Worst Promotions in Baseball History Jim Dunphy dunphyjjaol

Worst Promotions in Baseball History Jim Dunphy dunphyjj@aol. com 1

Promotions • Most baseball promotions are giveaways, special events or reduced costs for certain groups • The giveaways are usually sponsored by a company, so there is little or no cost to the team • Most are with less desirable opponents, and increase attendance 2

But…. 3

• Some promotions go down in history as “what could they be thinking? ” • Let’s take a look at some of these 4

Free Compost Night Seattle Mariners 2011 5

Free Compost Night • With other Seattle based teams, the Mariners formed the green alliance • So what is compost? small bags of compost made from food waste, packaging material, drink cups, utensils and other stuff discarded during past Mariners games. ” 6

Free Compost Night • So basically the Mariners were saying, come to the ball game and take home our garbage • Not surprising this promotion did not continue. 7

Turn Ahead the Clock Night Various dates, 1999 8

Turn Ahead the Clock Night • Many clubs had a Turn Back the Clock Night • This allowed them to wear old time uniforms, sometimes of clubs no longer in the city • And, of course, then sell those uniforms in the team store. 9

Turn Ahead the Clock Night • So in this 1999 promotion, teams were asked to envision what they would look like in 2021 (not that long from now!) • Eight teams – the more traditional – Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, did not participate (and were probably happy about the result) • The New York Mets renamed themselves for this event the Mercury Mets, making their only Earth appearance of the year. 10

Turn Ahead the Clock Night Mercury Mets Mariners, Rockies and Pirates 11

Turn Ahead the Clock Night • All of the uniforms were similarly gaudy and ugly • Needless to say, after the promotion, they were relegated to the dustbin of history 12

Reggie Bars Yankees opening day, 1978 13

Reggie Bars • First, a little background • Reggie Jackson was first drafted by the Kansas City A’s • When it became apparent in 1976 that he would not resign with the A’s, he was traded to Baltimore • Then, after the 1976 season, he signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees 14

Reggie Bars • One of the iconic candy bars is the Baby Ruth • Many people, including the Babe, think it was named after Babe Ruth. • Nestle argued it was actually named after one of President Grover Cleveland’s daughters, and won a 1921 court case. 15

Reggie Bars • Reggie, before he signed with NY, said if he ever played in NY they would name a candy bar after him. • So Clark came up with the Reggie bar, a round candy bar of peanuts and caramel coated in milk chocolate • Fellow Yankee Catfish Hunter quipped “When you unwrap a Reggie Bar, it tells you how good it is” 16

Reggie Bars • So on Opening Day 1978, after Reggie hit 3 home runs in the final game of the WS in 1977, the Yankees decided to hand out Reggie Bars. • Reggie lived up to the moment, hitting a 3 run HR in his first AB 17

Reggie Bars • So it’s no surprise where the Reggie bars ended up after the HR • The field was littered with the bars, rendering it temporarily unplayable until Yankees grounds crew were able to retrieve the bars. 18

Reggie Bars White Sox manager Bob Lemon (soon to be manager of the Yankees) fumed : Let them throw them when he’s in right field, See how he feels. People starving all over the world and 30 billion calories are laying on the field. 19

Seat Cushion Night Busch Stadium April 18, 1987 20

Seat Cushion Night • The idea – let the folks sit in normally hard seats on cushions • After all, what is more important about a game than the comfort of the fans. • How about playing the game without interruption? 21

Seat Cushion Night • The seat cushions were perfectly constructed to be flung on the field • On numerous occasions, the grounds crew had to come out to pick up the cushions so play could be resumed. 22

Seat Cushion Night • The story, though, has a happy ending • This Cardinals won on a walk off homerun • Of course, this was the signal for the remaining cushions to come flying out of the stands. 23

Seat Cushion Night • Let’s go to the videotape: https: //www. youtube. com/wat ch? v=KQ-r. QVmec. Pc 24

Seat Cushion Night • Proving you can’t fix stupid, the Cardinals decided to hold another seat cushion night in 2006 • And to no surprise, the same result (both in the game result and the seat cushion result) https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=JHZTnxc. DN 4&w=420&h=315 25

Ball Night Dodger Stadium August 10, 1995 26

Ball Night • So, after seeing what projectile promotions would do with candy bars and seat cushions, you would think people would learn • But not the Dodgers 27

Ball Night • A sellout crowd of 53, 361 showed up at Dodger Stadium for free baseballs • Home plate umpire Jim Quick made a few close calls on balls and strikes, leading first to an argument with Kirk Gibson and then ejecting Erik Karros • For those of you who are lip readers, pay close attention to Gibson’s reaction in the video 28

