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Oh, how I love a good underdog story. It’s why I became a Red Sox fan, back when they were still cursed. It’s why I was there to cheer for the Columbus Blue Jackets in their first-ever playoff run…against my old home team, the Red Wings. And it’s why I can’t help but enjoy the 1989 baseball comedy, Major League.
Written and directed by long-time Cleveland Indians fan David S. Ward, Major League is the story of a major league team that’s on its last leg. When the Indians’ owner dies and leaves the team to his ex-Vegas showgirl wife, Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton), she decides to cash in and move the team to Miami. Unfortunately, the team has a contract with the City of Cleveland—and the only way out is to generate abysmal attendance figures.
To sabotage the team, Rachel hires a bunch of misfits and has-beens—like Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), a wild rookie pitcher who’s fresh out of prison, and Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), a washed-up catcher who’s been playing in Mexico. Led by minor league manager turned tire salesman Lou Brown (James Gammon), the team actually manages to win a game or two, much to the delight of their four remaining fans—so Rachel responds by cutting the team’s funding. But when the guys find out about their owner’s plan, they decide to fight back—by winning.
Major League is for baseball what Slap Shot is for hockey: a wild and crazy comedy that sports fans can turn to time and time again. It’s a story about baseball, but, even more so, it’s a story about a bunch of eccentric and endearing characters, most of whom are strangely likeable and ridiculously entertaining. From Sheen’s rebellious “Wild Thing” Vaughn to Wesley Snipes’s energetic and enthusiastic Willie Mays Hayes—and, especially, Bob Uecker’s cynical sportscaster, Harry Doyle—they’re sure to give baseball fans something to laugh (and cheer) about.
Unfortunately, though, the film’s storytelling is a bit disjointed, touching on various subplots without really developing any of them. For instance, there’s a storyline that focuses on Jake and his ex-girlfriend, Lynn (Rene Russo)—but the tension simply fades away, and everything just takes care of itself in the end. Similarly, there are a couple of scenes involving hotshot Dorn (Corbin Bernsen) and his wife—yet there’s no real development or resolution.
Still, all of those random snippets come together to tell an entertaining underdog story that’s filled with memorable lines and classic quotes. It may not be a brilliant film, but, for baseball fans, it’s must-own—because it’s just the thing to get you through the off-season.
Blu-ray Review:
The Blu-ray release of Major League includes the same extras as the film’s 2007 Wild Thing Edition DVD release. For me, the most fascinating feature is the alternate ending, which offers a different take on Rachel’s malicious behavior. It’s closely followed by Bob Uecker: Just a Bit Outside, a feature on Uecker’s career and his role in the film. There’s also a making-of feature, which discusses the casting process, the cast’s boot camp, and more, and A Major League Look at Major League, in which several major league players offer their thoughts on the movie. The disc also includes a tour of Cerrano’s infamous locker, a director commentary, and a photo gallery.
For Major League fans, this is a major Blu-ray release: a fun baseball comedy with a handful of worthwhile extras.
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