UPDATE - 3/1@3:40PM: Lifeson's son points out in the comments this post at the sportsjournalists.com forum from someone who was at the shoot for the commercial. He describes how cool Geddy was as well as gives some more details about the commercial:

Had a chance to meet an early rock hero of mine last week: Geddy Lee.

All you Rush fans (assuming there are some on the board) might like to know that he couldn't have been a nicer, more gracious, down-to-earth, good humored guy. It was a shoot for ESPN fantasy baseball -- Geddy's a HUGE, lifelong baseball fan, and it's a rock-themed baseball commercial, hence his inclusion -- w/ a bizarro cast of Peter Gammons, John Kruk, Gary Sheffield, Buster Olney, Bronson Arroyo (who also has some serious musical chops), Joe Borowski, Jennie Finch, Billy the Marlin, two hot "dancers", Carlos Lee and his distant Canadian cousin (as the two of them joked) Geddy, who was a kid in a candy store with the players and writers. He really knows his baseball, too, and more than held his own talking shop with the ESPN guys, even Gammons (who was a true gentleman, and another hero of mine). Geddy was scheduled to give us a couple hours -- tops -- and stayed about 12, recording lyrics and bass lines for the original music, making sure we had everything we needed from him, afterwards signing a zillion pics, DVDs, CDs, etc. for fellow cast members, crew, everyone. Just a great, great dude -- in fact, the whole cast couldn't have been cooler or un-"diva"-like, all of them staying well beyond their allotted times, all interested in the process & having fun with it.

Anyway, just felt it was worth mentioning here since many stars these days (as you sports journalism pros know better than anyone) can be miles from accommodating...and I thought you Rush fans would get a kick out of hearing about Geddy, especially with their new album/tour around the corner.

--- snip ---

It's certainly no secret to Rush fans that Geddy Lee is an avid baseball fan so this news probably won't come as a big surprise. Veteran sports television and radio talk authority Jim Rome has a show on ESPN called Jim Rome is Burning. Last week (Friday, Feb. 23rd I think) he interviewed Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo. During the interview Arroyo mentioned that he was doing the interview during a break from shooting an ESPN commercial with some other players and Geddy Lee. Jim Rome asked him if Geddy was a baseball fan. Arroyo said that he thought he was and that he remembers seeing him behind home plate in Toronto a lot. Interesting. I couldn't find any more info on when this commercial might air but my guess is just prior to when baseball season starts, which would be later next month. So keep your eyes out for it. Many thanks to reader Doug J for spotting this.

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