OK President Obama, I think you’re officially out of consideration for worst ceremonial first pitch ever. I shudder to think that Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson actually practiced for this, so I’ll assume that she went in cold, with predictable results. Unwise. It would be like me suddenly leaping from the stands and trying to do the uneven bars. It happened at Principal Park in Des Moines, before the Iowa Cubs opener against the Oklahoma City Redhawks. This video is so full of fail. I just love it.
Here’s the MSNBC version, in case you can’t see the one above.
And now, on to the week’s upcoming Minor League promotions, and other fun stuff.
* Joe Washington Appearance. Friday, May 14, Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League). He only played for the Redskins from 1981-84, but the running back was part of two Super Bowl teams. He’ll pose for pictures and sign autographs for those D.C. fans who’ve forgotten what a Super Bowl ring looks like.
* Mike Williams Groundskeeper Chia Head Doll Giveaway. Saturday, Charleston RiverDogs (South Atlantic League). A likeness of the RiverDogs groundskeeper has hair that actually grows, and which you can groom, just like Williams does the field at Joseph P. Riley Park. Creepy, questionable fun for the entire family. [Thanks to Benjamin Hill].
* Dress Like Craig Sager Night. Tuesday, May 18, Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League). Discount admittance for those brave enough to rock the wardrobe of the TBS sideline reporter. In case you don’t know what this entails, here you go. Yes, I thought you may have found something good on TV that night.
* Endangered Mascot of the Week: Manny the Mantee. Brevard County Manatees (Florida State League). Due to the Gulf oil spill, Manny is taking a long vacation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Calif. He will be replaced by Oily the Flightless Pelican. (Photo: Manny being Manny).
* Auto Accident of the Week: Salem Red Sox (Carolina League). the Red Sox announced a construction project to resurrect one of the main ticket box office buildings that was deemed condemned after a car collided with the building on April 11. The driver of a 1998 Toyota Avalon (yes, a Toyota) lost control in the ballpark parking lot and rammed into the box-office building. The accident took place less than a week before Salem’s home opener. No one was injured in the accident but the Salem Red Sox front office, game-day employees, and fans have had to deal with logistical issues over the first few homestands of the 2010 season. “It’s not every day a car crashes straight through your ticket box office,” said Salem Red Sox general manager Todd Stephenson. “As always, the City of Salem has been great throughout the entire process.” [Ballpark Digest]
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Contact Rick Chandler at rickchand@gmail.com.
