The Making of Major League
by Jonathan Knight

Juuuuust a bit inside.

Jobu.

Wild Thing.

Anyone who has seen the movie Major League will instantly recognize these, and dozens of other, phrases and characters from the classic baseball movie featuring the underdog Cleveland Indians.

People from Cleveland and Milwaukee (where much was filmed) are naturally fans but to many, this is the quintessential baseball movie.

Author Jonathan Knight created the ultimate in depth look at the movie and how it was made and then the follow-up films and reactions. The book includes inside information from writer/director David Ward and producer Chris Chesser as well as all the stars (Tom Berenger, Bob Ueker, Corbin Bernsen, etc and even a foreword by Charlie Sheen.) Not to mention participants like Sister Mary Assumpta.

There are details that will appeal to film buffs - how it was approached, funded, produced, marketed, etc. Of course baseball fans will enjoy the stories of how the actors were taught proper baseball mechanics making it one of the most realistic baseball movies ever.

The author includes a lot of what he calls "Extras" that include trivia, unknown behind-the-scenes info and other tidbits that fans will eat up.

The book is thorough enough to serve as reference material but loaded with enough stories to make it a fun read.

I was at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for the big crowd filming with the helicopters and in reality it wasn't very memorable. We just sat in the stands. But the memories from the movie, now reinforced by this book, are lasting.

Just try and listen to Wild Thing or Randy Newman's Burn On without a fond memory of Major League.

There's a red moon rising on the Cuyahoga River…

Reviewed by Dan Hanson