At one point, Yogi Berra asks Billy Martin if he thinks Rod Carew (who played for the California Angels) will hit .400. To which, Billy responds "I hope so." While some might question why someone from the Yankees would be interested in what a player from the Angels does, there is a reason for this exchange: When Rod Carew was beginning his career with the Minnesota Twins, Billy was a scout, a coach, and a manager with the team. Carew has said that Billy was one of his biggest supporters on the club and that the Twins ownership wanted to get rid of him when he was a rookie but Billy fought for him. So, Billy was genuinely hopeful for Carew's success as it proved Billy's ability to judge talent. In 1977, Carew won the AL Batting Title with a .388 average.
Reggie Jackson was highly critical of the way he was portrayed in the film, saying he felt it slandered him and his family. Jackson threatened to sue producers over his portrayal, and has generally reacted angrily when the subject of the movie comes up in interviews. In 2012 Jackson announced he was writing his own book about the 1977 season in response to the movie, the book is called "Becoming Mr. October" it covers the 1977 season and the 1978 season.
At one point during a game, Billy has Reggie fake a bunt before Reggie hits a home run. When Reggie gets back to the dugout, he tells Billy "No more bunting." In the 1978 season, Billy and Reggie got into another very public dugout confrontation when Reggie attempted a bunt against Billy's order and striking out with runners in scoring position. The confrontation played a role in Billy getting fired in the middle of the season.
In several scenes in Billy Martin's (John Turturro ) office, there is an old black and white picture that can be seen on the shelf behind his desk. The picture is of the REAL Billy Martin as a Yankees player with then Yankees manager Casey Stengel.
Joe Grifasi, who played then Yankee Coach Yogi Berra, had earlier played Yankees broadcaster (and best friend of Berra) Phil Rizzuto in the HBO movie A História De Um Recorde (2001). Christopher McDonald, who appeared as Joe DiMaggio, was also featured in A História De Um Recorde (2001) as Yankee broadcaster Mel Allen.