DEMOREST, Ga – The Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art at Piedmont University will host the Habersham County debut of the new documentary Stalking the Big Cat of Georgia on Thurs., Mar. 19, 2026. The evening will feature a screening followed by a talkback with special guests.
The event will take place at the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, located at 567 Georgia Street in downtown Demorest. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the screening beginning at 6 p.m. A talkback discussion will follow at 7 p.m., along with a book signing and the opportunity to purchase posters and DVDs.
Featured guests include author Jerry Grillo, artist Joni Mabe, and director Hal Jacobs.
Attendance is RSVP only, with limited seating available. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at: https://tinyurl.com/BigCatMize
Stalking the Big Cat of Georgia explores the life and legacy of Johnny “Big Cat” Mize, a North Georgia native and one of Major League Baseball’s most powerful hitters during the sport’s Golden Age. Born and raised in Demorest, Georgia, Mize went on to play 15 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees. He was a key contributor to the Yankees’ record-setting five consecutive World Series championships from 1949–1953 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest pinch hitters in baseball history.
The documentary draws from Jerry Grillo’s 2024 biography of Mize, published by the University of Nebraska Press, and examines new discoveries made during Grillo’s 20-year research and writing journey. The film also addresses Mize’s career within the context of a segregated baseball era, highlighting his interactions with and respect for Black players of the time.
Director and producer Hal Jacobs has created four full-length documentaries featured on Georgia Public Television. Artist Joni Mabe contributes a visual and regional perspective that further grounds the film in North Georgia’s cultural landscape.
The screening and talkback offer audiences an opportunity to engage with the filmmakers and learn more about one of Demorest’s most accomplished and enduring hometown figures.
