I’ve seen this commercial any number of times and every time I see it, I absolutely love it. It’s not just that I’m a Pedroia fan (but I do love the kid, his attitude, and the way he plays the game).
And the “laser show” reference is a great moment in an athlete dealing with the press – and backing up his teammate. (For those not in the know, a year or two ago, Pedroia was asked about David “Big Papi” Ortiz’s early season hitting struggles. Pedroia had clearly had enough – and he disdains the press to a certain extent as it is – and here was his response. It spawned the “laser show” nickname, t-shirts, and phenomenon.)
All that aside, though, it’s not Pedroia that makes the commercial great, in my mind. It’s the setting – and the setup. The way the commercial captures the essence of being a sports fan. It could have been set in any city. Make it Philly and the star is Shane Victorinho and it’s a different sandwich, and maybe a slightly different restaurant, but almost nothing else changes. Or make it Chicago, and instead of them referring to the “Esposito” (a brilliant allusion to #7, by the way) they say “That’s why it’s on the Pippen.” Or the Jordan. And on and on.
The essence of the commercial is that grown men are sitting around discussing naming a sandwich after a certain player; and deciding that he’s “earned” the right to get on the proprietor’s menu with the rest of the all-time greats. It’s crazy. And yet perfect in capturing a part of American life – and perhaps all life – that has been around as long as sports. I suspect that Greeks sitting in the bath-houses prior to the third Olympiad had a dialogue like this:
Greek 1: “You think Heracles wins the discus again?”
Greek 2: “Does a Spartan sleep on the floor?”
Greek 1: “Meh. I like that young kid Theonidas. He’s got an arm. Strong as a minotaur, too.”
Greek 2: “You wanna put a goat on it? My boy Heracles throws it like he’s Zeus himself. I’ll spot you 12 Aeginian feet and Heracles still wins. They don’t call him the Arm of the Aegean for nothing. Brother can chuck it. In fact, make it two goats.”
Greek 1: “You keep blaspheming and we’re both going to have to pay Charon to get across the Styx.”
Greek 2: “Put your goats where your mouth is, chump.”
It’s what makes sport, all sport, great. It is the only real “Reality TV”. And with none of the bad hairdos, contrived fights, and irrelevance necessary to make one feel better about their own life.
Nope, give me the “Laser Show” any day of the week… but don’t include capicola on it.