Industry-first partnership searches for Filthiest Plays of the Week; In Stadium promotion offers chance for Maytag to donate $1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs

Maytag brand and Major League Baseball today announced an all-new partnership which designates Maytag as the official washer and dryer of MLB in 2015, for the first time in company and league history.

Maytag and MLB will collaborate throughout the remainder of the 2015 season to bring fans new programs that enhance their connection to America’s national pastime, with a focus on Maytag laundry appliances designed, engineered and assembled in America. The partnership launches today with the “Filthiest Plays of the Week,” where Maytag and MLB will ask fans nationwide to vote to determine the filthiest play in baseball each week. Additionally, the newest Maytag Top Load Washer – which fittingly has the power to clean the filthiest stains no matter how hard plays are on the field – will be installed in four ballparks throughout the country, offering ball players a chance to hit a home run into the machine and trigger a $1 million donation to local area Boys & Girls Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a long standing partner of Maytag’s, as an official charitable partner of the MLB.

To announce this industry-first partnership, Maytag has teamed up with MLB legend and Hall of Famer, Barry Larkin, to announce “Filthiest Plays of the Week.” Larkin’s 19 professional years of sliding, diving and “filthy” play abilities make him a fitting partner for Maytag, an iconic American brand known for powerful, dependable and best-in-industry cleaning abilities.

“Maytag laundry appliances are better built because they are designed, engineered and assembled in America and it only made sense to have a partner like MLB that draws heavily on its American heritage,” says Brendan Bosch, Maytag senior brand manager. “With players and staff who emulate the same pillars of reliability and durability that our brand values, Major League Baseball and Maytag are a perfect fit to work together this season and connect with some of America’s most dedicated fans.”

“We are thrilled to bring Maytag into our family of sponsors,” said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Business. “We look forward to working together with Maytag to reach our passionate fan base with innovative and engaging programs this season.”

Maytag Brand “Filthiest Plays of the Week”

As the official washer and dryer of MLB, Maytag is searching for the “Filthiest Plays of the Week.” Starting today and through the Postseason, MLB and Maytag will select three particularly “filthy” plays from the week’s games. Fans have the power to decide their favorite by visiting MLB.com/Maytag to watch the week’s top plays, then voting via Twitter using the #FilthiestPlay hashtag. By voting, fans will be entered into a weekly sweepstakes for MLB prizes. There will be a grand prize to win a special trip for two to a 2015 World Series game, plus a Maytag Top Load Washer and Dryer pair.1 Follow Maytag on Twitter and Instagram for more ways that fans can engage with the Filthiest Plays of the Week promotion.

“Throughout my career, I have always strived to be a player who gave 100% for my team, even if that meant getting a little dirty sometimes,” says Larkin, MLB Hall of Famer and 12-time All-Star. “Maytag has an extensive history of dependability, durability and American pride, all things I stood for as a player, making them the ideal partner for our national pastime and sponsor of the ‘Filthiest Plays of the Week.’”

Million Dollar Home Run

In addition to the national MLB partnership, Maytag has also teamed up with four MLB teams – the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. At each of the four ballparks, a Maytag Top Load Washer will be installed in the bullpen or outfield stands and remain in place for the rest of the regular season and the Postseason. If a player, either from the home or visiting team, hits a home run and the ball lands inside the washer, Maytag will donate $1 million to the local Boys & Girls Clubs in that city.

In conjunction with the MLB partnership announcement, Maytag has launched a full-scale integrated marketing and advertising campaign, its first in 2015. The campaign includes a national television advertisement featuring Maytag employees and the Maytag Man that will first air during the All-Star Game.

For more information, visit Maytag.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visualize how Maytag appliances fit in your home with a new mobile tool by visiting BringMaytagHome.com.