Results tagged ‘ Brooklyn Bobbleheads ’
Head Over Heels And Other Anomalies
At this moment in space and time I am more or less “caught up” in my blogging duties. This is a good thing, but I can’t shake the nagging suspicion that I’m missing something.
Because there’s always something, isn’t there?
Before getting weighed down by the contemplation of such abstract notions, I wanted to share some odds, ends, bits, pieces, and nuggets that I have accumulated in recent days. Oh, there’s some ephemera in here too. Can’t forget the ephemera.
Let’s start off with something visually striking.
The above item, designed by the bobble visionaries at Coyote Promotions, is being given away by the Brooklyn Cyclones on August 2. As you may have noticed, it is upside down. Therefore, it is Ike’s legs that bobble while his head remains stationary.
This object is also unique in that it commemorates a player’s Major League feat (Ike’s dazzling trifecta of foul territory catches) while said player is in a Minor League uniform (the Cyclones, whom Ike played for in 2008). The Cyclones are literally re-writing history, then, putting the events of 2010 within a 2008 context. This bit of space-time continuum trickery results in cognitive disconnect, a common ailment in the world of Minor League Baseball promotions.
For instance, the Binghamton Mets are staging a “Big Lebowski” promo next week. But playing the role of Jesus Quintana is none other than Bingo the Bee.
Deal with it:
Meanwhile, in Lake County, the Captains held their annual star-studded “Cleveland Sports History Night.” As this video shows, the team was actually able to find a sponsor for a re-enactment of one of the worst moments in the city’s long and sad sports history.
I was going to expound further about the above video, but my Google image search for “Art Modell” also turned up naked “art models” and I fear that I will soon be fired as a result of this inadvertent breach of internet usage policy.
Let’s quickly proceed to Trenton then, as last night the Thunder staged “Irish Heritage Night” AND a “Mustache Bash.”
On the Irish side of the equation:
The mustache side:
Incidentally, may I please suggest that teams staging a Mustache promotion utilize THIS SONG?
And, please, don’t forget that an epic milestone will be occurring TONIGHT on the West Coast: the 40,000th game in California League history. As for which game will receive the honor, that’s yet to be determined. Five games will be running concurrently this evening, and it all depends on the finishing times.
But it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. There’s no better proof of that saying than active Minor
League home run leader Mike Hessman, who received a call-up yesterday to the New York Mets. The 32-year-old had hit 18 home runs this season to run up his Minor League total to 329; he certainly has nothing left to prove in the International League.
And I, meanwhile, have nothing left to write.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
2009: The Year in Photos
I am ready to embrace the offseason. I really and truly am. But if I come up with a blog post idea that will let me re-visit a time when Minor League Baseball was actually played every day, then you best believe I’m gonna do it.
And today, that idea is this: to present my favorite photos that appeared on this blog during the 2009 season. I did not apply any specific criteria when making these selections, other than to ask myself “Does this photo make my inner-most being cry out in rapturous wonderment?.” If the answer was in the affirmative, then you will see it listed below. Hopefully, your innermost being will respond similarly.
What follows are my top 10 pics of the year, listed in the order in which they appeared on this blog.
Master Yogi Berra Lets Loose — On April 21, Greensboro Grasshoppers canine mascot Master Yogi Berra had a bit of an on-field accident. The following is one of two pictures I obtained of the incident (the “clean version”, if you will):
(Photo credit: Dano Keeney)
Ceremonial Centenarian — On April 24, Round Rock Express season-ticket holder Chris Nocera threw out the first pitch. She is 102 years old — and very determined:
Cream Stick Gets Creamed — The Akron Aeros nightly “Cream Stick Race” was, by all accounts, a chaotic free-for-all. Here, Vanilla feigns innocence immediately after pushing Maple to the ground:
A Moo-ving Image — A key component of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ “Salute to Cows” was a mooing contest. The following picture depicts the eventual champion as he readied himself for the moo of his life:
An A-peel-ing Photo – As part of the Idaho Falls Chukars’ “Potato Night”, so-called “Spuddy Buddies” were thrown into the crowd. It was a thing of beauty:
Belly Quickly Busted — This guy couldn’t even make it out of the first round in the Williamsport Crosscutters’ annual “Belly Buster” contest:
If you have any photos from this past se
ason that you think are worthy of inclusion in this blog, then by all means get in touch. I’ll be waiting patiently for your correspondence.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Ben's Biz Blog in Brooklyn For Bellies, Baseball
I was attendance at the Brooklyn Cyclones’ “Bellies and Baseball” promotion yesterday, and filed an article on the experience that can be read HERE.
However, following MiLB.com standard operating procedure, said article contained exactly ONE photograph. Believe it or not, I took far more than one photograph, and would like to share them here within the hallowed confines of this blog.
The evening (which, just so we’re clear, was a salute to pregnancy) started off with a pre-game outfield Lamaze Class
Once the Lamaze Class wound up, the ladies and their mates gathered together for a group photo:
Cyclones players really had their hands full when it came to catching the ceremonial first pitch:
The evening was sponsored by the fine folks at Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, who awarded gift baskets to some of the ladies and also provided free cocoa butter samples to fans as they left the ballpark. This was one of the products in the gift basket, which amused me greatly due to the fact that I am 11 years old:
During the game, pregnant ladies were offered complimentary food at the so-called “Craving Station”. (from left to right: pickles, olives, pizza, ice cream, some guy):
The TRI-umphant winner of the TRImester TRIcycle race:
Lest I forget, there was also a “Paint Your Own Bobblehead” giveaway on this evening, complete with a painting station on the concourse. Here are several interpretations of how Sandy the Seagull would look in a Dali-esque hallucinogenic netherworld:
At any rate, I hope to be adding video to this post very soon. If I told you of the hardships I have experienced on the technical front as of late, you would be amazed that one could live through such an ordeal. Or, more likely, you would nod politely while wondering why you ever agreed to go on a date with such a self-absorbed doofus.
Update! Against seemingly insurmountable odds, I shot a video, saved it to my computer, edited it, and uploaded it to YouTube.
Update II — Never mind the above. Let’s move on.
Update III — Here goes nothing:
And in regards to Coney Island — it is one of my favorite places in all of New York City. When I get the time (read: never), I’ll do a post on some of the incredible things the neighborhood has to offer.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
Barack and His Bobble
I attended yesterday’s “Baracklyn Cyclones” promotion at KeySpan Park in Coney Island, and am currently working on an article recapping the evening’s events.
(update: article is here)
But, because it is important for me to remain America’s go-to Minor League promotional guru, I feel compelled to share the following image immediately. It is an all-time classic.
Photo Credit: George Napolitano/Brooklyn Cyclones
BensBiz
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