The new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they'll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her... Read allThe new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they'll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her.The new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they'll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her.
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This is one of the cleverest predictable movies of all time, and for my taste the best baseball movie. A great cast, an underdog plot, and one memorable choice after another by the writers and director make this a valentine to the foot soldiers of our national pastime. (Remember, this was 15 years ago.)
The fabulous scoreboard, the hysterical radio play-by-play of Bob Uecker, even the motley occupants of Cleveland sports bars are irresistible hooks to reel us in, after we've been hooked by the motley team of colorful has-beens and never-were's. If this is a formula, it's the right one. I deeply love this movie, and regret not having seen it in its theatrical run. (I've seen it a dozen times since.) I'm sure the audience went wild during that climactic Yankees game! How about that Dorn making a bunch of clutch plays! Didn't you love Cerrano carrying his bat around the bases with him? Jake not dusting off, and pointing, twice...man, I wish I'd been there.
Then there's the little insert, early in the story, about Jake's fantasy of hitting the winning run out of the park. What happened instead when the chips were really down?
Okay, it isn't "poetry" -- it's more of a limerick, know what I mean? Just start with three words: "There once was...." and finish it yourself! I bet you'll finish with a big smile on your face!
The fabulous scoreboard, the hysterical radio play-by-play of Bob Uecker, even the motley occupants of Cleveland sports bars are irresistible hooks to reel us in, after we've been hooked by the motley team of colorful has-beens and never-were's. If this is a formula, it's the right one. I deeply love this movie, and regret not having seen it in its theatrical run. (I've seen it a dozen times since.) I'm sure the audience went wild during that climactic Yankees game! How about that Dorn making a bunch of clutch plays! Didn't you love Cerrano carrying his bat around the bases with him? Jake not dusting off, and pointing, twice...man, I wish I'd been there.
Then there's the little insert, early in the story, about Jake's fantasy of hitting the winning run out of the park. What happened instead when the chips were really down?
Okay, it isn't "poetry" -- it's more of a limerick, know what I mean? Just start with three words: "There once was...." and finish it yourself! I bet you'll finish with a big smile on your face!
I grew up in Strongsville Ohio and suffered through many bad Indians teams in the 70's and 80's. At the beginning of the movie it was great seeing the pan view of downtown Cleveland. Oh yes, the movie.......THE INDIANS WIN IT! sums it up perfectly. A million thanks to Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes, Charlie Sheen and the rest of a great cast for making such a funny and heart-warming movie. Thanks to you too, Euk, for giving that line its heart! Give Cleveland a decent sports franchise and they will come for miles to support them. Sold a few home games out at the Jake as you will recall..........a few tough times have hit the Tribe lately but they're coming back....With Mike Hargrove back that's a step in the right direction. Definitely watch this movie if you want to relax in the comfort and safety of a hilarious and nostalgic movie. GO TRIBE!!!!
Over the years many times I have watched Major League and each time I enjoy it. This film just seems better if you watch it during baseball season. The cast and plot of this movie is just great. You have a bunch of misfits and old-timers who come together and bring the Cleveland Indians out of many years of a slump, and finally contend for an American League Pennant. The movie has plenty of funny moments and mishaps that the characters do just to make you laugh while at the same moment you cheer for the team in each game of the season. Charlie Sheen is great he was perfectly cast as the pitcher. Plus the cast of Wesley Snipes, James Gammon, Dennis Haysbert, Corbin Bernsen, and Tom Berenger all worked very good together even Bob Uecker is a joy as the Indians very funny play-by-play announcer. Major League is just one of those movies when you watch it each time you enjoy it and you just love to cheer for the underdog. If you are a baseball fan and love a little comedy mixed with winning then Major League is a movie to watch many times.
As you might know, Baseball is not big in Germany. Hardly anybody knows or understands the rules. People watch soccer here. Basketball gets bigger. But Baseball? No.
So this movie, which many of my friends watched as well, was my first contact with this interesting sport. Of course, it is a fairy tale. Of course, the underdog won't get that big that it will beat everybody and win the championship. Or will it?
Sports history tells us different. The story is the same in every sport. Just two years ago, a team just promoted from second division won the German soccer championship!
This movie depicts the glorious story of a bunch of outsiders and underachievers who finally win some games. And it is told in such a wonderful manner that you can't but root for them on their way out of the slumps. Yes! It is a simple story! But the characters are wonderful, the wisecracking Harry Doyle incredibly funny and the finals... well... no spoilers here.
My most favorite moment is when oldtimer pitcher Harris is replaced by Charlie Sheens character in the finals. In the first games of the season, some die-hard fans had given Sheen the nickname "Wild thing" and sang the famous song. Now, the whole crowd is chanting this song as Sheen steps onto the field to pitch his largest enemy. This scene always gives me goosebumps. It is splendid.
Many great moments, excellent humor and a fate you would wish for your favorite sports team as well - unless you are one of those boring Yankees, Bulls or Bayern Muenchen fans...
