Sniff, sniff; do you smell that? That is the smell of hot dogs on the grill. That is the smell of freshly cut Kentucky Bluegrass. That is the smell of pine tar on the field. That is the smell of stale beer soaked floors at Billy’s. Ok that last one may not be what you wanted to think about at 10:00 AM on a Friday morning, but it means one thing and one thing only: baseball in the Bronx is right around the corner.
It has been great reading the featured columns this week. They have me amped for the season more so than recent years. Maybe it is because Scott and I have been recording The Bronx Pinstripes Show the entire offseason starved for storylines. Or maybe it is because the Yankees finally have a clear organizational direction that I am on board with. Whatever the reason is, I am excited.
Another reason to be excited is because the Yankees announced their 2016 promotional schedule last week. Mark your calendars everybody! Here are the events and giveaways you won’t want to miss this summer, from worst to best…
Aug 16: Yankees Coloring Book Night
It says guests 14 and under will receive the coloring book, but show me a 14 year old who is excited to get a coloring book and I’ll show you a 14 year old who does not belong at a baseball game.
Aug 17: Yankees Growth Chart Day
I have no clue what this is, but it is still better than a coloring book.
@Yankees_talk for kids– like that giant poster with a player and a big ruler to see how tall you are?
— Adam Weinrib (@AdamWeinrib) February 12, 2016
Maybe one day little Tommy will grow up to be as tall as Betances!
May 10: Dunkin’ Donuts Card Night
Is this just a baseball card with a Dunkin’ Donuts logo on it? Because I know they aren’t giving away gift cards to Dunkin’. This is something that will find the floor of the bleacher bathroom by the 3rd inning for most people.
May 7: Sunscreen Day
This is a Saturday afternoon game vs the Red Sox. If the Yankees are trolling Clay Buchholz then I may have to move this up, but I don’t think they are that clever.
Apr 4: Magnetic Schedule Day (Opening Day)
Jun 25: Commemorative Masahiro Tanaka Baseball Card Day
The Yankees are taking a risk putting this giveaway in late June because that is just about the time Tanaka will probably end up on the DL.
Jul 19: Collectible Cup Night
My favorite Yankees collectible cup was the 1998 75th anniversary cup. I used it so much the graphic wore off. This is the best image I could find.
Apr 17: Calendar Day
My best guess for the players who will appear in the calendar: ARod, Tanaka, a combo picture of Betances/Miller/Chapman, Ellsbury, Gardner, Teixeira, McCann, Didi, Castro, Beltran, Sabathia, and Girardi. If Chase Headley gets his own month I’ll be livid.
May 13: Yankees Reusable Tote Bag
Practical and stylish; sign me up.
Aug 27: Yankees Collectible Truck Day – 12th in a series
Well, I missed the first 11 so I don’t think I’ll be making the trip to the stadium for this one. This does remind me of Hess Trucks though, which I got from my grandma every year until the age of 18.
Jul 18: Cap Night
Cap night is the bat night of caps. I know that doesn’t make sense but its a tradition and I love traditions.
Jul 23: Military Appreciation Day & Yankees Camo Cap Day
‘MERICA!
Aug 26: Yankees Mason Jar Night
So let me get this straight… They are going to give 18,000 fans mason jars? Unless they’re plastic, they are in for a rude awakening. Also I already bought one a couple years ago from the Yankees gift shop for $19.99. Yes, I am a sucker.
May 15: Yankees Wiffle Ball Set
The wiffle ball set is one of my all time favorite toys. I have bought roughly 100 Wiffle Ball sets on a whim, and even if I only use it for five minutes, it is well worth the money. A free one is even better.
The Bobblehead Days:
Sep 8: Yankees Peanut Bobblehead – 5th in a series
I’m assuming if you’ve been there for the first 4, you’ll want to be there for this one too.
Aug 7: Didi Gregorius
Second year in pinstripes and Didi already has a bobblehead. Prettay, pretttaaaaay, preetttttaaaayyyyy good.
Oct 1: Roger Maris
If you know where to find a free version of the movie 61*, hit me up on Twitter @Yankees_talk. I want to do a movie review but don’t want to buy the movie.
Apr 23: Babe Ruth
Sep 10: Dellin Betances
I hope the Betances bobblehead has no hat.
Jun 24: Mickey Mantle Triple Crown Bobblehead
If I could watch one old-timer play baseball I would choose the Mick. Next best thing is to get his bobblehead.
May 14: Alex Rodriguez Replica Bat Day
I’m shocked that the PC Police has not shut down bat day’s across baseball due to the fear of violence. I would guess when 10,000 kids are running around a stadium with bats, somebody is bound to get injured. Despite the imminent danger of bat day, this is the best giveaway of the season.
Events/Celebrations
The Yankees have been criticized for holding too many events in the past, but this year they are significant.
Jun 12: 70th Annual Old-Timers’ Day
If it were not for the ’96 celebration, OTD would be the celebration to be at this year. I have never made it to an OTD but it is on my bucket list.
Aug 14: Mariano Rivera Monument Park Plaque Dedication Day
Since the 1996 celebration is the previous day, all the greats will be in attendance. It’s insane how lucky we are as Yankees fans to have had 20+ years of dominant closers. Wetteland > Rivera > Soriano > Rivera > Robertson > Miller. And now in 2016 we will have the pleasure of watching three of the most dominant relievers in baseball do their thing every night.
Aug 13: 1996 World Series Champions 20th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony
August 13th will be the celebratory highlight of the season for me this year. The ’96 team has a special place in everybody’s heart. It was the year that started it all; from the Core Four to Bernie, Cone, O’Neill, Tino, Wetteland, Raines, Strawberry, Charlie Hayes, Luis Sojo, Jimmy Key, Doc Gooden, and the list goes on… Most, if not all, will be in attendance which makes this a must-see event. Attn: Scott — make August 13 the Bronx Pinstripes outing.
And there you have it, the complete power ranking of the 2016 Yankees promo giveaways and events. If anybody gets the “growth chart,” take a pic and let me know what it is.
