MiLB honors top promotions of '23
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
The Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar, which began informally in the ‘80s and grew to become a staple of the early-offseason calendar, was held annually through 2020. The Golden Bobblehead Awards, honoring top promotions in a variety of categories, emerged out of this event and continue to this day.
This year’s Golden Bobbleheads were awarded at the inaugural Fall Meetings, a Minor League Baseball-specific gathering that took place earlier this week in Las Vegas. I did not attend the Fall Meetings but was a member of the Golden Bobblehead Award voting panel. What follows are the six winners -- four of whom I voted for -- and my thoughts on each.
Best Promotion or Event: Eugene Emeralds, Exploding Whales
If you’ve been a regular reader of this newsletter, then you’ve already been exposed to plenty of Exploding Whales coverage. Briefly, for the newbies: In 1970 the city of Florence, Ore., attempted to remove a beached whale by blowing it up with 1,000 pounds of dynamite. It did not go well, but a resulting local news report went on to become an enduring viral video.
The Emeralds’ Exploding Whales alternate identity was a massive hit both locally and nationally, resulting in upticks in attendance, social media engagement and, of course, merchandise sales. I attended May 6’s Exploding Whales game, where I spoke with a plethora of individuals who had intimate connections to this epochal 1970 event.
My vote: Exploding Whales
Best Community Event: Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Starry Night
2023 marked the third iteration of the Cannon Ballers’ Starry Night, an all-day initiative benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Components include a sunrise “Shooting Star 5K” race, Starry Night theme jerseys and a postgame lantern lighting recognizing those who have been lost to brain tumors, those who are currently afflicted and those who support the cause.
My vote: Fresno Grizzlies, Back to School Night
I appreciated the scope and ambition of this pragmatic event. The Grizzlies gave away 5,000 backpacks prior to an early August game, and a multifaceted health fair offering a variety of free back-to-school-related products and services was held on the concourse.
Best In-Game Promotion or Event: Corpus Christi Hooks, Mutton Bustin’
The Hooks added a new twist to their annual Rodeo Weekend this season, as they gave young fans the chance to ride a boisterous lamb on the field between innings. The Double-A Astros affiliate chose 10 kids to participate, and the one who stayed on the mutton the longest was awarded with a two-foot tall trophy.
My vote: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Duct Tape Night
I’m predictable in that I’ll usually choose and champion the weirdest and most absurd Minor League promos. Hence, my vote for Jacksonville’s Duct Tape Night. Promotions director David Ratz was duct-taped to a concourse pole and, when this endeavor became too much for him to handle, cut himself down. What happened next is a little murky, but it involved Ratz being escorted from the ballpark by onsite EMTs. I wrote a story about it.
Best Non-Gameday Event: Fresno Grizzlies, Tequila Fest
The Grizzlies’ long-running Taco Truck Throwdown started out as an in-game promo and evolved to become a standalone event held in the offseason. The team’s experience with tacos led, inevitably, to tequila. May 20’s celebration of this mood-altering elixir featured 36 vendors and drew over 7,000 fans. The evening’s musical lineup, featuring T.I., Rick Ross and Lil Jon, was about as top-notch as Minor League ballpark bookings get.
My Vote: Tequila Fest
Best Theme Night Collection or Specialty Jersey: Hartford Yard Goats, Bouncing Pickles
Like the Exploding Whales, Hartford’s Bouncing Pickles theme jersey received quite a bit of coverage throughout the season (read Rob Terranova’s story about it HERE). For the uninitiated: The Yard Goats somehow came across an archaic state law targeting unscrupulous pickle sellers, which stipulated that a pickle isn’t a pickle if it doesn’t bounce. The Yard Goats made sure that theirs did, and went on to sell over 3,000 pieces of Bouncing Pickles merch.
My pick: Bouncing Pickles
Best Digital Campaign or Activation: Buffalo Bisons, MARK bobblehead
Mark Aichinger, a 59-year-old with physical and mental disabilities, is a beloved Bisons superfan best known for yelling “Hey, you stink!” at opposing players. The Bisons gave away a bobblehead in his honor on Sept. 2, which was preceded and followed by an online marketing campaign. Highlights included a video of Bisons GM Anthony Sprague telling Mark about the bobblehead, and another one that recapped Mark’s special night in full. Both are very well done and therefore worth your time.
My pick: MARK bobblehead
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Eugene Emeralds Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
The Eugene Emeralds have announced their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Manager Jeremiah Knackstedt will lead the team for the 2nd straight season. Hitting coach Jared Walker & pitching coach Mario Rodriguez will also return to Eugene for their 2nd season. Drew Martinez will be joining the staff for
Unmissable Moments in Sports: Emeralds Style Revealed
Sports fans from all walks of life know that certain events transcend the game, offering moments of triumph, tradition, and excitement. For supporters of the Eugene Emeralds, we’ve curated a guide to the biggest and most prestigious sporting events worldwide. From motorsports to tennis and college athletics, each event showcases
Emeralds Home Clubhouse Manager Danny Okada named 2024 Home Clubhouse Manager of the Year
Minor League Baseball today announced the winners of the head groundskeeper of the year and home and visiting clubhouse managers of the year awards for each of the full season Minor League teams. The Emeralds home clubhouse manager Danny Okada has been named as the Northwest League home clubhouse manager
Joe Holstedt: A life of service
Joe Holstedt was a little nervous for this interview. He’s the most gregarious, loud, overtly friendly person in the Emeralds’ orbit. But the very nature of his job forces him into the background, where he operates far more comfortably. Watching the game — the man only called upon by injury.
