Major League II
Encyclopedia
Major League II is a 1994 sequel to the 1989 film Major League
. Major League II stars most of the same cast from the original, including Charlie Sheen
, Tom Berenger
, and Corbin Bernsen
. Absent from this film is Wesley Snipes
, who played Willie Mays Hayes in the first film and who by 1994 had become a film star in his own right. Omar Epps
took over his role.
Major League II also welcomes some new faces to the team. David Keith
plays Jack Parkman, a selfish superstar catcher
who is looking to replace the aging Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
) as the starter. Takaaki Ishibashi
of Japan
ese comedic duo Tunnels
is a new outfielder
, Isuro "Kamikazi" Tanaka, who helps excite the team. Eric Bruskotter
is the rookie
catcher Rube Baker who is getting used to the MLB
life.
Randy Quaid
makes a cameo appearance in the film as a fair weather fan.
, who also directed the first installment of the Major League series, in addition to other films, such as The Program
and Down Periscope
. In addition to Sheen, Berenger, Bernsen, Epps, Keith, and Takaaki, Major League II has an additional cast of Dennis Haysbert
, James Gammon
, Bob Uecker
, and Margaret Whitton
, all of whom returned from the first film.
The film touches on the follow-up season of the Cleveland Indians
successful season in the first film. Success has spoiled the team and many of its players. Roger Dorn has retired and purchased the team. New relationships are revealed that have affected play on the field.
The film was released in March 1994 and eventually grossed over $30 million at the U.S. box office
. The film and its sequel Major League: Back to the Minors
were not as well received as the first film, which is considered by many now to be a classic. The film has many cameo appearances by current and former MLB players such as Steve Yeager
and Kevin Hickey. The film also has cameos by several entertainers such as Jesse Ventura
and Randy Quaid
.
The film was shot at various locations in Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio
, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. Various sports stadiums were also used in filming, including Memorial Stadium
, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
and U.S. Cellular Field
(then called Comiskey Park) in Chicago.
Because the film was made between the Indians last season at Cleveland Stadium
and before the opening of Progressive Field, (originally Jacobs Field) Oriole Park at Camden Yards
was used. The producers felt that the Orioles' new stadium could stand in as a close likeness for the Indians' new home.
Coincidentally, a year after this film was released, the actual Cleveland Indians
team made it to the 1995 World Series
, which was the team's first playoff appearance in 41 years. The Indians ended up losing in 6 games to the Atlanta Braves
. In the lead-up to Game 3, the first World Series game played in Cleveland in 41 years, the PA system played "The House Is Rockin," the song from the end of Major League II. In another coincidence, Bob Uecker
(Harry Doyle) served as a commentator for the 1995 World Series television coverage on NBC.
won the division title by beating the New York Yankees
in a one-game playoff, but they were defeated in the ALCS
by the Chicago White Sox
.
The success of last season has changed the attitudes of the Indians. Pitching sensation Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen
) is now a bland yuppie concerned about his endorsement potential, causing him to lose the edge on his fastball. Home run hitter Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert
) underwent a spiritual conversion, from aggressive voodoo to placid Buddhism, which affects his competitive spirit. Conceited player Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen
) retired and bought the team from Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton
). Aging catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
) has also retired to become one of the coaches who work for manager Lou Brown (James Gammon
). And Willie Mays Hayes (Omar Epps
) is still as fast as ever, but he has added some power to his hitting and a sprained knee from performing stunts in his new movie. However, Dorn signs arrogant power hitting catcher Jack Parkman (David Keith
) as an offseason free agent
, and minor league catcher Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter
) makes the team out of spring training, despite his throwing problem.
The Indians get off to another slow start, as egos clash. The signing of Jack Parkman has put Dorn in a financially tough spot, as well as putting a strain on the clubhouse, so Dorn trades Parkman to the Chicago White Sox
, the team that defeated the Indians in the playoffs last season, keeping them from the World Series. In return, the Indians receive Isuro "kamikaze" Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi
), a gifted left fielder with a penchant for crashing into the walls.