Ball Night • When he called Raul Mondesi out on strikes, both Mondesi and Manager Tommy Lasorda were tossed • Then the trouble started 29

Ball Night • Of course, this was a signal for balls to rain from the heavens, and the umps had the teams clear the field • Lasorda had the ground crew pick up the balls, and play resumed. • As soon as it did, the Cards outfielders became targets • With that, crew chief Quick took the only action he thought he could take 30

Ball Night • The game ended up in a forfeit – the first forfeit for the Dodgers since 1916 • And it was the first forfeit in the major leagues since July 12, 1979, when… • No, we’ll save that for later! 31

Ball Night • https: //www. youtube. com/wa tch? v=sm 4 Vy. Sz 1 LUU 32

• So, did anyone learn anything from these three fiascoes? • Well, on Opening Day 2017, the Nationals did give away a Magic 8 ball, just the right size and shape to be turned into a missile 33

Nats Opening Day • But they did learn something Ø Don’t give the item away coming into the ballpark, only when leaving. Ø And then don’t allow people back to their seats with an 8 ball. 34

Cash Dash Money Drop West Michigan Whitecaps April 15, 2006 35

Cash Dash Money Drop • What do people like more than bobbleheads or t-shirts? • That’s right, money • And you can’t shoot money out of a cannon like a t-shirt 36

Cash Dash Money Drop • So what’s the alternative? • How about this: fly over the crowd in a helicopter and drop money • After all, what could possibly go wrong? 37

Cash Dash Money Drop • So, after a game at the Fifth Third ballpark (incidentally a West Michigan win) a helicopter flew over the stands, dropping $1, 000 in dollar bills • Of course there was an orderly line to try and obtain the bills • NOT! 38

Cash Dash Money Drop • In the melee, a 7 year old boy needed to go to the hospital, and a 7 year old girl got a bloody lip. • The team’s reaction: It's for fun and games. This is why we have everybody sign a waiver. • Note to self: if you have to have fans sign a waiver before a promotion, it’s probably not a good idea. 39

Wet T Shirt Night Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta May 20, 1977 40

Wet T Shirt Night • First a little background. • The Braves were a wandering team, starting in Boston, then to Milwaukee, before landing in Atlanta in 1966 • They won the division in 1969, but by the mid 1970’s, were a losing club, with declining attendance • Then…. . 41

Ted Turner • Ted Turner, aka the Mouth of the South, bought the team in 1976 • He already owned superstation WTBS, Channel 17 and saw the Braves as an excellent opportunity to fill hours 42

Ted Turner • As an example of cross marketing, he signed Andy Messersmith to a long term deal • Messersmith wore number 17, so Turner wanted him to accept the nickname Channel, so , well, you can figure out the uniform • To no great surprise, Messersmith said no 43

Wet T Shirt Night • The head of promotions for the Atlanta Braves was Bob Hope (no, not that Bob Hope) • He was already legendary for a Headlock and Wedlock night – combining a mass wedding of 34 couples with a wrestling exhibition. 44

Wet T Shirt Night • Now it was on to wet t shirt night • At least he was realistic and refreshing: A month into the season, we knew we had another last place team. Our attitude was that you can't disgrace a disgrace. . . We had long since gone beyond any resemblance of good taste. 45

Wet T Shirt Night • But how did they come up with the idea? • Hope was meeting with a group of Atlanta college students to plan additional college nights 46

Wet T Shirt Night • After rejecting best butt and best breasts contests, the students suggested a wet t-shirt contest • Hope vetoed that idea also. • Perhaps not the best idea to ask a bunch of frat boys for ideas 47

Wet T Shirt Night • Then Lewis Grizzard, of the Atlanta Constitution, looking for a story, asked Hope about upcoming promotions • Hope fatally replied we don’t have anything yet, but I can tell you one we won’t be doing – a wet t-shirt contest 48

Wet T Shirt Night • Grizzard said the Braves shouldn’t make such a decision, the fans should, so he ran a column asking for fan input on a wet t-shirt contest • Needless to say, there was great interest and approval • So it looked like the Braves were having a wet t-shirt contest 49

Wet T Shirt Night • Hope did hold out one “hope” that this promotion would be shot down – the Metro Atlanta Christian Council • Hope and Owner Ted Turner went to the Headquarters of the Council to discuss this with them (and hopefully for the Council to provide cover for cancelling) 50

Wet T Shirt Night • The Council did approve the promotion on two counts ØIt would be held after the game so families could leave before the contest ØA member of the Council would be one of the judges (!? !? !? !) 51

Wet T Shirt Night As they left, a stunned Turner turned to Hope and said “looks like we’re having a wet t-shirt night” 52

