50 Greatest MLB Commercials Ever

If I had to bet, I'd say least half of those reading this can immediately name where that image of Fred McGriff is from.

Amazingly enough, there is no video of the legendary commercial that McGriff starred in to promote Tom Emanski's Defensive Drills video.

Commercials are a great way for players to earn extra money while promoting the game that they love and play.

Over the years, there have been hundreds of commercials produced that feature baseball in one way or another—and while the product being directly promoted might not always be Major League Baseball, the game gets as much of a push as any product or brand it's paired alongside.

I've decided to not even attempt and rank these spots, for it would be a fruitless effort.

What I find to be entertaining and effective might not click with someone else, and the same applies when the roles are reversed.

So without further ado, I give you the 50 best baseball commercials of all-time.

Chicks Dig the Long Ball

Future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves become insanely jealous of St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire's ability to woo the ladies.

So, Glavine and Maddux take matters into their own hands, giving us one of the iconic phrases to come out of an ad campaign since "Where's the Beef?"

Rivalries

Part commercial, part public service announcement.

ESPN shows people the danger that you can find yourself in when you aren't paying attention to your surroundings.

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun

Oakland A's bench coach Chip Hale gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he handles the switch hitters on the team—outfielder Coco Crisp, shortstop Cliff Pennington and second baseman Jemile Weeks.

Tim McCarver Is Multi-Talented

Auto-tune is an epidemic that has bought chaos and mediocre tracks to the music industry.

Joe Buck will have no part of Fox's efforts to bring it to the booth.

Lenny Popp

Playing off his reputation for being a little intense, Fox brings us Lenny Dykstra as the lead singer for Tampa band Joe Popp, singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Beware the Ides of October

Did you ever think about when your power tools were manufactured before you bought them?

Me either...until now.

Killing Time in Between Starts

Some pitchers, like Josh Beckett, like to go golfing when they aren't playing.

Others, like Randy Johnson, prefer to earn some extra money on the side.

Surprise!

Maybe it's just the face that the birthday boy makes after his mom springs the big surprise, but this is a great spot—nice job by the Minnesota Twins on this one.

Enjoy the Silence

For those who want to appreciate the beauty of the game itself, this ad from Nike is for you.

Simple, tasteful and incredibly effective.

Generations

Once again, Nike comes out with a classy, simple piece—this time celebrating the history of the Boston Red Sox.

Even Yankees fans can appreciate this.

Hit It Here

Be careful what you wish for when your wish involves Ken Griffey, Jr.

The Music of Baseball

Not nearly as well done as their "Music of Basketball" spot, Nike comes through with a solid baseball version.

One thing about Nike's baseball ads—they keep it simple and let the game do the talking, which is a nice change from dialogue-heavy spots.

Hammertime

A 2011 commercial for the Oakland A's featuring first-base coach Tye Waller and infielder Adam Rosales promoting the MC Hammer Bobblehead that will be given out at their "80s Turn-Back-the-Clock Game."

Unknown is which unfortunate A's player pulled out the parachute pants.

Setting the Record Straight

ESPN's Karl Ravech gives us his version of how things went down during the "Bloody Sock" game between the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Former Mets GM Steve Phillips plays the part of Curt Schilling, while Peter Gammons takes on the role of Boston manager Terry Francona.

Murder!

SportsCenter anchors Scott Van Pelt and Steve Levy get an education in bat-making from Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward.

The trio is blissfully unaware that the tree from Stanford University is listening in.

How to Wait out a Rain Delay

Stuart Scott spills the beans on ESPN's dirty little secret—the plumbing in Bristol leaves something to be desired.

Forget 007, It's 00Olney

If you thought secret agents only worked for governments, think again—Buster Olney fits the mold.

When he is talking to Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, Olney says "boku no suki na gaiyashu" (僕の好きな外野手), which translated, means "my favorite outfielder."

Not Tonight

A number of San Francisco Giants, including Matt Cain and Buster Posey, try to rescue their friend from having to stay late at work.

Revenge Will Be Ours

From this ESPN ad that aired during the 1995 season, Boston native Eric Bogosian gets into it with Joey Rigano and Vinny Vella, two character actors from where else but New York.

Mustache Contest

SportsCenter anchor Karl Ravech gets a reality check when Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto points out his competition in this year's mustache contest— none other than Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs.

Goodbye Baseball

Nike celebrates Ken Griffey Jr.'s career upon his retirement in June of 2010.

One of the greatest players to ever play the game, we're left asking ourselves "what if?"

What if Junior hadn't gotten injured—how ridiculous would his numbers have been?

The Midges Explained

While many blamed the nearby lakes for the late-game invasion of midges, a gnat-like insect in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, they were not to blame.

No, we find out that the blame lies with former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman John Kruk in this commercial for ESPN's Baseball Tonight.

