American actor Rob McElhenney stars in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) latest spot promoting its London Series.
“Rob McElhenney needs to make a choice: Bryce Harper or Chase Utley?” is a 90-second advert that features the two MLB greats mentioned.
While Utley has already retired and is considered a legendary second baseman, Philadelphia Phillies’ Harper is still out in the field today as one of the best first basemen in the league.
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The spot opens with the title, “The Bryceman Cometh,” using a font that fans of the critically acclaimed TV series “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” would recognize anywhere, as well as its iconic theme song.
We see Utley and Harper, with the latter opening up to the former about his problem with an overzealous fan writing him a bunch of letters.
Utley immediately recognizes who sent the letters through the signature stickers and writing pattern, telling The Bryceman that he’ll handle it.
“The Man” then proceeds to talk to McElhenney via phone call, hilariously confronting him like how a wife would a cheating husband.
It’s just a fling!#LondonSeriespic.twitter.com/AGvvXiez99
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) May 31, 2024
"Having a catch with Bryce in London doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s like a fling. I’m flinging the ball to Bryce in London,” McElhenney explains.
But Utley would have none of it, telling McElhenney that he has to choose between him and Harper.
The spot ends with a cliffhanger, calling on everyone to find out McElhenney choice by tuning in to the Mets vs. Phillies games during the MLB World Tour: London Series on June 8 and 9.
Behind McElhenney, Utley, and Harper’s Love Triangle
The spot is based on the popular sitcom “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where McElhenney plays Mac, Utley’s hardcore fan who writes him tons of letters.
Created by McElhenney in 2005, “It's Always Sunny” has become the longest-running live-action sitcom in the U.S. at 16 seasons, and Mac’s “relationship” with his baseball idol has gone from the small screen popularity to real life.
Utley replied to Mac’s letters five years after, while it took 13 years for the two to play catch in person during a Phillies game in 2019.
Ever since then, McElhenney and Utley have become friends, even watching NFL games with their wives.
But it was also in the same year when McElhenney retweeted a photo of Harper with a caption that follows the pattern of Mac’s letters to Utley, seemingly finding a new "love interest."
Hey Bryce- i feel like i can call you Bryce because we are so much alike. Wanna have a catch? https://t.co/DzZQbzfk8r
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) March 11, 2019
And this is where the “love triangle” comes from, which MLB capitalizes on in this new spot.
Coincidentally (or not), Utley is now MLB's ambassador in Europe and is based in London, while McElhenney, who co-owns soccer club AFC Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds, spends a lot of time in Wales.
The two have been reported to be spending more time together.
However, Harper’s presence in London as he plays for the Phillies may just spell trouble for the McElhenney and Utley ship.