Emeralds Announce Specialty Nine Jersey Honoring the Negro Leagues and Eugene’s Black Community
The Eugene Emeralds are excited to announce a new speciality jersey that honors the Negro League and Eugene’s Black Community. The Emeralds put together a focus group with Black community leaders to create something that represented them. The NAACP of Eugene-Springfield, the Black Cultural Initiative and former Emeralds player George
Emeralds Visiting Clubhouse Manager Takes Home Clubhouse Attendant Award
Minor League Baseball has announced the 2023 groundskeeper and clubhouse attendant awards. Travis Wong, the Emeralds visiting clubhouse attendant, has been given the award in the Northwest league. The winners were selected using the results of league managers, players and executives throughout the 2023 season. “We are extremely proud of
Emeralds Win Golden Bobblehead Award For Best Promotion
The Eugene Emeralds were announced as the winners of the Golden Bobblehead award for the best promotion or event after honoring their local history with the Exploding Whales identity. It was announced the Emeralds won the award at the MiLB Fall meetings that are taking place in Las Vegas. Allan
Emeralds Baseball Submits Funding Options for New Facility to MLB, Seeks Additional Time for Completion
EUGENE, OREGON - October 2nd, 2023 - In accordance with the Major League Baseball (MLB) September 30th deadline, the Eugene Emeralds announce the submission of all current funding options for their proposed new multi-use facility. With approximately two-thirds of the estimated $90.4 million funding identified, the team is cautiously optimistic
In honor of National Hat Day, here are 10 of MiLB's most popular caps of '24
We are celebrating the small yet mighty canvas that is the Minor League cap for National Hat Day. Clubs across the Minors utilize them as a fun way to represent their teams, regions and sometimes even their parent organizations. Not to mention they also look pretty sweet. Here's a close
Here are 10 of the top Minor League jerseys in 2024
Fans typically buy a sports jersey because of who's wearing it. But in the Minor Leagues, what’s on a jersey can often mean so much more. Teams have a way of making fans part of franchises by bringing local culture into their jersey and theme nights. “It's taking pride in
Eldridge among Giants prospects on AFL stage
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Bryce Eldridge has plenty of ingredients to become a frontline starter. He's a 6-foot-7 left-hander with a 92-94 mph fastball that reaches 96 and a low-80s slider that misses bats, and he dominated as a reliever while helping Team USA win the 2022 World Cup at the
Minor League Player Spotlight: Giants' Eldridge
Bryce Eldridge feels like he always plays up to the competition. It could explain how his numbers have improved with every new level of the Minors he has reached since being drafted by San Francisco No. 16 overall in the 2023 Draft. He even has his chance to show it
Top Minor League moments from 2023
In 2023, Minor League Baseball featured thrilling prospect debuts, electric performances and moments that went beyond the box score. All commemorated by the inaugural MiLB Awards on MLB Network. Let's look back on the year in MiLB.
The Road to The Show™: Giants’ Whisenhunt
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at third-ranked Giants prospect Carson Whisenhunt. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. There’s been a lot working against Carson Whisenhunt over
MiLB honors Golden Bobblehead Award winners
LAS VEGAS -- Minor League Baseball announced the winners of the 2023 Golden Bobblehead Awards for top promotional activities and events in six categories.
Ben's Biz eats: Best of the Pacific Northwest
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
Some of the Minors' most popular jerseys
Jerseys can be gateways. And in the Minor Leagues, there’s plenty to explore. The kit can represent the town, a favorite food, the local culture, an important issue. And with longer affiliation partnerships, more teams have used them to connect with their parent clubs. Not to mention, they’re nice to
Hops Take Series Finale Against Eugene
The Eugene Emeralds dropped the series finale against the Hops by a final score of 7-1. With the loss today the Emeralds take a series split this week in Hillsboro. The Ems record now sits at 61-59 on the season and 27-27 in the 2nd half. The Hops jumped out
The best of the Giants' Minor League ballparks
The Minor League Ballpark Guides series presented by Wyndham brings all the most fun features of Minors ballparks across America (and one in Canada!) onto your desktop, tablet or mobile device, whether you're interested in taking a virtual tour from where you sit or planning a trip to catch some
MiLB clubs embrace communities on Juneteenth
Over the past week, Negro League Baseball has had a welcome presence on the Minor League landscape. Teams have taken on alternate identities, worn Negro League-inspired jerseys and welcomed special guests to the stadium in honor of Juneteenth. Declared an official holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery
Emeralds make themselves at home on the road
As the University of Oregon baseball season was winding down, the High-A Eugene staff couldn't help but scoreboard watch. While the Ducks' success didn't directly impact the Emeralds’ standings, there’d be a ripple effect, as the two clubs share PK Park in Eugene, Ore. “It kind of just became more
Copa de la Diversión en la comunidad
Copa de la Diversión is a multi-faceted fan engagement platform focused on embracing the cultures and values that resonate most with local Latino/a communities. Indeed, some of the greatest success stories within Copa -- sponsored by Nationwide, the platform's official insurance partner -- relate to each club’s ability to make
Minor Leagues bring the love on Mother's Day
Where would we be without our moms? While people everywhere celebrated Mother's Day, teams and players around the Minors made their affection known with pink uniforms, moms honored before the game and even home runs hit in maternal honor. Because moms always support their kids win or lose, it made