Jake Taylor

Living... in Cleveland, where he plays for the pro baseball team. Like many others, Jake’s not the biggest fan of late ‘80s Cleveland. The weather's lousy, and downtown is a pit. But right now it’s home.

Profession... catcher for the Cleveland Indians. At one point, he was an All-Star in Boston, but that was before age took its toll and his knees gave out. He was playing in Mexico when he wass happily surprised by an offer to play for the Indians. That optimism is only slightly dimmed when he meets his new teammates, an unlikely band of has-beens and never-weres. Soon Jake is playing mentor to several untested rookies, including near-sighted fireballer Ricky Vaughn, slap-hitting speedster Willie Mays Hayes, and curveball-averse Cuban slugger Pedro Cerrano.

Interests... until recently, carousing and chasing girls. The “new” Jake is even trying to read books. Sure, they have plenty of pictures, but it’s a start.

Relationship Status... pursuing Lynn, his ex. They’d had a passionate relationship a few years back, but Jake cheated on her and didn’t know what he had until she left. Jake wants to prove to Lynn that he’s a changed man – no matter how many times she tells him she’s moved on.

Challenge... dealing with the team’s new owner. Rachel Phelps is a former Vegas showgirl who inherited the team when her husband died. She has a sweetheart deal to move the team to Miami, but first she needs to get out of the team’s lease in Cleveland. When she discovers there’s an escape clause if attendance plummets below a certain level, she intentionally puts together the worst team she can. When Jake and his teammates find out, they decide there’s only one thing to do to get revenge: “Let’s win the whole [friggin’] thing!”

Personality... world-weary and wise, at least in baseball terms. For years, Jake skated through life on his charm, good looks, and natural athletic ability. But now that he’s in his mid-30s, he’s found that he needs to get serious about both his baseball career and his personal life before it’s too late. He feels like he’s been given a second chance on both fronts, and he’s determined to do better this time around.