Dorn, still short on money, sells the team back to Rachel, but is retained as General Manager. He then announces his comeback to the majors and returns to the team, but cannot regain his former form. Rachel sees this as an opportunity to get revenge on the Indians for what happened last season, so she tries to find ways to make them have a losing season this time. When Lou has a heart attack, he gets Jake to take over as the Indians' interim manager. Baker and Tanaka aid Hayes and Cerrano (respectively) regain their competitiveness, and the Indians begin to win again. A notable turning point to the season comes after an emotional victory in Game 2 of a double-header against the Boston Red Sox
.
The Indians clinch the division on the last game of the year against the Toronto Blue Jays
, giving the team their second consecutive division title. They go on to face the Chicago White Sox
in the ALCS. The Indians take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS against the White Sox, but in the next three games Jack Parkman scorches the Indians forcing a Game 7. In Game 7, Vaughn finds the "Wild Thing," and retires Parkman for the final out, as the Indians would go on to defeat the White Sox sending them to the World Series.
) : The star pitcher of the Cleveland Indians in the first film has lost his edge and has become more business-like and professional in both appearance and personality. His new girlfriend and agent, Flannery (Alison Doody
) aids this transformation. Vaughn has lost his distinct haircut, endorses products such as Right Guard
deodorant and General Cereals, and he even names his pitches (his signature fastball as 'The Terminator'), including his new, ineffective breaking ball
s ('The Eliminator' and 'The Humiliator'). This change affects his game negatively and his old girlfriend (Michelle Burke
) helps him regain his former edge and he, eventually, ends up dumping Flannery, telling her he "doesn't get up in time to eat breakfast anyway" and to "take a hike." As before, his signature entrance is set to a hard rock cover of The Troggs
' hit song "Wild Thing", performed by the Los Angeles-area punk band X.
Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
) : The aging catcher in the first film returns in the same spot he was in during the previous one, trying to make the team one last time. He indeed makes the team, but when questioning manager Lou Brown about his intentions to carry three catchers, finds out he made the Indian's coaching staff. He becomes the leader of the club when the manager, Lou Brown, falls ill and is stationed in the hospital.
Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen
) : The third baseman
in the first film is now the new owner of the Cleveland Indians, having recently purchased the team from Rachel Phelps. He is unsuccessful as the owner trading away great talent and posting billboards in the outfield
to save money
and make the payroll. He ends up selling the team back to Phelps after he no longer can afford to run the team. So, he becomes the General Manager
. He then becomes the last man on the roster, activating himself. When he asks new manager, Jake Taylor when he's getting a start, Taylor sarcastically replies, "There's an Old-Timer's Game coming up soon.".
Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert
) : The voodoo practicing slugger found peace within himself and the world thanks to his conversion to Buddhism
and refuses to get angry at others for whatever mistakes they may make. When Isuro Tanaka is introduced to the team he helps spark Cerrano by constantly taunting him. He later finds a happy medium, wherein he introduces his Buddha
and Jobu icons to each other, finishing with "Now I don't want trouble out of you two!".
Lou Brown (James Gammon
) : Lou returns as the manager of the team, the same nonchalant person who gives in to no player on the team. He experiences a heart attack
when yelling at players in the locker room and Jake Taylor takes over the managing duties while he is in the hospital.
Willie 'Mays' Hayes (Omar Epps
) : Epps reprises the role that Snipes played in the first film. In the first film, Hayes was somewhat narcissistic and has only become worse. He has begun an acting career, he hits for power instead of speed, and has an entourage. He gets a leg injury during the season which keeps him on the bench. People begin to question the injury and a fight ensues between members of the team. It is after this that Hayes returns to old form. (Hayes' desire to be an action movie star may in fact be a reference to Wesley Snipes' inability to return for the sequel. After the original movie, Snipes went on to star in action movies like Passenger 57
, Rising Sun
, and Demolition Man
.) In one scene of this movie, character Willie 'Mays' Hayes recreates Willie Mays
' famous catch in the 1954 World Series
.
Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker
) : Doyle returns as quick-witted Indians radio announcer who enjoys drinking Jack Daniel's
whiskey while calling the games, often getting drunk during losing streaks. He constantly makes fun of the team and its actions with sarcasm, one-liners and occasional on-air swearing.
Jack Parkman (David Keith
) : Parkman is a superstar catcher that the Indians acquired through free agency
from the Oakland Athletics
. He is very cocky and brash and not afraid of smoking cigarettes in the dugout during games. He believes he is the best player on the team and that everyone else are losers by choice or birth and is not afraid to reveal this to the media
or other members of the team. He is traded to the Chicago White Sox
during the season and ends up facing his old team in the ALCS.
Isuro Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi
) : Tanaka is acquired in part of the deal that sent Parkman to Chicago. He speaks very little English and uses a dictionary to look up certain translations. He's full of energy and provides a spark for the Indians eventually, most notably Pedro Cerrano.
His name, Isuro, was unnatural as a Japanese name. Therefore, his name became Taka Tanaka in the Japanese dubbed version after Takaaki Ishibashi's nickname. Taka appeared in the sequel. (see: Major League: Back to the Minors
)
Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton
) : Phelps returns as the owner of the team. It is revealed during the beginning of the film she sold the team to Roger Dorn but she buys it back once the Indians begin to struggle. She is very interested in her original plan of relocating the team to Florida, so she indeed wants them to fail.
Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter
) : Baker is a new rookie catcher on the Indians. Baker is sensitive, and, at times, clueless. He is from small town America
and is not accustomed to the major league baseball life. Jake Taylor is in charge of guiding his career. Baker is made the starter when Parkman is traded away to the White Sox. His problem involves not being able to throw the ball back to the mound properly (this was based in part on the real-life problems that plagued former New York Mets
catcher Mackey Sasser
). This problem was solved with the aid of Playboy
and a Frederick's of Hollywood
catalog.
Rebecca Flannery (Alison Doody
) : Vaughn's new girlfriend. She is high-class and determined to make the "Wild Thing" respectable, much to the disappointment of his fans. It also has the unfortunate side-effect of ruining his pitching abilities.
Nikki Reese (Michelle Burke
) : Reese is an old girlfriend of Vaughn. She is in charge of a program for under-privileged children. She eventually helps Vaughn get his edge back and abandon his new look.
, another sports comedy featuring Major League star Charlie Sheen's brother, Emilio Estevez. In the United States
, the movie made a total of $29,364,738 in the box office.
has announced that he is working on new film, which he calls Major League 3, and hopes to cast the original stars Charlie Sheen
, Wesley Snipes
and Tom Berenger
. The plot would see Sheens's character Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn coming out of retirement to work with a young player. The film is being seen as the third film in the series, despite the fact that a third film, Major League: Back to the Minors
, was released in 1998.
On April 6, 2011 in Cleveland Ohio, Charlie Sheen during his "violent torpedoes of truth" tour announced to the audience that he's in the process of doing a Major League 3, and said "We are gonna shoot it right here in Cleveland!". He opened the show wearing a "Rick Vaughn" #99 Cleveland Indians jersey.
Major League (film)
Major League is a 1989 American satire comedy film written and directed by David S. Ward, starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, James Gammon, and Corbin Bernsen. Made for US$11 million, Major League grossed nearly US$50 million in domestic release...
. Major League II stars most of the same cast from the original, including Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
, Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
, and Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
. Absent from this film is Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
, who played Willie Mays Hayes in the first film and who by 1994 had become a film star in his own right. Omar Epps
Omar Epps
Omar Hashim Epps is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His film roles include Major League II, Juice, Higher Learning, Scream 2, The Wood, In Too Deep, and Love and Basketball. Epps' television work includes the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the US medical drama series ER,...
took over his role.