Wrong Number

Ozzie Guillen wants his closer, Bobby Jenks, to start warming up in the Chicago White Sox bullpen.

Instead of reaching the bullpen, he reaches SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett.

Seizing the Opportunity

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire presents SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick with a special gift.

Patrick takes full advantage of McGwire's generosity.

Meet the Family

Apparently, SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross's family aren't quite the Red Sox fans that he makes them out to be.

Talking Trade

A pair of All-Stars, Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler and Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder are discussing a fantasy baseball trade that would involve both of them and San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum.

Things are progressing until actor Adam Scott makes things weird.

Family Comes First

Mr. Met makes it perfectly clear to Texas Rangers superstar Josh Hamilton that he is none-too-pleased with his performance in the 2009 Home Run Derby.

SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott explains the situation to a confused Hamilton.

What Would a Gamer Do?

Matt Cain offers some friendly advice in this ad for the 2008 San Francisco Giants.

The Shift

A flabbergasted Adam Scott watches as outfielders Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels and B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays made the necessary adjustments when Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard steps to the plate.

You Are What You Eat

SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott helps the Milwaukee Brewers mascots, the Brats, get their lunch.

Party Pooper

Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Bucholz and actor Adam Scott break out into Neil Diamond's classic "Sweet Caroline," which was long ago adopted by the Fenway faithful as their song while watching Sunday Night Baseball with Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher.

Swisher rains on their parade.

A Language All Their Own

Actor Adam Scott tries to get in on the secret language shared by Angels manager Mike Scioscia and outfielder Torii Hunter in this commercial for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Don't Mess with Peter Gammons

Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox learns that there are consequences for not cooperating with ESPN's Peter Gammons in this commercial for Baseball Tonight.

Castles Made of Sand

A clever spot produced by FOX to promote the 2010 All-Star Game in Anaheim.

While the music they selected works well, I can't help but wonder how the ad would have looked if "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix been used instead.

He Never Cheated

Hall-of-Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry swings by the ESPN studios in this commercial for SportsCenter, leaving his indelible mark on everyone and everything he touches.

Running of the Brats

Pamplona, Spain has nothing on Bristol, Connecticut.

Milwaukee's Brats make their second appearance on the list, this time partaking in an ESPN tradition explained to us by SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott.

The Face of Fear

One of the most well-known SportsCenter commercials, San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson explains to SportsCenter anchors Josh Elliot and Jay Harris why everyone should fear the beard.

Represent

TBS brings us an entertaining spot for the 2009 playoffs featuring disc jockeys from each of the cities with a playoff team.

With the DJ's playing off of each other, this comes together pretty seamlessly.

They'll Be Watching

Maybe Manny Ramirez has been a little "off" throughout his career because he's constantly being watched. SportsCenter anchors Jay Harris and Steve Levy are both looking for that next "Manny being Manny" moment.

Catchphrases

SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick's claim that the anchors don't spend time working on their catchphrases is blown out of the water by Seattle's Ken Griffey, Jr. and Patrick's fellow anchor, Kenny Mayne.

Working in the Film Room

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins helps SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt break down film, pointing out the issues with Van Pelt's delivery.

Wally!

The most well-known ad ESPN has produced to-date, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett are having a seemingly innocent conversation about hats when Red Sox mascot Wally strolls by.

Shaking off the Catcher

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza foils a lady's attempts to shake off his signs in this promo for a game between the Dodgers and New York Mets on FOX.

The Secret of the Arch

While Fox is promoting the 2009 All-Star Game being held in St. Louis—the first year where home field advantage in the World Series was directly tied to the final score of the All-Star Game—we find out why people are so drawn to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Now Pitching, the Quarterback

Manager Ron Roenicke and the Milwaukee Brewers brain trust watch a new pitcher, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, get some work in.

Bo Knows

Nike brings us a special moment, one where Kansas City Royals All-Star outfielder Bo Jackson meets Oakland Raiders Pro-Bowl running Back Bo Jackson...and about a dozen other versions of himself.

The late Sonny Bono makes a quick, but great cameo appearance.

Team Unity

One of a few commercials that came out of the San Francisco Giants' "What Would A Gamer Do?" campaign in 2008, mayhem ensues while Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand is at the supermarket.

A Chicken Sighting

You can't have a list of great marketing campaigns in baseball without including an icon of the game, the San Diego Chicken.

Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and his teammates get a quick refresher course from the Chicken in this ad for a series between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.

One More Time

The Yankee Stadium frieze spreads around New York like wildfire as FOX promotes the last All-Star Game to be held at the iconic ballpark in 2008. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez make brief cameo appearances.

The Case of the Missing K's

The letter K is disappearing from spots all over the city of Seattle.

I don't know why, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Mariners starter Felix Hernandez might have something to do with it.