Give It Away Now: Ballpark Promotions 2011

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'm not sure about "bobblehead of the year"-- it's a long year, after all-- but it's a damn fine idea. Moment bobbleheads (think Endy at the wall) are generally jiggly-head-and-shoulders above their kin... so why not something a little more controversial?

This photo of this awesome bobblehead recreation zoomed around the Internet early Friday morning and I initially chalked it up to the work of a very nostalgic artist from the Twin Cities. Though it surfaced on the Minnesota Twins official Facebook page, it seemed like the team couldn't have officially sanctioned a figurine inspired by one of the most controversial plays in World Series history. But wait! The Twins actually did commission this bobbling remembrance of Kent Hrbek lifting Ron Gant off first base during Game 2 of the 1991 World Series. And Michael Rand of the Star Tribune reports that they'll be given away on a date TBA during this 20th anniversary season of that title team.

I would love to see a few more of these. Denkinger and Bartman are okay ideas... but it IS the 25th anniversary and all. Howzabout Mookie jumping a Bob Stanley pitch, or-- if you're feeling a little less family-friendly-- Darling and the gang at Cooter's, or Knight beating the hell out of Eric Davis?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Looks like a sexual assault from that angle.

[racial rabblerousing]Man, if a black guy like Gant pulled that shit on a white guy like Hrbek, there'd be no bottom to the historical hole of infamy he would be consigned to.[/racial rabblerousing]

[ashie62]

On this I agree.

[ashie62]

Oh Lord, I am Krod.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

I still like Ike Davis's Cyclones bobble with the over-the-rail catch!

The Whitecaps here had the Dave Rozema foot bobble. He supposedly kicked a guy who charged the mound once.

[G-Fafif]

Edgy DC wrote: Looks like a sexual assault from that angle. [racial rabblerousing]Man, if a black guy like Gant pulled that shit on a white guy like Hrbek, there'd be no bottom to the historical hole of infamy he would be consigned to.[/racial rabblerousing]

I do have an issue with color here: The bill of Gant's cap should be red, not navy.

That play drove me crazy when it happened. Big bandwagon Braves fan that September and October.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

That looks like Kent Hrbek on crystal meth.

[Fman99]

How about a bobblehead of Cleon Jones plowing a white girl in a parking lot? That'd be mint.

[stevejrogers]

Looks like a sexual assault from that angle. [racial rabblerousing]Man, if a black guy like Gant pulled that shit on a white guy like Hrbek, there'd be no bottom to the historical hole of infamy he would be consigned to.[/racial rabblerousing] I do have an issue with color here: The bill of Gant's cap should be red, not navy. That play drove me crazy when it happened. Big bandwagon Braves fan that September and October.

DAMN IT GREG! SEE WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF IT! SEE WHAT HAPPENED!

THE BLOOD OF THE NEXT DECADE AND A HALF IS ON ALL 1991 BANDWAGON BRAVES FANS' HANDS!

[stevejrogers]

I'm surprised the Mets haven't put their promotions and giveaway schedule yet. I wonder when it goes up.

[Lefty Specialist]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I still like Ike Davis's Cyclones bobble with the over-the-rail catch!

I have one of those and it's awesome. It's a bobble-leg.

[G-Fafif]

Mets announced their promotional schedule, here. One event strikes me as rather gluttonous:

Cap and Hot Dog Eating Contest Presented By Nathan's | First 25,000 Fans

Inviting 25,000 fans to eat caps and hot dogs? Hope it's followed by Tums Day.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Thinking of our fiber?

Another little reason the fanbase might feel a little neglected... the lack of giveaways for your near-league-high price-of-admission.

Compare and contrast.

Hell, even the notoriously promotion-unfriendly Cubs are running nine April promotions.

[Frayed Knot]

Somebody on the radio this morning pointed out that the Mets are holding Latin Appreciation/Jose Reyes Poster Night on August 6th ... one week After the trading deadline.

