Cleveland and New York have been regular playoff opponents over the last quarter century (1997, 1999, 2007, 2017, 2020) but for me, their most important matchup occurred back in 1989, even if it wasn’t actually in the playoffs, but a one-game, winner-take-all Game 163 to advance to the ALCS.
Veteran catcher Jake Taylor was the hero that day, pulling the old “Call your shot” bunt trick and somehow making it to first while running at the speed of present-day Cleveland manager Terry Francona. This Cleveland team shared many similarities with this one, including a low payroll. They were also a terror at the bases with Willie Mays Hayes running wild, and Lou Brown, their manager, had a great sense humor. Lou also sold tires during the offseason. But while Roger Dorn wasn’t considered a high-paid talent — he was just high paid — this group has José RamirezWho is more interested being an interior decorator than a ballplayer?
If it’s not obvious by now, “Major League” is my Favourite sports movie scripted (“Hoop Dreams” is my No. 1). The movie takes baseball seriously. Sure, there’s the voodoo subplot for Pedro Cerrano, the ex-con backstory for Ricky Vaughn and other tomfoolery, but the movie doesn’t laugh at itself. (The sequel has some quotable lines but it is altogether forgettable because for much of it; it doesn’t take itself seriously.