Wet T Shirt Night • So on May 20, with the Braves sporting a 13 -24 record, wet t shirt night was on • The announced crowd was only 11, 451, well below the other crowds in these stories – and presumably mostly male 53

Wet T Shirt Night • Ironically, there was a two hour rain delay – the Braves decided not to have a natural wet t shirt night • But they had a rowdy crowd of judges for that important function • Finally the game started, and registration began in the sixth inning 54

Wet T Shirt Night • The table was in public view, so it took a while for the first woman to sign up, but she was later joined by 42 other sisters. • After the game (a 13 -4 Atlanta loss) the main event started 55

Wet T Shirt Night • The ladies in question were hosed down, and paraded in front of the judges (including the member of the Christian Council) and the fans • Amazingly, the winner was the daughter of a Methodist minister. 56

Wet T Shirt Night • Weeks later, Hope received a phone call from the Phillies, whose owner, Ruly Carpenter, was a power within MLB • Assuming he was going to get kicked out of baseball for such a stunt, Hope complied • Only to be amazed later with an additional request for another 300 photos so Carpenter could pass them around to his friends 57

Wet T Shirt Night • After months of intensive research, sorry to report that apparently no photos or videos of that night remain • Your intrepid instructor will continue his dedicated research • However, it is not difficult to use your imagination! 58

And now…. . If you think those were bad…. The two most famous promotions in baseball history! 59

10 cent Beer Night Cleveland June 4, 1974 60

10 cent Beer Night First, a little background 61

10 cent Beer Night • Cleveland played Texas in Texas on May 29, 1974 • With Tom Grieve of the Rangers on second and Lenny Randle on first a ball was hit to Indians third baseman John Lowenstein who stepped on the bag for one out • However, Randle broke up the double play with a hard slide into Indian second baseman Jack Brohamer 62

10 cent Beer Night • In the bottom of the eighth, Indian Milt Wilcox threw behind Randle • Randle then laid down a bunt, and, after being tagged out by Wilcox, hit Wilcox with his forearm • A bench clearing brawl broke out 63

10 cent Beer Night • After the game, Rangers manager Billy Martin was asked if “he would be taking his armor to Cleveland” when the Rangers went there the following week • Martin’s reply – “Nah, they won’t have enough fans there to worry about. ” • Perhaps Martin was right – the Indians were drawing about 10, 000 fans a game. 64

10 cent Beer Night • So on June 4, 1974, the night of the first game against the Rangers, the Indians staged 10 cent beer night. • Equivalent to 49 cents today – a little less than $9 at Nats Park • Customers could only buy 6 beers at a time – but there were no limits on the number of times! 65

What happens when you drink too much 10 cent beer • A woman ran to the Indians on deck circle and flashed her breasts • After Rangers Tom Grieve hit a homer, he was accompanied around the bases by a streaker • A father and son duo jumped on the field and mooned the crowd 66

What happens when you drink too much 10 cent beer • After the Rangers took a 5 -1 lead, the Indians tied it, and with winning run Rusty Torres (more about him later) on second, all hell broke loose • A fan jumped out of the stands, deciding what he really needed was Texas outfielder Jeff Burroughs’ cap • Trying to get away from the fan, Burroughs stumbled and fell 67

What happens when you drink too much 10 cent beer • Thinking that the fan had knocked down Burroughs, Martin led his team, bats in hand to his rescue • Indians manager Ken Aspromonte ordered his team to the rescue • By now, there were hundreds of fans on the field, some carrying bats themselves, along with chains and parts of stadium seats they broke off. 68

What happens when you drink too much 10 cent beer • The two teams fought their way back to the dugouts through a gauntlet of hot dogs, bottles, and radio batteries • The drunk fans pulled up all the bases, and Umpiring Crew Chief Nestor Chylack had no choice but to declare a forfeit 69

The Rangers retreat (Burroughs in Center) 70

Forfeit • As he was declaring a forfeit, Chylack was hit in the head with a folding chair, drawing blood. • The Cleveland police ended up breaking up the riot with nightsticks and tear gas 71

Tim Russert • The future host of NBC’s Meet the Press was attending Cleveland Marshall Law School and was at the game • He later said “I went with $2 in my pocket – you do the math. ” 72

And now, let’s go to the videotape https: //www. youtube. com/wat ch? v=De. Tpn. Ozo. Pdw 73

10 cent beer night II? • Cleveland learned their lesson (? ) when they had beer night II shortly afterwards • A huge police presence made for a calm(er) crowd • But they wisely decided against strike 3 74

