Randy Johnson Makes a 'Bird Ballpark' in New DirecTV Ad

DirecTV has cast MLB legend Randy Johnson in an inventive new ad promoting its new satellite-free service. 

Dubbed the "Bird Ballparks," the 90-second spot kicks off with Johnson telling viewers they can now access DirecTV without a satellite dish but displays concern for the birds. 

Johnson is referencing a moment in 2001 when his fastball killed a flying dove while pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In March 2001 Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson was pitching for the Diamondbacks in a spring training game against the SF Giants when he threw a fastball around 100MPH that hit a dove instantly killing it

Some say he learned from watching my William play at twitch/LockneLIVE pic.twitter.com/kbevczhT09

— Lockne (@LockneLIVE) October 14, 2022

To give them a safe space, "The Big Unit" repurposes satellite dishes and turns them into miniature baseball stadiums for his feathered friends to perch in. 

Johnson hits his shed and begins the construction of the bird ballpark, sawing wood and gluing baseball player figurines, including a "Tiny Unit" statue, onto the scaled-down stadium.

 

 

 

 

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To close the spot, the former professional baseball player shakes hands with a bird, having made DirecTV the perfect platform for them to comfortably enjoy baseball on TV.

Win a Free Bird Ballpark

To add to the hype of the campaign, the video programming company is giving fans a chance to win their very own Bird Ballpark and Johnson's Millet Mullet by entering a sweepstakes on its microsite.

Made together with creative agency TBWA\Chiat\Day LA, the latest from DirecTV serves as a continuation of its "For the Birds" campaign launched last February, which also promoted its satellite-free option.

It came with a series of spots starring two birds, Bobby and Frankie, often arguing over the disappearance of the satellite dish. 

Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang