Take Me Out To The Ball Game…Take Me Out For The Schwag

May 16, 2009

By Phil Hecken, joined by Brinke Guthrie

Today, I’m joined by Brinke Guthrie, who’s probably more familiar to you as “=bg=” and who’ll be assisting me with the first portion of today’s post. We’re going to look at some of the promotions that good old MLB will be doing this season. And so, I now turn the floor over to Brinke:

The MLB season is motoring right along, and some things never change. (Mets in first, poised for the September nosedive; Pirates in the cellar.) As the season rolls on, we see more and more great giveaways at the parks. Tomorrow afternoon is Lou Brock Statue Day in St. Louis, and tomorrow night is the sold-out Tim Lincecum Bobble Night over at AT&T Park. (I try to avoid night games there — it can get quite chilly.) Jon Miller Bobble night is in August, and I will be there for that. It will at least be above freezing. Maybe.

Around the league, get yourself an Adam Jones Bobble (featuring dynamic bubble gum action) June 17th at Camden Yards.

June 20th is the Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati and that gets you a “1964 Frank Robinson Mesh Jersey,” but it won’t be quite that authentic ’cause this one will come branded with a soft drink logo.

Oakland’s got a 1989 Mark McGwire World Series Replica Jersey for you on June 22; (and no, it’s not sponsored by a pharmaceutical firm);

Get yourself a Beanie Baby called “Rally Doodle Dandy” on July 2nd in Anaheim..and Mini-Flag Day on July 4th in D.C. (Will they put a sponsor logo on Old Glory? Stay tuned.)

July 30th in Arlington means Texas Rangers cap night (what, no two-tone helmet night?);

The New York Mets have a Citi Field Ballpark Replica day set for August 23rd, and be sure to say hi to the lone guy with the goatee picketing with the “I’m Calling It Shea” sign;

…and the poor Marlins promo staff will be on their knees by the All-Star Game as it appears they have something every night.

Thanks Brinke! He and I will be back next weekend for our look at the French Open. By the way, if you’re really into the bobble heads, I hope you’ll be ordering one from Robert Marshall — but even if you’re not — here’s the schedule for the bobble head days for all teams.

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The Preakness Stakes takes place today at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Not nearly as famous as the Kentucky Derby, which always takes place two weeks prior, this one is nicknamed the “Race for the Black-Eyed Susans,” because, well, the winning horse receives a blanket of the State Flower of Maryland. Race-goers still wear funny hats, usually in the theme of the black-eyed susan, and the winner still strikes a pose. Most jockeys and bettors hope to see this pose, which while it could mean victory, usually means the rider has locked up the first two legs of the triple crown. This year, the beautiful gelding named “Mine That Bird” hopes to take the second leg. Post time is approximately 6:05 EDT, and the race will carried by the Peacock.

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Oh, those candelas: As you no doubt know by now, Paul & Kirsten’s exhibit, The Candela Structures: A New York City History Mystery, will open at the City Reliquary this Saturday (opening reception: 7pm) and will be on view at least until June 28th. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with this, be sure to check yesterday’s post for full details.

Although I won’t likely be at the opening, I will be sure to check it out at some point during the run. As most of you know, I’m both an avid Mets fan and a fan of tennis, so between my trips to Shea and the National Tennis Center, I’ve been in the general locale where the remaining candelas are located at least 100 times. And, while waiting for games to begin, tennis to start, or just near the World’s Fair site (I live less than 10 miles away), I’ve also had the occasion to spend a bunch of time in that area. In this nifty overhead shot you can get a sense of the proximity of the World’s Fair Site, Shea Stadium and the National Tennis Center. If you look north (top of the pic), you’ll see Flushing Bay, and that’s where the candelas are located. (Here’s a better perspective.) The candelas are located approximately where the red star on this map appears.

So, I’ve actually seen the structures Paul & Kirsten are “exhibiting.” And I’ve honestly been fascinated with them ever since I first saw them, so when Paul first said he and Kirsten were looking into a project detailing the candela structures, I was very excited, both for them and personally. Can’t wait to visit the exhibit, and I hope any of you in the NYC area can either pay them a visit tonight, or check out the exhibit if you’re in the area.

Good luck to you guys! I’m sure the exhibit will be awesome, the opening will be a blast, many of you UWers can get to see it. Or at least visit the website. Or something.

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Stirrup Nation (TM) : With the relative plethora of stirrup-clad major leaguers, (including some not quite ready for the show), is it now possible to field an “All Stirrup Team? Just this past week, we welcomed two new members into Stirrup Nation (TM). With the new additions, combined with the old standbys, plus the younger members, there’s gotta be a full, stirrup-clad team out there, no? See if you guys can find a full team of position players and pitchers who rock the old school look, and we’ll put ’em in the UW Hosiery Hall of Fame, 2009 edition. List your nominees by position (1B, 2B, SS, etc.) and let’s see if we can’t cover the bases (pun firmly intended) for this most auspicious honor. If we can’t find a stirrup-rocking player whose primary position is included in the starting nine (plus relievers and bench players), let’s move one into that spot or see who’s down in the minors just waiting for the call up. Can we do it?

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This and That: As the “look at the AFL legacy uniform” series continues, we take a look at the 1960 Houston Oilers and the 1963 San Diego Chargers and the 1963 Boston Patriots and the 1961 New York Titans … For those of you fortunate to have been to the Baseball Hall of Fame, I salute you; for those of you (like myself) who have not yet been, the village of Cooperstown is getting hot … Although I’m not a fan of any alternate jersey, I gotta admit, the Texas Texases are growing on me … You might think that white frat boys in rebel uniforms and sorority chicks in hoop skirts would raise some eyebrows, prompting those organizing the event to discontinue it due to possible insensitivity — but you’d be wrong … The Yankees did find one taker for those $2,500 seats … wait — make it two … Hmmm — Deep-fried Twinkies, jars of moonshine and kegerators set up in the backs of recreational vehicles aren’t just the trappings of a modern-day NASCAR race weekend — they’re evidence of a hidden past — in fact, “It’s almost a direct carryover from the Middle Ages.” … Can we please get the visiting team to wear white on Friday nights in ~~Skydome~~ Rogers Centre? — and this is why throwbacks just don’t look good in 2009 — if you’re NOT going to rock them properly, just don’t wear ’em … In hockey-ish news, the price of putting an oversized jersey on the “Spirit of Detroit” just got a lot more reasonable … After all their miscues this season, Ryan Zimmerman tips his cap to the equipment manager for not screwing up his uniform … This is VERY interesting (and we may have discussed something like this before) — Check out these Wristbands. They’re all part of some newfangled signaling technique for college types — The full story is here … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments (from Teebz): The Abbotsford AHL franchise now has a name. And it’s closely related to the Flames. Your newest AHL relocation is now the Abbotsford Heat. Miami residents have no comment. … Also from yesterday’s comments (from Squiddie): There’s an article in the Times that Jack Kerouac used to play a fantasy baseball game of his own design and that he created his own teams named after makes of cars. There’s a slideshow with his team cards and other paraphernalia. … “Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don’tcha think?” … Not quite sports related, but interesting: a new uniform fitted with in-built tourniquets that could save lives and limbs is being tested by the British Army — apparently the US already has and uses this technology … “This is for last night, Kate” … Belle Fourche hopes to field a team in the Black Hills Youth Football League that would have 6- through 8-year-olds playing in NFL team uniforms — that’s right 6 & 8 YO’s in NFL unis … New PT uniform gets the go-ahead — No more MC Hammer jokes … Isn’t there some kind of rule that says you can’t wear blue sleeves if the rest of the team wears black? … Brinke checks in with this gem: just when you thought Nike’s couldn’t get any uglier — they did … I’ll be the first to admit I know next to nothing about NASCAR (although this is a truck) but this can’t be good … As a follow up to many of yesterday’s comments, here’s a Fighting Sioux timeline … From the UW gold “Natinals” episode, to miserable attendance and tv ratings, the Washingtn ball club can’t seem to do anything right … “Oh…you want a look?” — Obama meets Phillies and all he gets is this stupid t-shirt … NO! NO! NO! You’re doing it wrong! … Did Bret Favre already sign with the Vikes? Cuz if you read this article, it sounds like a done deal … And speaking of Minnesota sports, the Twins new ballpark will have rooftop seating … The Bird Gets It (TM)!

Being an official scorer has it’s rewards — UW’s Larry Wiederecht (“Lwiedy”) posed this question to David Holtzman, of the Royals Media Relations: “This year’s guide has Royals’ steals of home listed on page 189. I believe on August 20, 1973 vs. New York , Cookie Rojas & Fred Patek executed a double steal with Patek scoring. I recalled seeing this game and did a little poking on Retrosheet to confirm. Perhaps there is a scoring issue with this play that would exclude it from consideration but I could not think of what it would be.” To which Mr. Holtzman replied: “I looked this up and it does appear we’ve missed that steal of home. We will add it to the guide for next season.” Pretty cool, Larry. Freddie owes you a coke.

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Have a wonderful Saturday everyone.

Comments (68)

Phil,

The link won’t let me see what the bird gets…

how about now?

I’ve ingested far too much candelas and I must go lie down.

Fun fact: No winner of the Preakness has ever received a blanket of black eyed susans as BESs are not in season until 2 months later. Usually they are painted daisies every one pretends are BESs.

Everyday with a Freddie Patek reference is a good day.

Some of the more interesting bobbleheads shown on that schedule page:

link (shouldn’t he be portrayed as some kind of anthropomorphic horse rather than holding a hobbyhorse?)