Major League (1989)

---

Written and Directed by David S. Ward

They just don't make them like this anymore. A wacky, but restrained, comedy about the worst group of major league players that are still getting a paycheck was, surprisingly, something that had never been done before. Bringing out TV stars at the time, the film became an enormous hit based solely on the quality of the film itself, and the fact that it is indeed a very funny movie.

The Cleveland Indians are terrible, and their spoiled brat owner Rachel Phelps wants to put together the worst team she can, so the team will lose enough games so she can convince the league that it will be better for the team to move. So she puts together the old, washed up coach (James Gammon), a burned out former star catcher named Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), along with a bunch of untested young players such as the home run smashing Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert), the lightning-quick Willie Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes), "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and the descending star Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernson), certain they won't be able to tell which way is up.

When the team starts winning and has a Cinderella season, the press takes notice and falls in love with the team, along with the city of Cleveland. When they players learn their owner had it out for them from the beginning, it just inspires them to win bigger and show her what a fool she was for doubting them in the first place.

This is just a plain fun film, and there's a ton to love for baseball fans in particular. However, you don't have to be a baseball fan to laugh at the broad humor, or be entertained throughout. Since it was made in the 80's, it has some corny moments, and some of the stuff is cheesy because that's just how the 80's were, but the film still stands up today, showing that it has aged very well, even if the real game of baseball has not.

8.6/10