 There really was a ballplayer named "Crash" Davis. Ron Shelton found  his name in a baseball listing as a minor leaguer and American  Legion player. Realizing that he would have to have the permission  of the real Davis to use his name (and thus avoid a lawsuit). When  Shelton approached Davis, he was asked "Do I (Meaning Costner)get  the girl in the end?" Shelton told him he does and Davis signed off  his permission.