Now that Major League Baseball has entered into an agreement to place Spider-Man 2 logos on the bases and on-deck circles for one weekend next month, and is reportedly considering other product-placement advertising on players' jerseys, can we all finally agree that it's time Congress repealed baseball's anti-trust exemption?
Here's the Silly Quote of the Day:
"This [advertising] does nothing to impact the play of the game," [MLB president and CEO Bob] DuPuy said. "The base doesn't know that it has a corporate name on it, nor does the foot that hits the base."
Ahh, but consider, Mr. DuPuy: my eyes that watch the game will know that this looks absoludicrously awful. What's next? Where do we draw the line?
Oh. That's where.
That sucks!
I'm not a huge baseball fan - but can guarantee that I'd probably stop watching all together if the bases are covered in logos and blockbuster superheros.
UGH!
Also, Spider-Man would be a better football player. Sure, his batting skills would be extraordinary, and as an outfielder who can jump 20 feet in the air he'd effectively neutralize the other team's power-hitters. But the baseball glove means he won't even be using his power of adhesion, which he could use to great effect as a wide receiver; and his spidey-sense, while certainly useful for stealing bases after an intentional walk, would be put to better use avoiding tackles.
Seriously, I am so excited about Spider-Man 2, that I don't mind if baseball ends and all the world gets sucked into hell as a direct result of it.
You know, that's real close to being Braves colors, too. . . . we could make this work.
Spidey's going to have to prove he's not a Mutant, now that the National League has passed that rule.
Filthy muties.
Mike Greenberg made the point on ESPN Radio this morning that the logo is so freakin' small on those bases that they've screwed with the purity of the baseball diamond for a promotion so weak that it must be pitching the movie to infielders, not fans. On the other hand, the crazy-ass media coverage has bought your friendly neighborhood Spider-boosters more free publicity than the couple million they spent on this scam should've carried.
I will not see this movie, because they commercialized baseball for it. Which is the same reason I don't drink beer, buy life insurance, or take Viagra (often). Oh, wait, it's got Kirsten Dunst in the rain again? I'll just wait until it's on cable and watch in the privacy of my own home. Popping Viagra and washing it down with beer (which I understand is contraindicated in the label).