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Mariners' new commercials: Can you fungo?
Posted
at
10:26 am
by By Kirby Arnold
I caught a glimpse of the Mariners new TV commercials early this morning and, as always, humor is the hook. Of this year's batch, some will make you laugh, others may need the hook.
The Mariners just got off the practice field and sat through a screening a few minutes ago while they ate lunch before today's game. Here's my take on the commercials, along with the clubhouse reaction:
There's "Yuni the Magician" featuring the fast hands of shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. He turns a double play, pulls a quarter from behind the umpire's ear, catches a popup and releases a dove. My take: Cute. Clubhouse reaction: Scattered laughter.
"Pepe" is the story of designated hitter Jose Vidro who reveals that he really isn't a switch hitter. Actually, he bats from the left side and his twin brother Pepe bats from the right side. GM Bill Bavasi gets a nice dig at the finish, saying, "Hi Pepe, I didn't know you had a twin brother." My feeling: less cute, a lttle lame. Clubhouse reaction: A few groans.
"Slide show" stars Raul Ibanez, who shows a slide show to introduce new pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva to baseball in Seattle. He shows them the Safeco Field roof, that the loud train noises during the game come from a guy named Earl, and that the'll hear "Louie, Louie" during the seventh inning stretch. Bedard says six words in this spot, which is roughly the length of his talks with the media this spring. Overall impression: a lot lame. Clubhouse reaction: None.
"Fullness and Sheen" is the tale of a few Mariners who decide to have a mustache-growing contest, the criteria being fullness and sheen. Felix Hernandez grows one in about two seconds. Catcher Jamie Burke is stunned, saying, "Man, this guy is good at everything." My impression: Not only is this a good one, but Felix looks a lot like a young Edgar Martinez with his bushy upper lip. Clubhouse reaction: Lots of laughter and, afterward, some strutting by Felix.
"Hit the Target" gives Ichiro Suzuki an easy challenge to conquer when someone puts up a "Hit the target, win a suit" sign on the outfield fence. He doesn't miss, then while being fitted he tells the tailor, "Nice contest, bro." My take: Decent, but I'd rather see Ichiro get a hit this spring. Clubhouse reaction: Ugh.
Adrian Beltre becomes a human "L" screen during batting practice, protecting bullpen coach Norm Charlton, when the real screen breaks. Not a lot of dialogue here, but the image of Beltre sitting in a chair calmly snagging line drives is pretty funny. Clubhouse reaction: Lots of laughter.
"Fungo" shows J.J. Putz asking if a "fungo" bat got its name because it's fun. The answer comes in the next scene, which shows Putz and a host of Mariners dancing around the infield along with acrobats, fire breathers and clowns on stilts. Not sure if I smiled at this one because I liked it or because it's disturbing. Clubhouse reaction: Scattered laughs but mostly a lot of "I can't believe I did that" expressons.
Call me old-fashioned, but give me the "Dr. Piniella, psychiatrist" and "Jay Buhner, standup comedian" commercials of the 1990s.
If you would like to see the commercials, visit http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=sea
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