Major League II also welcomes some new faces to the team. David Keith
David Keith
David Lemuel Keith is an American actor and director. He received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.-Career:...
plays Jack Parkman, a selfish superstar catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who is looking to replace the aging Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
) as the starter. Takaaki Ishibashi
Takaaki Ishibashi
is a Japanese owarai artist, singer and actor.Born in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan, Ishibashi moved to Narimasu, Itabashi after his father's bankruptcy in his first grade at an elementary school. He attended Teikyo Junior & Senor High School and is best known as a member of Tunnels with his partner...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese comedic duo Tunnels
Tunnels (owarai)
The are an owarai duo with a long history composed of Tokyo born and . Both of them attended where Ishibashi, the taller of the two, participated in baseball, and Kinashi participated in soccer....
is a new outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, Isuro "Kamikazi" Tanaka, who helps excite the team. Eric Bruskotter
Eric Bruskotter
- Career :Bruskotter started acting in the mid-80's appearing in television shows like Mr. Belvedere and Amazing Stories. He gained notoriety when he appeared in the film Can't Buy Me Love in 1987...
is the rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
catcher Rube Baker who is getting used to the MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
life.
Randy Quaid
Randy Quaid
Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films, including his Oscar nominated performance in The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain...
makes a cameo appearance in the film as a fair weather fan.
Background
The film was directed by David S. WardDavid S. Ward
David Schad Ward is an American film director and screen writer.-Life and career:Ward was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Miriam and Robert McCollum Ward. Ward has degrees from Pomona College , as well as both USC and the UCLA Film School...
, who also directed the first installment of the Major League series, in addition to other films, such as The Program
The Program
The Program is a 1993 film starring James Caan, Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Craig Sheffer, Kristy Swanson, Daniel Lee, and Joey Lauren Adams. The film was directed by David S...
and Down Periscope
Down Periscope
Down Periscope is a 1996 comedy film starring Kelsey Grammer as the captain of a rust-bucket Navy submarine, the USS Stingray, who is fighting for his career....
. In addition to Sheen, Berenger, Bernsen, Epps, Keith, and Takaaki, Major League II has an additional cast of Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Dexter Haysbert is an American film and television actor. He is known for portraying baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, President David Palmer on the American television series 24, and Sergeant Major Jonas Blane on the drama series The Unit, as well as his work...
, James Gammon
James Gammon
James Richard Gammon was an American actor, known for playing grizzled "good ol' boy" types in numerous films and television series.-Early life:...
, Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
, and Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton is an American stage, film, and television actress, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Whitton did her primary film work between 1986 and 1993. Her most visible roles were that of baseball team owner Rachel Phelps in Major League and its sequel Major League II, and as...
, all of whom returned from the first film.
The film touches on the follow-up season of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
successful season in the first film. Success has spoiled the team and many of its players. Roger Dorn has retired and purchased the team. New relationships are revealed that have affected play on the field.
The film was released in March 1994 and eventually grossed over $30 million at the U.S. box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
. The film and its sequel Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors is a 1998 film, distributed by Warner Bros., directed and written by John Warren, with David S. Ward taking the co-writer duties. It is the third film in the Major League series.-Cast:...
were not as well received as the first film, which is considered by many now to be a classic. The film has many cameo appearances by current and former MLB players such as Steve Yeager
Steve Yeager
Stephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
and Kevin Hickey. The film also has cameos by several entertainers such as Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
and Randy Quaid
Randy Quaid
Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films, including his Oscar nominated performance in The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain...
.
The film was shot at various locations in Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. Various sports stadiums were also used in filming, including Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
and U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
(then called Comiskey Park) in Chicago.
Because the film was made between the Indians last season at Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
and before the opening of Progressive Field, (originally Jacobs Field) Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
was used. The producers felt that the Orioles' new stadium could stand in as a close likeness for the Indians' new home.
