Fred McGriff's Career in TelevisionIn 1991, while playing for the San Diego Padres, Fred McGriff was asked by scout/baseball instructor Tom Emanski to endorse the new "Tom Emanski's Defensive Drills" video. Neither Emanski nor McGriff expected the commercial to achieve the success it did, as it is still aired on ESPN over a decade later. In fact, this ranks among the longest running sports commercials ever. Although Fred McGriff has played for six teams over the last 18 years, the uniform fans may remember most is the outfit McGriff wore for the production of the Tom Emanski commercial. Between the shirt and cap (both supplied by Emanski's company "Baseball World") and the pink wristband, Fred McGriff certainly attained a look that will not be soon forgotten.
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Fred in Uniform
"I think that could be the ugliest cap I've ever seen in my life. And the way it sits up on top of his head like it's about to blow off? Whew." ~Dodgers Teammate Ron Coomer |
The Defensive Drills
One of the most famous scenes in the history of commercials for sports related products. You can see this aired almost daily on ESPN and affiliate networks. |
The Man Behind it All
Tom Emanski himself. Tom initially met Fred McGriff during the winter of 1981, when McGriff was playing in the Puerto Rican winter league. Ten years later, Fred McGriff had blossomed into a Major League superstar, and was chosen to endorse Tom's new instructional video. |
