Orion Pictures released Eight Men Out to theaters on September 2, 1988. John Sayles directed the film starring John Cusack, Clifton James, and Michael Lerner.
‘Eight Men Out’ Movie Summary
The scene is Chicago, early autumn in 1919. It is nearly one year after the armistice that ended the Great War. Prohibition will soon take effect, thus ushering in the Jazz Age. The major league baseball season is coming to a close, and the Chicago White Sox – the most dominant team in the game – are on the field in their home park, thrilling their fans. They are about to clinch the pennant that will guarantee them a place in the 1919 World Series.
Also in the stands are gamblers Sleepy Bill Burns (Christopher Lloyd) and Billy Maharg (Richard Edson). They converse about members of the White Sox who they think would be willing to throw the World Series in exchange for money, a scheme that seems very possible since Charles Comiskey (Clifton James), the skinflint owner of the White Sox, horribly underpays his ballplayers, and the White Sox are expected to be the huge favorite to win the World Series. The two Bills believe that Eddie Cicotte, the star pitcher of the team, is the key player they want in on the fix because pitchers have the most control over the outcome of a game.

The White Sox win the pennant in style. After the game in the clubhouse, the players expect to receive a cash bonus for their accomplishment. Instead, Comiskey’s secretary provides them with flat champagne. Meanwhile, Comiskey and his fellow capitalist pigs and members of the press are gorging themselves on an opulent spread, including champagne with bubbles.

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