Mariners unveil latest set of commercials
Fans encouraged to vote for favorite of four new spots
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Robinson Cano was the star of the show for the Mariners most of last season. This year he's the star of his own commercial as the Mariners released their TV promotional spots for the 2017 season on Wednesday.
Fans can view the four commercials and vote for their favorite on Mariners.com.
• Vote now
Cano's spot is a takeoff on the opening of "Saturday Night Live," with the seven-time All-Star second baseman preparing for a nightly prime-time performance at Safeco Field.
Felix Hernandez also has his own humorous bit, a tribute to the "Happy Felix Day" routine celebrated by fans every time the King takes the mound.
Nelson Cruz and teammate Kyle Seager collaborate on a commercial that tips a hat to Cruz's strenuous workout routine, while the fourth commercial is a collaborative effort featuring Seager, Leonys Martin and Mike Zunino working on innovative ways to celebrate a home run, with commentary from coaches Tim Bogar and Casey Candaele as well as another cameo appearance by Mariners Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez.
"They always do a good job, always creative," said Zunino. "We always get a good laugh out of them."
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Manager Scott Servais had his players watch the spots in a morning meeting at the same time they were unveiled to the public.
"The Mariners' marketing PR group does as good of a job as anybody in baseball at getting our fans connected to the players, and they did another good job this year," said Servais.
The skipper's personal favorite is the Cruz commercial.
"He wasn't working on basestealing. It was all about the home run trot," Servais said with a laugh. "And he's got that one down. He continues to show it well in the [World Baseball Classic], and we're good with seeing that about 45 times this year."
The commercials, which were shot during the first week of Spring Training, were to begin airing during Wednesday afternoon's broadcast of the Mariners-Dodgers Cactus League game at 1:10 p.m. PT on ROOT Sports.
Zunino said the filming for his spot took several hours.
"They have you do something 10-15 times, and you always wonder which one they're going to use," he said. "There's always somebody that has to do something really ridiculous, and it's usually Seager."
As for Zunino's acting future? He didn't take long on that one.
"No, I think I'll pass on that," Zunino said. "I've got the face for radio."