What's in a Name?

A couple of Chicago Cubs -- Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant -- are participating in the Home Run Derby today during the All Star Game festivities.  

The thing is, I wasn't quite accurate in saying that.  The actual name of the contest is -- "The Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders."

No, really.

I'm going to guess that Gillette came first, since they've been a sponsor of baseball since around the time of Babe Ruth.  And the placement of their name in the title suggests it.  But, guys, how weak does Gillette's contract have to be that they couldn't even retain naming right??  For a long-ball hitting contest?!!

Perhaps next year we'll have Taco Bell's Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, a Coca Cola first-pitch sponsorship.

Actually, quips aside, even the exact title this year isn't as far as things are with the corporate naming rights, because if you really wanted to go all out and tell the whole event in full, it's the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, played at Great American Ballpark, a division of Great American Financial Group.


Play Ball...!