Coincidentally, a year after this film was released, the actual Cleveland Indians
1995 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the Major League Baseball season that led to the Indians returning to the World Series for the first time since . In a season that started late by 18 games - giving it just a 144 games - the Indians finished in first place in the American League Central Division...
team made it to the 1995 World Series
1995 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ace Greg Maddux pitched a two-hit complete game victory in his first World Series appearance ....
, which was the team's first playoff appearance in 41 years. The Indians ended up losing in 6 games to the Atlanta Braves
1995 Atlanta Braves season
The 1995 Atlanta Braves season was the 125th season in the history of the franchise and 30th season in the city of Atlanta. The team finished the strike-shortened season with a record of 90–54, the best in the National League, en route to winning the World Series. For the sixth straight season,...
. In the lead-up to Game 3, the first World Series game played in Cleveland in 41 years, the PA system played "The House Is Rockin," the song from the end of Major League II. In another coincidence, Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
(Harry Doyle) served as a commentator for the 1995 World Series television coverage on NBC.
Plot
Last season, the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
won the division title by beating the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in a one-game playoff, but they were defeated in the ALCS
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
The success of last season has changed the attitudes of the Indians. Pitching sensation Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
) is now a bland yuppie concerned about his endorsement potential, causing him to lose the edge on his fastball. Home run hitter Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Dexter Haysbert is an American film and television actor. He is known for portraying baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, President David Palmer on the American television series 24, and Sergeant Major Jonas Blane on the drama series The Unit, as well as his work...
) underwent a spiritual conversion, from aggressive voodoo to placid Buddhism, which affects his competitive spirit. Conceited player Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
) retired and bought the team from Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton is an American stage, film, and television actress, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Whitton did her primary film work between 1986 and 1993. Her most visible roles were that of baseball team owner Rachel Phelps in Major League and its sequel Major League II, and as...
). Aging catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
) has also retired to become one of the coaches who work for manager Lou Brown (James Gammon
James Gammon
James Richard Gammon was an American actor, known for playing grizzled "good ol' boy" types in numerous films and television series.-Early life:...
). And Willie Mays Hayes (Omar Epps
Omar Epps
Omar Hashim Epps is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His film roles include Major League II, Juice, Higher Learning, Scream 2, The Wood, In Too Deep, and Love and Basketball. Epps' television work includes the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the US medical drama series ER,...
) is still as fast as ever, but he has added some power to his hitting and a sprained knee from performing stunts in his new movie. However, Dorn signs arrogant power hitting catcher Jack Parkman (David Keith
David Keith
David Lemuel Keith is an American actor and director. He received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.-Career:...
) as an offseason free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, and minor league catcher Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter
Eric Bruskotter
- Career :Bruskotter started acting in the mid-80's appearing in television shows like Mr. Belvedere and Amazing Stories. He gained notoriety when he appeared in the film Can't Buy Me Love in 1987...
) makes the team out of spring training, despite his throwing problem.
The Indians get off to another slow start, as egos clash. The signing of Jack Parkman has put Dorn in a financially tough spot, as well as putting a strain on the clubhouse, so Dorn trades Parkman to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, the team that defeated the Indians in the playoffs last season, keeping them from the World Series. In return, the Indians receive Isuro "kamikaze" Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi
Takaaki Ishibashi
is a Japanese owarai artist, singer and actor.Born in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan, Ishibashi moved to Narimasu, Itabashi after his father's bankruptcy in his first grade at an elementary school. He attended Teikyo Junior & Senor High School and is best known as a member of Tunnels with his partner...
), a gifted left fielder with a penchant for crashing into the walls.
