The promising career of young and talented baseball player Roy Hobbs is cut short by a terrible crime. 16 years later, Hobbs is signed by the New York Knights and becomes a huge phenomenon. His origins are murky, both the media and the team's owner are anxious to know where the mysterious pitcher came from. Haunted by his past, Hobbs attempts to lead his team to victory in the pennant race, but a determined cadre of shady gamblers have other ideas.