MLB Pre-All-Star PSA Campaign Supports Boys & Girls Clubs With Whatever It Takes
By Barry Janoff
June 6, 2019: As a lead-in to the All-Star Game in Cleveland next month, MLB has unveiled a multi-media campaign in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, featuring Francisco Lindor, Indians shortstop and upcoming All-Star ambassador.
The bilingual effort, "Whatever It Takes," is anchored by a 30-second spot, the English version narrated by JB Smoove and the Hispanic version by Mario Lopez.
Lindor says his lines in English in one, in Spanish in the other.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the official charitable partner of MLB, an alliance now in its 23rd year.
The spots break this week via MLB media channels including MLB Network, MLB.com and other social platforms.
They will also air throughout national MLB programming this season and in ballparks league-wide, including Progressive Field during the All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and related events.
The effort is part of the “Players Going Home” program through the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation.
“Players Going Home” gives athletes the “opportunity to demonstrate their gratitude and appreciation to those who have helped them along their path to Major League success — in their hometowns and/or the places they now call home.”
“Francisco has devoted much of his time and energy to children throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and he is the perfect representative of our sport in this effort with our great partners at Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” Melanie LeGrande, vp-social responsibility for MLB, said via the league.
“Like Boys & Girls Clubs, we also believe in launching great futures and supporting healthy communities, especially through baseball and softball as a tool for youth development.”
The spot shows Lindor sitting in a neighborhood baseball dugout with a group of young players.
The voiceovers offer, “There’s a place where young people go. And to each of them it means something different. For some it’s help with homework. For others, it’s a trusted friend to talk to. And for some, it’s simply a field to play on.”
Lindor, in his Indians uniform, leads the kids onto the ballfield. “Let’s go, It’'s game time."
The voiceover continues, “Major League Baseball is proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Because you do whatever it takes to support major league dreams and build great futures.”
“As a kid, I was fortunate to have a lot of good people around me that assisted me with my development on and off the diamond,” Lindor said via Boys & Girls Clubs.
“I will never forget those who helped me and will strive to give back and provide guidance to our youth in spirit of those who helped me on my journey. Youth are our future and an organization like Boys & Girls Club only brightens that future.”
According to Jim Clark, president and CEO for Boys & Girls Club of America.“The new spot is a grand slam and highlights how Major League Baseball and their players partner with Boys & Girls Clubs to create great futures for America's youth.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is especially grateful to MLB, the Cleveland Indians and Francisco Lindor for their early and ongoing support of the 2019 ‘Whatever it Takes’ campaign showing the myriad of things that Clubs do to help young people succeed in life.”
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