Dorn, still short on money, sells the team back to Rachel, but is retained as General Manager. He then announces his comeback to the majors and returns to the team, but cannot regain his former form. Rachel sees this as an opportunity to get revenge on the Indians for what happened last season, so she tries to find ways to make them have a losing season this time. When Lou has a heart attack, he gets Jake to take over as the Indians' interim manager. Baker and Tanaka aid Hayes and Cerrano (respectively) regain their competitiveness, and the Indians begin to win again. A notable turning point to the season comes after an emotional victory in Game 2 of a double-header against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
The Indians clinch the division on the last game of the year against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, giving the team their second consecutive division title. They go on to face the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the ALCS. The Indians take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS against the White Sox, but in the next three games Jack Parkman scorches the Indians forcing a Game 7. In Game 7, Vaughn finds the "Wild Thing," and retires Parkman for the final out, as the Indians would go on to defeat the White Sox sending them to the World Series.
Cast
Rick 'Wild Thing' Vaughn (Charlie SheenCharlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
) : The star pitcher of the Cleveland Indians in the first film has lost his edge and has become more business-like and professional in both appearance and personality. His new girlfriend and agent, Flannery (Alison Doody
Alison Doody
-Early life:The youngest of three children, she was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her mother, Joan, was a beauty therapist, and her father, Patrick, worked in the property business and farmed...
) aids this transformation. Vaughn has lost his distinct haircut, endorses products such as Right Guard
Right Guard
Right Guard is a brand of deodorant for men. It is also a brand of shower gel. It is manufactured by the Dial Corporation unit of Henkel of North America, which acquired the brand in 2006 as a condition for Procter & Gamble's Gillette acquisition because P&G has other deodorant brands such as Old...
deodorant and General Cereals, and he even names his pitches (his signature fastball as 'The Terminator'), including his new, ineffective breaking ball
Breaking ball
In baseball, a breaking ball is a pitch that does not travel straight like a fastball as it approaches the batter. A pitcher who uses primarily breaking ball pitches is often referred to as a junkballer. A breaking ball will have some sideways or downward motion on it...
s ('The Eliminator' and 'The Humiliator'). This change affects his game negatively and his old girlfriend (Michelle Burke
Michelle Burke
Michelle Burke is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jodi Kramer in the 1993 Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused and as Connie Conehead in the movie Coneheads...
) helps him regain his former edge and he, eventually, ends up dumping Flannery, telling her he "doesn't get up in time to eat breakfast anyway" and to "take a hike." As before, his signature entrance is set to a hard rock cover of The Troggs
The Troggs
The Troggs are an English rock band from the 1960s that had a number of hits in UK and the US. Their most famous songs include, "Wild Thing", "With a Girl Like You", and "Love Is All Around"...
' hit song "Wild Thing", performed by the Los Angeles-area punk band X.
Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
) : The aging catcher in the first film returns in the same spot he was in during the previous one, trying to make the team one last time. He indeed makes the team, but when questioning manager Lou Brown about his intentions to carry three catchers, finds out he made the Indian's coaching staff. He becomes the leader of the club when the manager, Lou Brown, falls ill and is stationed in the hospital.
Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
) : The third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in the first film is now the new owner of the Cleveland Indians, having recently purchased the team from Rachel Phelps. He is unsuccessful as the owner trading away great talent and posting billboards in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
to save money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
and make the payroll. He ends up selling the team back to Phelps after he no longer can afford to run the team. So, he becomes the General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
. He then becomes the last man on the roster, activating himself. When he asks new manager, Jake Taylor when he's getting a start, Taylor sarcastically replies, "There's an Old-Timer's Game coming up soon.".
Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Dexter Haysbert is an American film and television actor. He is known for portraying baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, President David Palmer on the American television series 24, and Sergeant Major Jonas Blane on the drama series The Unit, as well as his work...
) : The voodoo practicing slugger found peace within himself and the world thanks to his conversion to Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and refuses to get angry at others for whatever mistakes they may make. When Isuro Tanaka is introduced to the team he helps spark Cerrano by constantly taunting him. He later finds a happy medium, wherein he introduces his Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
and Jobu icons to each other, finishing with "Now I don't want trouble out of you two!".
Lou Brown (James Gammon
James Gammon
James Richard Gammon was an American actor, known for playing grizzled "good ol' boy" types in numerous films and television series.-Early life:...
