A Senior Prom for senior citizens

What started as a joke between Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria in a Pepsi commercial has taken on a life of its own.

A commercial promoting the Pepsi Refresh Project, a charity devoted to funding ideas through an online vote, shows Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria talking to Detroit Tigers designated hitter Johnny Damon about his charitable idea:

“Senior prom for senior citizens,” Longoria says to the Tigers slugger.
“I don’t know about that one,” Damon replies.



It is funny to note that the Rays play in St. Petersburg, which is sometimes referred to as “Heaven’s Waiting Room” because of its large population of retirees.

But the Rays really did it.

The promotion for the Rays/Rangers game at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 18) is billed as Senior Prom for Senior Citizens. It features: former sportscaster Dick Crippen as the emcee, a crowning of the king and queen before the game, an Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonator and the chance to dance on the field after the game in the “Senior Center Field Shuffle.” Tickets start at $10.

But wait... no corsage giveaway before the game?

However, the Rays do have another idea to compete with other Major League Baseball teams for a $200,000 grant.

Voting ends tonight (Aug. 17) for the Rays officials idea to “work with Moffitt Cancer Center to promote cancer awareness and provide education to kids about making healthy choices.”