So this movie, which many of my friends watched as well, was my first contact with this interesting sport. Of course, it is a fairy tale. Of course, the underdog won't get that big that it will beat everybody and win the championship. Or will it?
Sports history tells us different. The story is the same in every sport. Just two years ago, a team just promoted from second division won the German soccer championship!
This movie depicts the glorious story of a bunch of outsiders and underachievers who finally win some games. And it is told in such a wonderful manner that you can't but root for them on their way out of the slumps. Yes! It is a simple story! But the characters are wonderful, the wisecracking Harry Doyle incredibly funny and the finals... well... no spoilers here.
My most favorite moment is when oldtimer pitcher Harris is replaced by Charlie Sheens character in the finals. In the first games of the season, some die-hard fans had given Sheen the nickname "Wild thing" and sang the famous song. Now, the whole crowd is chanting this song as Sheen steps onto the field to pitch his largest enemy. This scene always gives me goosebumps. It is splendid.
Many great moments, excellent humor and a fate you would wish for your favorite sports team as well - unless you are one of those boring Yankees, Bulls or Bayern Muenchen fans...
... in this great ensemble film about the underdog, from several perspectives, and it's my favorite sports film even though I don't even like baseball. Being a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, and given the team's dilemma for the past thirty years, I definitely feel for the city of Cleveland.
As for the plot, Rachel Phelps is the ex-showgirl widow of the owner of the Cleveland Indians, and as such she has inherited the team. The first day of the new season she comes in with a puzzling roster for spring training - A bunch of has-beens and never-will-be's. She later confides in GM Charlie Donovan that she is deliberately trying to build a team that doesn't just lose - it's been doing that for 34 years - but finishes dead last, with attendance so poor that by contract she is allowed to break her lease with the city and move the team to Florida.
At that point the movie's focus moves to the jug band of players she recruited, how they work together, and how some of them just rub each other the wrong way. At first it looks like Rachel Phelps's plan will be a success, but how would the team react if they knew? Watch and find out.
It's one of the most quotable movies out there and provides genuine tension at the end as you really WANT these guys to win. It gives off such energy. I wasn't a huge fan of the romantic subplot involving Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger) trying to win back his ex-wife because it felt a little forced, but I did appreciate that it gave him some character development.
Charlie Sheen's "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn is iconic, the writing is brilliant , and it gives us a beautiful story of a bunch of ragtag misfits coming together to prove their individual and collective worth.
As for the plot, Rachel Phelps is the ex-showgirl widow of the owner of the Cleveland Indians, and as such she has inherited the team. The first day of the new season she comes in with a puzzling roster for spring training - A bunch of has-beens and never-will-be's. She later confides in GM Charlie Donovan that she is deliberately trying to build a team that doesn't just lose - it's been doing that for 34 years - but finishes dead last, with attendance so poor that by contract she is allowed to break her lease with the city and move the team to Florida.
At that point the movie's focus moves to the jug band of players she recruited, how they work together, and how some of them just rub each other the wrong way. At first it looks like Rachel Phelps's plan will be a success, but how would the team react if they knew? Watch and find out.
It's one of the most quotable movies out there and provides genuine tension at the end as you really WANT these guys to win. It gives off such energy. I wasn't a huge fan of the romantic subplot involving Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger) trying to win back his ex-wife because it felt a little forced, but I did appreciate that it gave him some character development.
Charlie Sheen's "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn is iconic, the writing is brilliant , and it gives us a beautiful story of a bunch of ragtag misfits coming together to prove their individual and collective worth.
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to David S. Ward, Wesley Snipes was not very skilled at baseball in real life, never having played much before. Ward said Snipes was so awful at throwing a baseball that they had no scenes of him throwing a ball. Ward, though, did praise Snipes for being able to master hitting pop-ups.
- GoofsIt is not an ejectable offense (then or now) in Major League Baseball to run the bases while carrying a bat, unless the umpire believes it will disrupt the play, e.g., the ball is live and there will be a play at the base where the batter/runner is going. Even then, the umpire will probably just call the batter out for interference. Carrying the bat is an ejectable offense in girls' fast-pitch softball.
- Quotes
Harry Doyle: JUST a bit outside.
- Alternate versionsAn edited-for-television version of the film featured a revised scene depicting the removal of the final piece of the YOU GUYS STINK/Rachel Phelps cut-out. Lou Brown can be seen and heard)asking, "Should I take it off?" After he does, the rest of the players cheer loudly, though the fully-unclothed cutout is never shown.
- SoundtracksMost of All You
Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
Music by James Newton Howard
Performed by Bill Medley
Produced by James Newton Howard
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Ligas mayores
- Filming locations
- Milwaukee County Stadium - 201 South 46th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA(Cleveland stadium interiors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $11,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $49,797,148
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $8,836,265
- Apr 9, 1989
- Gross worldwide
- $49,797,487
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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