Questions
When did Major League come out and who made it?
It was released on April 7, 1989, and was both written and directed by David S. Ward, who grew up in South Euclid, Ohio.
What is the movie about?
A new owner of the Cleveland Indians secretly assembles a roster of washed-up and flawed players to tank the season so she can relocate the team to Miami. Instead, the misfits band together and start winning.
Why did David Ward write it?
Ward, a lifelong Cleveland fan, reportedly said he figured he would never see the Indians win anything unless he wrote a movie where they did.
Who are the main players on the team?
The lineup includes Tom Berenger as catcher Jake Taylor, Charlie Sheen as pitcher Ricky Vaughn, Wesley Snipes as outfielder Willie Mays Hayes, Dennis Haysbert as slugger Pedro Cerrano, and Corbin Bernsen as third baseman Roger Dorn.
Could Charlie Sheen actually pitch?
Yes. Sheen had been a high school pitcher, and his fastball reportedly topped 88 mph during filming. He later admitted he used steroids for nearly two months to boost his performance.
Was it really filmed in Cleveland?
Mostly no. It was shot largely in Milwaukee because it was cheaper and there were union concerns, with Milwaukee County Stadium standing in for Cleveland Stadium.
Where were the spring training scenes shot?
At Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona, using University of Arizona baseball players as extras.
Was the movie a hit?
Yes. It debuted at number one and earned about $75 million worldwide, roughly $50 million domestic and $25 million international, on an $11 million budget.
Did any real baseball players appear in the film?
Former Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich played Yankees slugger Clu Haywood. The ball-doctoring pitcher Eddie Harris was reportedly inspired by real pitcher Gaylord Perry.
Is that really the future star from Scrubs in a cameo?
Yes. Neil Flynn, later famous from Scrubs and The Middle, made his first credited film appearance as a longshoreman.
Was there a different ending originally?
Reportedly yes. The original ending revealed that owner Rachel Phelps secretly loved the team and had scouted each player on purpose, but test audiences preferred her as a straight villain, so it was scrapped.
Where does the line “just a bit outside” come from?
It is delivered by radio commentator Harry Doyle, played by Bob Uecker. Critic Richard Roeper wrote in 2019 that the line has been invoked by seemingly every sportscaster in the 30 years since.
Are there any sequels?
Yes, Major League II came out in 1994, followed by Major League: Back to the Minors, though neither matched the original. A proposed Major League 3 was in development as of 2015 but never got made.
Is there a spooky connection to the Cleveland Guardians name change?
The Indians became the Cleveland Guardians for the 2022 season. The film’s opening features the “Guardians of Traffic” sculptures on the Hope Memorial Bridge, an eerie foreshadowing of the eventual team name.
