning manager, Joe Torre’s career shows resilience, integrity and leadership on and off the field,” said Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner, business and media. “We’re thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to help share Joe’s incredible life story and showcase his indelible impact on our game.”

“As a New Yorker and Yankees fan, I am proud that BD4 is the studio behind this doc,” said Silver, CEO of BD4. “The attributes that defined Joe’s teams are some of the qualities that inspired me to name my company after the three subway lines that lead to Yankee Stadium. To now be telling Joe’s story, with another proud New Yorker like John Turturro directing and my longtime friends at Major League Baseball, feels both deeply personal and a true honor.”

“It’s such a privilege to be part of telling my dad’s story,” added Andrea Torre, co-executive producer. “He’s lived an incredible life, and the chance to share his path, both personally and professionally, is very meaningful to me.”

“When you’re making a historic documentary, the effort is about more than merely illustrating what happened,” said Goldman.

“In the case of someone as unique as Joe, understanding ‘why’ it happened in the way it did is critically essential to fully appreciate the extraordinary history that is Joe Torre’s life,” added Clements.