Heading into the start of the 2018 MLB Postseason, MLB released an ad that seems to make the argument that the unwritten rules of the game are actually a load of bullshit, an argument that I (and most baseball fans under the age of…I don’t know, 35 or so) wholeheartedly subscribe to.
The ad features many of MLB’s young stars in the Postseason, including Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers, rookie phenom Ronald Acuna Jr of the Braves, reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees, and reigning World Champion Carlos Correa of the Astros, among others, having fun, being intense, and kicking ass on the field. The video package includes a narration, and is also spliced with clips of broadcasters shaming players for “not playing the game the right way”.
I got a kick out of the fact that the voice Braves broadcaster Joe Simpson, an ever-present voice on TBS’s Postseason coverage, was in the ad, just a day after Simpson’s name was absent from Turner’s Postseason coverage.
The ad ends with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr, standing with his hat backwards and a bat on his shoulder, saying “no more talk. Let the kids play,” before cutting to more young players celebrating.
One of the most frustrating things about baseball to me is the barrage of old school types who get so upset about players showing personality and getting excited after doing awesome things in games. Three of the most memorable playoff moments in recent years came after players DARED to express themselves following huge hits. If we’re going nuts at home or in the stands, why are we expecting players to stoically react on the field?
The only bad part about this ad is that the people that need to see it are too busy complaining about late start times.
