Bleacher Bums is a 1977 play written collaboratively by members of Chicago's Organic Theater Company, from an idea by actor Joe Mantegna.
The characters are a bunch of Chicago Cubs fans, watching a game in progress on a summer afternoon.
Beer is being drunk, hot dogs are being eaten, and friendly wagers start to take on increasing importance.
[2] Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz starred in the original production, a performance of which was filmed for PBS broadcast in 1979, directed by Stuart Gordon.
A 2002 TV movie version for cable television was directed by Saul Rubinek and starred Brad Garrett, Wayne Knight, Matt Craven, Peter Riegert and Hal Sparks.