For over a century, Opening Day used to be a tradition in the US -- a time of rebirth and to welcome in the new baseball season with pageantry and excitement. Usually held on the first Monday in April, all 30 teams would play their opening game on the same day. But in recent years, Major League Baseball no longer observes this tradition, choosing to spread Opening Day across three or or four nights.
Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench has been called the greatest catcher in the history of baseball, playing his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds, the first professional team, who would always play their opening game at home.
He teamed up with Kingsford Charcoal to challenge the MLB to "Bring Back Opening Day" through song -- using the classic melody of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," but with lyrics changed to express his feelings of Anger, Sadness and Disgust.
The videos received significant press, and coverage appeared in Bleacher Report, USA Today, Yahoo, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN, and many local news outlets.
AGENCY: Current & Weber Shandwick
Creative/Strategy: Alan Kercinik
Account Lead: Shannon McGovern
Executive Producer: Alex Castro
Senior Producer / Director / Editor: Warren Tessler
Creative/Strategy: Alan Kercinik
Account Lead: Shannon McGovern
Executive Producer: Alex Castro
Senior Producer / Director / Editor: Warren Tessler
PRODUCTION CO: Mirage Studio
Producer / Director of Photography: Basil Mironer
Producer / Director of Photography: Basil Mironer
Cast: Johnny Bench
45 seconds (x3) / 2016