Maytag® Brand Cleans Up with New Deal as Official Washer and Dryer of Major League Baseball

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., July 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

About Maytag Brand    
For more than a century, Maytag brand appliances have been synonymous with dependability and durability. For over 100 years- Maytag brand has an enduring tradition of quality production and powerful performance. Durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag® front-load and top-load washers and dryers. Maytag brand also offers a full range of kitchen appliances - Maytag® dishwashers with the PowerBlast® cycle, Maytag® refrigerators with the Powercold® option, as well as Maytag brand ranges, cooktops and ovens with Power™ burner and Power™ element options. In January 2014, the Maytag brand introduced America to the Maytag Man – a dependable machine and the human embodiment of the durability, reliability and power inside all Maytag brand appliances. In addition to creating durable appliances, Maytag brand also is a dependable partner to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in their effort to support communities across America and help young people achieve great futures.  For more information about Maytag brand, please visit Maytag.com, or find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Maytag, Twitter at @MaytagBrand or @TheMaytagMan and Instagram at instagram.com/Maytag.

About Major League Baseball    
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and the last decade includes all 10 of the best-attended individual seasons by fans in MLB history, with each regular season eclipsing the 73 million mark. Now led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport's larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball's business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America's National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at BGCA's Facebook and Twitter.

¹ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Enter by 10/19/15. Open to legal residents of fifty (50) U.S. and DC who are of legal age of majority in their jurisdiction (and at least 18 years of age) at the time of entry. Seventeen (17) prizes will be awarded. Enter online only.  Limit one (1) entry per person/Twitter account/Facebook/household per Entry Period. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules, which govern, for odds disclosures, drawing dates and complete details. Visit MLB.com/Maytag for official sweepstakes rules.

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