That could get awkward.

[G-Fafif]

The press release announcing this, uh, bounty declares the Mets are giving away "more than 300,000 items," which assumes 25,000 fans will show up to retrieve the 12 all-ages premiums (plus however many adults come for the Bud-sponsored Reyes banner). However it adds up, what an odd way to put it...unless you're trying to make a number that doesn't mean anything sound significant.

I can't help but wonder if sponsors are backing away from the 'Pons.

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Somebody on the radio this morning pointed out that the Mets are holding Latin Appreciation/Jose Reyes Poster Night on August 6th ... one week After the trading deadline. That could get awkward.

You're right.
But then again this is the team that saluted Mike Jacobs on Jewish Heritage night, then learned he isn't Jewish.
I don't think the rest of the front office will hold off on making a trade because a promotional event has been scheduled. Nor do I think the promotional department checks in with the front office when scheduling an event.

Later

[Ceetar]

MFS62 wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Somebody on the radio this morning pointed out that the Mets are holding Latin Appreciation/Jose Reyes Poster Night on August 6th ... one week After the trading deadline. That could get awkward. You're right. But then again this is the team that saluted Mike Jacobs on Jewish Heritage night, then learned he isn't Jewish. I don't think the rest of the front office will hold off on making a trade because a promotional event has been scheduled. Nor do I think the promotional department checks in with the front office when scheduling an event. Later

That was the Marlins with Jacobs.

If they trade Reyes, no one will be at the park in August anyway to get the poster.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: MFS62 wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Somebody on the radio this morning pointed out that the Mets are holding Latin Appreciation/Jose Reyes Poster Night on August 6th ... one week After the trading deadline. That could get awkward. You're right. But then again this is the team that saluted Mike Jacobs on Jewish Heritage night, then learned he isn't Jewish. I don't think the rest of the front office will hold off on making a trade because a promotional event has been scheduled. Nor do I think the promotional department checks in with the front office when scheduling an event. Later That was the Marlins with Jacobs. If they trade Reyes, no one will be at the park in August anyway to get the poster.

It's looking like nobody might be at the park even if they keep Reyes.

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Ceetar wrote: If they trade Reyes, no one will be at the park in August anyway to get the poster. It's looking like nobody might be at the park even if they keep Reyes.

A couple of people have reported that they're doing "not bad" with ticket sales.

Doubt they're going to sell 3.5 million of 'em, but I'd guess July-early August is probably one of the higher attendance periods regardless.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: Ceetar wrote: If they trade Reyes, no one will be at the park in August anyway to get the poster. It's looking like nobody might be at the park even if they keep Reyes. A couple of people have reported that they're doing "not bad" with ticket sales.

From the NYT:

"Moreover, the one potential bright spot � the start of games at Citi Field, the selling of tickets, the sale of hot dogs and beer � appears clouded as well. One person close to the team said that advance ticket sales for the 2011 season were going so poorly that a sense of panic had begun to take hold in the team�s front office."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/sports/baseball/27wilpon.html?src=twrhp

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: From the NYT: "Moreover, the one potential bright spot � the start of games at Citi Field, the selling of tickets, the sale of hot dogs and beer � appears clouded as well. One person close to the team said that advance ticket sales for the 2011 season were going so poorly that a sense of panic had begun to take hold in the team�s front office." http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/sports/baseball/27wilpon.html?src=twrhp

"one person close to the team" is fine. Maybe they are. I've heard executives, who put their games to it, say that the tickets sales _aren't_ bad. We'll see, because 90% of it is based off the play on the field, that looks to be better.

Sure, lower presales are expected given the state of things this offseason, and could also affect cash flow problems (Like how they introduced more deferred payment plans for season ticket holders in November. Hey! I bet if they didn't do that, they wouldn't have need the loan. )

Also, I'm not concerned with releasing part-time phone answers in this day and age. I'm sure the new boss realized that the Internet is the way to go, and they were basically a waste of money.