) : Lou returns as the manager of the team, the same nonchalant person who gives in to no player on the team. He experiences a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
when yelling at players in the locker room and Jake Taylor takes over the managing duties while he is in the hospital.
Willie 'Mays' Hayes (Omar Epps
Omar Epps
Omar Hashim Epps is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His film roles include Major League II, Juice, Higher Learning, Scream 2, The Wood, In Too Deep, and Love and Basketball. Epps' television work includes the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the US medical drama series ER,...
) : Epps reprises the role that Snipes played in the first film. In the first film, Hayes was somewhat narcissistic and has only become worse. He has begun an acting career, he hits for power instead of speed, and has an entourage. He gets a leg injury during the season which keeps him on the bench. People begin to question the injury and a fight ensues between members of the team. It is after this that Hayes returns to old form. (Hayes' desire to be an action movie star may in fact be a reference to Wesley Snipes' inability to return for the sequel. After the original movie, Snipes went on to star in action movies like Passenger 57
Passenger 57
Passenger 57 is a 1992 American action film starring Wesley Snipes and Bruce Payne. The film's success made Snipes a popular action hero icon.-Plot:...
, Rising Sun
Rising Sun (film)
Rising Sun is a [1993 film directed by Philip Kaufman, starring Sean Connery , Wesley Snipes, Harvey Keitel, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa...
, and Demolition Man
Demolition Man (film)
Demolition Man is a 1993 American, science fiction action film directed by Marco Brambilla, and starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, and Denis Leary co-star....
.) In one scene of this movie, character Willie 'Mays' Hayes recreates Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
' famous catch in the 1954 World Series
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
.
Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
) : Doyle returns as quick-witted Indians radio announcer who enjoys drinking Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
whiskey while calling the games, often getting drunk during losing streaks. He constantly makes fun of the team and its actions with sarcasm, one-liners and occasional on-air swearing.
Jack Parkman (David Keith
David Keith
David Lemuel Keith is an American actor and director. He received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.-Career:...
) : Parkman is a superstar catcher that the Indians acquired through free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
from the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He is very cocky and brash and not afraid of smoking cigarettes in the dugout during games. He believes he is the best player on the team and that everyone else are losers by choice or birth and is not afraid to reveal this to the media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
or other members of the team. He is traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
during the season and ends up facing his old team in the ALCS.
Isuro Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi
Takaaki Ishibashi
is a Japanese owarai artist, singer and actor.Born in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan, Ishibashi moved to Narimasu, Itabashi after his father's bankruptcy in his first grade at an elementary school. He attended Teikyo Junior & Senor High School and is best known as a member of Tunnels with his partner...
) : Tanaka is acquired in part of the deal that sent Parkman to Chicago. He speaks very little English and uses a dictionary to look up certain translations. He's full of energy and provides a spark for the Indians eventually, most notably Pedro Cerrano.
His name, Isuro, was unnatural as a Japanese name. Therefore, his name became Taka Tanaka in the Japanese dubbed version after Takaaki Ishibashi's nickname. Taka appeared in the sequel. (see: Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors is a 1998 film, distributed by Warner Bros., directed and written by John Warren, with David S. Ward taking the co-writer duties. It is the third film in the Major League series.-Cast:...
)
Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton
Margaret Whitton is an American stage, film, and television actress, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Whitton did her primary film work between 1986 and 1993. Her most visible roles were that of baseball team owner Rachel Phelps in Major League and its sequel Major League II, and as...
) : Phelps returns as the owner of the team. It is revealed during the beginning of the film she sold the team to Roger Dorn but she buys it back once the Indians begin to struggle. She is very interested in her original plan of relocating the team to Florida, so she indeed wants them to fail.
Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter
Eric Bruskotter
- Career :Bruskotter started acting in the mid-80's appearing in television shows like Mr. Belvedere and Amazing Stories. He gained notoriety when he appeared in the film Can't Buy Me Love in 1987...
