Chico's Bail Bonds presents Player of the Week

Dodgers outfielder was named National League player of the week. Here's the opening paragraph from the press release:

Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named Bank of America
Presents the National League Player of the Week for the period ending May 4th.
Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, is the presenting
sponsor of the National League and American League Player of the Week
Awards, which reflect Bank of America's long-standing tradition of promoting and
recognizing higher standards of accomplishment.

I'm happy for the Dodgers' Matt Kemp. After a bumpy start -- the Dodgers are rotating four outfielders among the three positions -- Kemp is playing outstanding offense and defense. He's still one of the worst base-runners I've ever seen but that's a small detail for someone to learn... after playing the game for 10-15 years.

But, "Bank of America Presents..." Not only that, the PR release then mentions the bank two more times in the opening paragraph. I'm sure that is a negotiated deal point.

For 40 years I survived with the award merely being called the "National League Player of the Week." I hadn't realized how shallow it all was without the imprimatur of one of the biggest corporations in the world. Thankfully, the award is now that much more impressive!

I was listening to a game the other night when the aforementioned Kemp was picked off of first base. The "caught stealing" was sponsored by an alarm company. As in, "Kemp is picked off of first base. That will kill the rally. This 'caught stealing' is brought to you by [some LA based home alarm company."

I had gotten used to the "calls to the bullpen" (relief pitcher is coming in) sponsored by a cell company. Back when I was a young fan listening to the games on the radio players were awarded "$50 of Union Oil auto-script" when they hit a home run.

Corporate sponsorship isn't a new idea. But, it is everywhere. Seriously, pay the players less, pay the owners less, lower the cost of food, beer, parking, and souvenirs and get rid of sponsoring everything.

When the Dodgers have "Chico's Bail Bonds" (image) on the backs of their uniforms we will have crossed a point of no return.

This message was not sponsored by anyone.