The Chevrolet Silverado "Strong" ad campaign is already pretty tacky, but it was about to get a lot worse until someone at reddit posted what was planned for game 5 of the World Series.
A redditor posted the photo up top of what was a rehearsal for the part that was going to take place at Busch Stadium. According to Boston Magazine, people at Chevy caught wind of the internet backlash that was happening even before the game and decided to avert a total marketing catastrophe.
Silverado Strong sounds a lot like Boston Strong, a phrase popularized following the Boston Marathon bombing in April and used in connection to raise money for the victims and their families. The term "B Strong" was then used by the Red Sox – it's emblazoned on the field at Fenway and you'll see it again and again tomorrow night.
This is what the MLB said was going to happen in the "Chevrolet in-game moment":
Leading into the top of the 3rd, Ozzie Smith will recognize Chevrolet's commitment to growing youth baseball in a video played on the scoreboard. He will prompt fans in attendance to hold up placards in front of them, which will unveil an image of the words "Silverado Strong," Chevrolet's theme for the launch of the all-new 2014 Silverado, with the Chevrolet and MLB silhouetted batter logos on either side. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2013 World Series will receive a youth baseball field makeover in a U.S. location of their choice and a 2014 Silverado High Country. This is a continuation of Chevrolet's year-long SILVERADO STRONG campaign. For more information, fans can visit ChevyBaseball.com.
Chevy probably thought it was a good idea to align the Silverado with what it thinks is a baseball-related phrase. There's a growing group of Bostonians who will readily admit that Boston Strong has been worn pretty thin thanks in part to its strong association with the Red Sox. For Chevy's sake, there's a good reason to stay far away from that fight.
How Reddit Killed A Tacky Chevy World Series Blunder Before It Aired