Charlie Sheen admits to steroid use while filming 'Major League'

It's no revelation that Charlie Sheen has used drugs. But in an interview in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, the controversial actor reveals a new detail -- he used performance-enhancing drugs during the filming of "Major League."

"It was the only time I ever did steroids," Sheen said of filming the 1989 feature in which he played fireballing relief pitcher Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn. "I did it for like six or eight weeks. You can print this, I don't give a.... My fastball went from 79 to like 85"

Sheen added that the performance-enhancing drugs made him "just a little bitchier than normal"  and that he took them because of "ego, vanity."

He also has an interesting idea on how baseball should handle steroids. "I think they should do it like how they handled the spitball in the 1920s -- every team could have one spitballer," Sheen said. "You should be able to have one guy on your team that's a total ... steroid maniac. Just to make it even."

The always-entertaining Sheen, a former player at Santa Monica High, has plenty more to say about the movie -- including his work with Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager before and during the filming -- and his love for baseball in general ("I just love this game. I study it, and it lives within me").

ALSO:

Should the Dodgers be seized by Major League Baseball?

Jay Mariotti to stand trial on stalking and assault charges

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Charlie Sheen sits below "Major League" co-stars Corbin Bernsen, left, and Tom Berenger in a 1989 file photo. Credit: Timothy White / Associated Press