The Best Sports Movies #1: Major League

I've always had difficulty enjoying sports films, specifically baseball movies. Things have changed in the last several years because authenticity has become more important in sports films, which I'm pleased about. However, there was a time when baseball movies didn't seem to respect the game. I grow up playing baseball all the way through college, so I hated when I film didn't portray baseball accurately. I personally even hated The Natural. Maybe it was just the humor involved, but I completely love the movie Major League. Needless to say, Major League didn't portray baseball very accurately. However, it didn't matter. The film is entertaining and full of both baseball and "regular" humor that everyone could love.

Major League chronicles the quest of the new Cleveland Indians owner Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton) to move her team to Miami. There she will find riches in a new stadium and undoubtedly substantial cash payoffs (now that I think about it, maybe it is an accurate portrayal). Unfortunately, the Indians have an iron clad lease that will only allow the team to move if attendance falls below a certain level. Now, the Indians were bad, but not that bad. She had to lose more games and the only way to do it was to put a team on the field that was sure to lose.

Rachel searched high and low to stock her roster with journeyman players that had no chance to win. She started with a manager named Lou Brown (James Gammon) that seemed happier selling tires that managing a baseball team. From there, her roster developed with funny, yet stereotypical players--the aging yet wise veteran catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), the pretty boy third baseman Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen), the hotshot unknown centerfielder Willie Mays Hays (Wesley Snipes) and the criminal with a heart of gold pitcher Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn (Charlie Sheen). Every player fills a niche on the field and in the plot. Of course, there's a love interest and Rene Russo plays it. Russo plays Lynn Wells, Jake’s old girlfriend who's currently engaged to another man. I sure hope she sees the error of her ways and realizes Jake is the man for her.

The team struggles at the beginning. Players can't hit, can't throw and can't catch and surely won't be able to win. Coach Brown sees that there is potential in some of the young players and the older ones still have something to give. All he needs is something to pull it together. The Indians slowly start winning, but the owner tries to squash their will to win by cutting down on the amenities. She takes away the hot water and forces the team to travel on buses. Not what you would call “major league” service.

The general manager (Charles Cyphers) finally gets tired of the treatment the Indians are receiving so he lets Coach Brown in on the owner’s plans. The players have no choice but to win. If they don’t they’re all out of jobs next year. Every player puts his prejudices and insecurities behind them and focuses on winning baseball games. Needless to say, they succeed and become heroes in the city of Cleveland and march their way to the pennant.

There are actually quite a few talented actors in Major League and they do a good job in the film. The main star is Tom Berenger and he is quite good as Jake. He’s a washed upped ball player and he knows it and he plays the role convincingly (except for the scene near the end of the film where he can’t seem to make it into the catcher’s crouching position). Corbin Bersen is perfectly cast as a pretty boy Dorn. In fact, it’s almost as if Arnie Becker from L.A. Law made his way onto the baseball diamond. Charlie Sheen plays the rebel like he usually did early in his acting career. He basically grunts and acts cool throughout the film, which isn’t really a stretch for him. Wesley Snipes nearly steals the show as Willie Mays Hays. He’s the centerfielder that has a mouth as big as ego. He’s cocky and well cast. Rene Russo made her film debut in Major League and it’s a solid start. She plays the “woman” in a guy’s film and really holds her own. You can see the talent that she will display later.

There are some really funny auxiliary performances in Major League that can’t be ignored. Dennis Haysbert (President David Palmer in 24) plays the voodoo follower Cerrano whose bats are afraid of curveballs. He’s quite good in the role. James Gammon plays Coach Brown subtly and quite humorously. He actually has some very funny lines in the film. You also can’t ignore Bob Uecker as the long-suffering Indians announcer. He’s funny in a role that probably mirrors his life as the real Milwaukee Brewers announcer.

There is no doubt that the plot of Major League is well known territory. There is nothing ground breaking in the screenplay and everything you expect to happen does in fact happen. However, it doesn’t make this any less of a film. It’s funny, touching and well made. You just have to go into it expecting to be entertained for an hour and a half and you will be. Keep in mind that you'll want to leave the kids out of room when watching the film. The language is quite harsh at points, so it's best for it not to hit sensitive ears.

If you are looking for a funny and entertaining film you can’t go wrong watching Major League. It is also important to say that you will want to stay far away from the two sequels, Major League II and Major League: Back To The Minors. Neither one of these films comes close to matching the original.

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