Disco Demolition Night Comiskey Park, Chicago July 12, 1979 75

Disco Demolition Night • First, a little about Bill Veeck • His father, also named Bill Veeck, was an executive at the turn of the century with the Cubs. • Veeck served in WWII, where he lost a leg in an accident 76

Disco Demolition Night • He first owned the St. Louis Browns, then the Cleveland Indians • In 1975 he purchased the Chicago White Sox 77

Bill Veeck Perhaps his most famous exploit was signing Eddie Gaedel, who stood 3’ 7 and wore the number 1/8 • Not surprisingly, Gaedel walked on 4 pitches, and was banned immediately from baseball • Other promotions included Ø Grandstand Managers Day, where the fans voted on strategy Ø Good old Joe Early Day, honoring the average fan • 78

Bill Veeck • Despite clothing the White Sox in the most hideous uniforms this side of the Astros, attendance remained low • Both him and his son Mike tried to come up with ways to increase attendance • Bill was in the hospital when Mike came up with a promotion – and the rest is history! 79

Disco • Disco burst on the scenes in the mid 1970’s, and within a few years dominated the air play. • There was still some rock and roll fans, who despised disco partially because of the music, and partly because of the demographics of disco fans – gay and minorities. 80

Disco • One casualty of the disco wars was DJ Steve Dahl, • His radio station, WDAI, moved from rock to disco and he was fired on Christmas Eve 1978 • Dahl was hired by WLUP, 97. 9 FM (remember those call numbers!) • He immediately launched an anti disco crusade on his new station. 81

The Birth of Disco Demolition Night • WLUP had decided to stage a promotion blowing up records in a parking lot • Mike Veeck, Bill’s son, held a Disco Night in 1978, and was intrigued by the thought of an anti disco night • Meeting with WLUP personnel, including Dahl, he suggested blowing up the records at Comiskey 82

Disco Demolition Night • So we make it to the night of July 12, 1979, a twi night doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. • The previous night’s attendance was about 15, 000, so the White Sox were hoping for about 25, 000. • The promotion was if you brought a disco record for the between games explosion, you could get in for 98 cents (remember the call numbers? ) 83

Disco Demolition Night • To the shock of the White Sox, they actually drew over 50, 000, with at least another 20, 000 outside demanding (and eventually succeeding in ) getting in. • 50, 000 young fans + beer (and other substances) + vinyl records do not make for a good match. • All through the first game, won by the Tigers 4 -1, records came flying out of the stands like Frisbees. 84

Disco Demolition Night • • Also joining Dahl was his radio partner, Steve Meier, and Lorelei was a Chicago based model who also threw out the first pitch. 85

Disco Demolition Night About 25 minutes after the first game, the three above came out in a jeep, and circled the stands, heading for CF where disco albums waiting in a box • Dahl told the crowd (now well oiled) This is now officially the world's largest anti-disco rally! Now listen—we took all the disco records you brought tonight, we got 'em in a giant box, and we're gonna blow 'em up reeeeeeal goooood • 86

Disco Demolition Night • • With that, he set off the explosion, not only blowing up the records (with shards going everywhere), but also blowing a huge hole in CF That was the signal for thousands of fans to rush out of the stands onto the field, stealing bases (literally), pulling up grass, destroying the batting cage, and whatever other mayhem they could do 87

Disco Demolition Night • Among the people running on the field were future actor Michael Clarke Duncan • He later noted that while on the field Ø He slid into third base Ø Had the buckle stolen off his belt Ø Was able to grab a bat from the dugout 88

Disco Demolition Night • • Bill Veeck stood on the field like King Canute trying to stem the drunken tide The organist played repeated choruses of “Take Me out to the Ballgame” and the scoreboard begged fans to return to their seats To no avail – after consulting with AL President, Crew Chief Dave Phillips first postponed the game Then, on demand of Tigers manager Sparky Anderson, the next day MLB awarded the Tigers a forfeit 89

Aftermath • • Dahl had no consequences from the action, and actually joked about it later The Veecks took responsibility, and within a year, had sold the White Sox This remains the last forfeited game in the AL almost 40 years later Disco began a swift decline shortly thereafter – was Disco Demolition Night a cause or a symptom? 90

And now, in living color www. youtube. com/watch? v=JSVTJn_N Me. U 91

Bill Veeck • • Despite (or perhaps) because of these antics, Bill Veeck was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991, 5 years after his death. The last line on his plaque reads: “A Champion of the Little Guy. ” 92

Mr. Forfeit • Rusty Torres earned the title of Mr. Forfeit • He was on the field for Ø The Senators last game in Washington in 1971 Ø 10 Cent beer night in Cleveland in 1974 Ø Disco demolition night in Chicago in 1979 § All of which ended up in forfeits 93