U.S. looking at Dice-K’s beer commercials

Does Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka have a drinking problem? Apparently, the U.S. Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade bureau (what no firearms?) is looking at an ad that shows the gyroballer actually drinking the beer he’s advertising. Dice-K’s possible binging tendencies are one thing. (In one shot, he’s taking a sip. Then, a second later, the entire pint is gone. I couldn’t even do that in my best days in college.) More pressing, it seems, is the U.S. ban on showing sports stars imbibing on TV while either playing or getting ready to play a game, or implying that alcohol can enhance one’s athletic ability (unless the sport is Rock, Paper, Scissors). Now, this ad aired in Japan, but thanks to YouTube and the Internet, everyone can see it. People are up in arms about the U.S. government’s overreaching. But I think it’s good to nip things in the bud (so to speak) before we see Rafael Palmiero popping a Viagra and showing us the results. Via Reason magazine.

—Posted by Aaron Baar

February 16, 2007 | Permalink