Two of the most unlikely teams you’d anticipate to make the World Series are playing there this year, as if 2016 wasn’t strange enough already. Many ardent supporters of each baseball team are likely engaging in seasonal rituals and dusting off additional magic for the fall classic as the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs take the field for the first of seven possible games tonight, all in the hopes of the big victory. Fortunately for us, there are two memorable films that enable us to participate in the action here at the CinemaBlend offices, and both movies leave us wondering: Where are they now?
Today’s topic will be the 1989 comedic classic Major League, which tells the (fictional) tale of the Cleveland Indians’ ascent to the top of the American League rankings. With a cast of some major players, the history that preceded and followed the professional careers of several cast members have resulted in some unusual career choices. One cast member even serves as a link between the Chicago Cubs’ favourite today and tomorrow. The warm-ups are over, and it’s time to enter the playing field. You Major League co-stars from then and today are here.
Bob Uecker
The man clutched to his drink as tightly as he did to hope for his beloved Indians when Cleveland Indians announcer Harry Doyle delivered his hard-hitting commentary. Since Bob Uecker played baseball for five years, he actually had experience on both sides of the microphone in the major leagues. Most recently, there was a petition circulated asking Uecker to announce this year’s World Series games.
Charlie Sheen
The choice to cast Charlie Sheen as Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn was possibly the best one ever. Sheen had already made appearances before being added to the cast, in everything from Platoon to Badlands. Later in his career, Charlie Sheen became renowned for playing Charlie Harper on Two and a Half Men. However, don’t be shocked if his recognisably visage appears during tonight’s game in full character mode.
Corbin Bernsen
Infielder Roger Dorn is the only player in the Major League starting lineup who has a chance to surpass gorgeous kid Willie Mays Hayes. After receiving a lot of exposure on television, Corben Bernsen made a major sensation in Major League with his humorous skills. He later played a crucial part in Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but he is probably most recognised for his portrayal as Henry Spencer, Shawn’s father, in the popular US comedy Psych.
Dennis Haysbert
Baseball and voodoo are the two things that Pedro Cerrano holds dear. Before getting his role in Major League, Dennis Haysbert frequently played policeman and military commanders in TV series like Laverne and Shirley. His voice is a distinctive blend of silk, gravel, and commanding force. In later roles, he appeared in the popular television show 24, as well as in Ted 2 and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He also serves as Allstate Insurance’s spokesperson.
Neil Flynn
One longshoreman asked the question that was on everyone’s mind when the Cleveland Indians introduced their Major League lineup of has-beens and no-names in 1989: “Who are these fuckin’ guys?” That marked the beginning of Neil Flynn’s acting career in movies. Flynn had a long career as a TV actor before he received his first film credit. After this movie, he could see himself in movies like The Fugitive and Mean Girls as well as television shows like The Middle on ABC and Scrubs on NBC/ABC.
Remember that there is one of his film roles that we haven’t covered; it’s a big one since it’s the second part of our World Series celebration. The only hint we’re going to provide you is about him, so you’ll need to do some research and post your findings in the comments section. We’ll check to see whether you’re correct tomorrow when we return with another World Series-themed “Then and Now,” this time focusing on a specific movie that involves the Chicago Cubs.
Rene Russo
Rene Russo played the part of Lynn Wells, the person who escaped for Jake Taylor. Prior to Major League, she only had one credit on her resume: a part in the short-lived ABC sitcom Sable. Her biggest break would come a few years later, in 1992’s Lethal Weapon 3, where she played Sgt. Lorna Cole. Russo has been in films including The Intern, Nightcrawler, and the Thor movie more recently.
Tom Berenger
Jake Taylor, played by Tom Berenger, more than ably fills the role of the helpless romantic that every drama needs. Prior to playing in Major League, he appeared in The Big Chill, Eddie and the Cruisers, and Platoon, three of the 80s’ biggest hits. With regard to the rest of his career, he had some significant successes with movies like Gettysburg and Inception. On more recent times, Berenger has been seen in Hawaii Five-O on CBS, where he portrays Danny “Danno” Williams’ father.
Wesley Snipes
According to Major League, Willie Mays Hayes is one of the top braggarts in the Majors. Wesley Snipes’ breakthrough performance came in Major League, and as Willie, he shone like a damned diamond. However, if there is one thing for which Snipes is most known, it is his portrayal of Marvel’s naughty daywalker in the Blade series. We can only hope that he gets to play that part in the MCU in the future.
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