) : Baker is a new rookie catcher on the Indians. Baker is sensitive, and, at times, clueless. He is from small town America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and is not accustomed to the major league baseball life. Jake Taylor is in charge of guiding his career. Baker is made the starter when Parkman is traded away to the White Sox. His problem involves not being able to throw the ball back to the mound properly (this was based in part on the real-life problems that plagued former New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
catcher Mackey Sasser
Mackey Sasser
Mack Daniel Sasser is a former professional baseball catcher, who played from to for the New York Mets, the San Francisco Giants, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Seattle Mariners....
). This problem was solved with the aid of Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
and a Frederick's of Hollywood
Frederick's of Hollywood
Frederick's of Hollywood is a well-known retailer of women's lingerie in the United States, with stores in many modern shopping malls across the USA....
catalog.
Rebecca Flannery (Alison Doody
Alison Doody
-Early life:The youngest of three children, she was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her mother, Joan, was a beauty therapist, and her father, Patrick, worked in the property business and farmed...
) : Vaughn's new girlfriend. She is high-class and determined to make the "Wild Thing" respectable, much to the disappointment of his fans. It also has the unfortunate side-effect of ruining his pitching abilities.
Nikki Reese (Michelle Burke
Michelle Burke
Michelle Burke is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jodi Kramer in the 1993 Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused and as Connie Conehead in the movie Coneheads...
) : Reese is an old girlfriend of Vaughn. She is in charge of a program for under-privileged children. She eventually helps Vaughn get his edge back and abandon his new look.
- Rene RussoRene Russo- Early life :Russo was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Shirley , a factory worker and barmaid, and Nino Russo, a sculptor and car mechanic who left the family when Rene was two. Her father and maternal grandfather were of Italian descent. Russo grew up with her sister, Toni, and their...
makes a cameo for one scene as Lynn, Jake's love interest from the first film. They are wearing rings implying that they have married in the time since the original. - Jay LenoJay LenoJames Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
also makes a cameo when Vaughn is a guest on The Tonight Show. - Randy QuaidRandy QuaidRandall Rudy "Randy" Quaid is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films, including his Oscar nominated performance in The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain...
plays an extremely loyal fan in the outfield stands. - Richard SchiffRichard SchiffRichard Schiff is an American actor. He is best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he received an Emmy Award...
has a cameo as a director for a Right Guard commercial starring Vaughn. - Jesse VenturaJesse VenturaJames George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
plays himself in a cameo as a movie-star opposite Hayes in the action film "Black Hammer, White Lightning".
Box office
The movie debuted at No.2 behind D2: The Mighty DucksD2: The Mighty Ducks
D2: The Mighty Ducks is the second film in The Mighty Ducks trilogy and the first theatrical sequel to The Mighty Ducks. It was produced by Avnet–Kerner Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, and it was originally released on March 25, 1994...
, another sports comedy featuring Major League star Charlie Sheen's brother, Emilio Estevez. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the movie made a total of $29,364,738 in the box office.
Sequel
David S. WardDavid S. Ward
David Schad Ward is an American film director and screen writer.-Life and career:Ward was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Miriam and Robert McCollum Ward. Ward has degrees from Pomona College , as well as both USC and the UCLA Film School...
has announced that he is working on new film, which he calls Major League 3, and hopes to cast the original stars Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
, Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
and Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
. The plot would see Sheens's character Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn coming out of retirement to work with a young player. The film is being seen as the third film in the series, despite the fact that a third film, Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors is a 1998 film, distributed by Warner Bros., directed and written by John Warren, with David S. Ward taking the co-writer duties. It is the third film in the Major League series.-Cast:...
, was released in 1998.
On April 6, 2011 in Cleveland Ohio, Charlie Sheen during his "violent torpedoes of truth" tour announced to the audience that he's in the process of doing a Major League 3, and said "We are gonna shoot it right here in Cleveland!". He opened the show wearing a "Rick Vaughn" #99 Cleveland Indians jersey.