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October 28, 2010

Winter Baseball’s “Botaron la Pelota” Features Exclusive Music-video Styled Theme Song

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ESPN Deportes teamed up with music giants Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Ventura to kick off the network’s 2010 Winter Baseball coverage. Inspired by the 1990s popular tropical song, “Botaron la Pelota,” by Gilberto Santa Rosa, the two colossal stars come together to remake exclusive music videos as part of ESPN Deportes’ marketing campaign to promote the coverage of winter baseball that kicks off with the coverage of the Dominican Baseball League Nov. 5.

Every November as the Major League Baseball season comes to a close, ESPN Deportes kicks off exclusive coverage of winter baseball from the Dominican Republic where the sport is king and its people have music running through their veins. This year’s marketing campaign, dubbed “Botaron La Pelota,” culturally connects the network with Hispanic baseball fans in the U.S. through two legendary superstars who embody Caribbean music.

“We are honored to have the participation of Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Ventura as the faces behind our winter baseball coverage,” said Michelle Bella, VP, consumer and ad sales for ESPN Deportes. “This is another example of our continued efforts to identify with our Spanish-speaking audience and it shows our commitment to bring the type of sports coverage and programming that is relevant to Hispanics”

This was the first time the duo collaborated with the ESPN brand.

“It was a wonderful experience to take part in the video shoot alongside my colleague and friend Johnny Ventura,” said Gilberto Santa Rosa. “I’m confident that Latino audiences who tune into ESPN Deportes will enjoy the videos, which will get them excited about the upcoming winter baseball league.”

Added Johnny Ventura, “It was an honor to collaborate with an artist like Gilberto Santa Rosa, and a privilege to have been selected to work with a prestigious brand like ESPN Deportes. This opportunity allowed me to work with a great group of professional staff, which will surely deliver a final product that we can all be proud of.”

The creative campaign is designed to attract both avid and casual baseball fans to watch winter baseball from ‘back home’ no matter their destination in the U.S. The campaign and videos roll out next week across all ESPN Deportes’ platforms – television, print, radio and online – and includes geo-targeted out-of-home executions in key U.S. Hispanic markets including Los Angeles, New York, and Texas.

For photos of “Botaron La Pelota” click here: http://espnmediazone3.com/rs/?c=1980&k=ddca845fc4 

ESPN Deportes coverage of the Dominican Republic baseball kicks off with the game between Tigres del Licey vs. Aguilas Cibaeñas Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. EST. The network’s exclusive winter league baseball coverage continues through February 2011 with the Caribbean World Series live coverage from Puerto Rico.

This year’s winter baseball league commentators include:

Commentator Lineup

Kevin Cabral, play-by-play commentator

One of the most respected sportscasters in the Dominican Republic, Cabral returns for his fourth consecutive season of the Dominican Baseball League. Cabral started his broadcasting career in 1983 as the host of the radio program Frente al Deporte. In 1986, he began what would become an 18-year stint as a television commentator and announcer for Major League Baseball games on the regional channel Circuito del Cibao.

Carlos Jose Lugo, sideline reporter

Lugo brings vast baseball knowledge and nearly 20 years of broadcasting experience in radio, television and print media to his role as field reporter for ESPN Deportes’ telecasts of the Dominican Baseball League. Lugo launched his broadcasting career in 1987 as an MLB analyst on Radio Dial in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. He is a familiar voice on radio, known for his work as a sports commentator and MLB analyst for 103-FM, Radio Continental and Radio Clarín, and Rumba FM (98.5).

Juan Marichal, analyst

San Francisco Giants great and Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal returns for his fourth consecutive winter baseball season. Marichal, the only Dominican-born player in the Hall of Fame, started his career with Dominican League’s Leones del Escogido. The high-kicking right-hander made his Major League Baseball debut against the Phillies in 1960, finishing his first game with a one-hitter, striking out 12 in a 2-0 victory. Marichal won 243 games, was named to nine All-Star teams and was named the All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player in 1965.

Ernesto Jerez, play-by-play commentator

A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Jerez joined ESPN in 1995 as a baseball announcer and has become the signature voice for the company’s Spanish-language Major League Baseball games. He primarily serves as game announcer during ESPN’s Spanish-language Sunday Night Baseball telecasts. Known to viewers for his famous home run call, he also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPNdeportes.com.

2010-2011 Dominican Baseball Schedule on ESPN Deportes:

The Dominican Baseball League consists of six teams: Águilas Cibaeñas; Azucareros del Este; Estrellas Orientales; Gigantes del Cibao; Leones del Escogido; and Tigres del Licey. Each team plays a 50-game schedule, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The titleholder then goes on to represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series. The games are televised as follows:

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