DETROIT - As the 2012 baseball season begins, Chevrolet is getting help from a Detroit Tiger who knows a good pitch and his power-hitting teammate to reprise one of the most memorable and beloved ads in the brand's 100-year history.

Two of three 15-second ads were scheduled to debut Wednesday on ESPN during the Opening Night game. They recall the classic 1974 "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet" TV ad. Detroit Tigers pitcher and 2011 American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and first baseman Prince Fielder, signed as a free agent by Detroit in the off season, star in the ads.

Chevrolet has been the "Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball™" since 2005, and, with its dealers, has helped sponsor youth baseball at the grassroots level since 2006 through the Chevrolet Youth Baseball program, and community baseball field makeovers through the Diamonds & Dreams program since 2010.

The spots were created by Spike DDB, headed by filmmaker Spike Lee.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality.www.chevrolet.com.