Minor Enterprise: Dallas Braden welcomes you to the 209

What’s been the most amazing thing that’s happened to Dallas Braden since throwing his perfect game? Becoming the punch line in a Doonesbury comic strip, of course.

“It came to my attention that I was mentioned in Doonesbury,” Braden told me on Saturday at Banner Island Ballpark, where the Stockton Ports were having Dallas Braden Day. “That was amazing. Just awkward, weird. I couldn’t believe it.”

Here’s the Doonesbury strip in question. Justin Pratt, a U.S. soldier convalescing in the base hospital from wounds suffered in the Gulf War, begins to question the existence of a loving God. “On the other hand,” he says, “How do you explain a perfect game from Dallas Braden?”

For his part, Braden will never doubt the hand of fate. He was still celebrating as of Saturday, when his home town and former team honored him with all the gifts one might expect, including a key to the city. There was a time in Braden’s younger, let’s say unstructured, days, that gift would not have been wise. Now, he’s the Local Hero.

“Stockton has a lot to celebrate,” Braden told Out of Bounds on Saturday. “A lot of good things are happening in this community. We were No. 2 on the Forbes list of the state’s most dangerous cities, but the leaders are working hard to change that perception. The library project and the downtown project and the Banner Island renovation are just some of the examples.”

So why did Braden drive 60 miles right after an A’s game to be the guest of honor at a Single-A baseball game? He still has deep roots here.

“You’re a product of your environment, good, bad of indifferent,” he said. “This place will always be a part of me, and I will always support Stockton. We’re all on this journey together.”

And to prove it, he flashed his ’209′ belly tattoo to the sellout crowd of 6,000. Um, represent? More amazing was the fact the Braden must have signed autographs for everyone in the place. He sat at a table behind the reserved section signing his name for nearly two hours. I think I saw his grandmother signing a couple as well. Now, hers is a baseball card I would like to have. Your move, Topps.

A sampling of the best upcoming Minor League promotions, following the jump.

* Salute to Road Construction. Tonight, Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League). Photos on the video board will feature all players in construction gear, as the Chiefs handed out tickets for this one at local construction sites to honor Illinois road workers. Ushers will wear fluorescent vests and hardhats. No appearance by the construction worker from the Village People?

* Jersey Shore Night. Thursday, Omaha Royals (Pacific Coast League). Free admission for those attending with a “blowout, bump, spray tan receipt or a bottle of hair gel,” and free tanning salon certificates will be handed out during the course of the game. Also, free admission to those who can explain why a team in Nebraska is in the Pacific Coast League.

* Tribute to the Marshmallow. June 1, Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League). Marshmallow-themed contests include “The Human S’more” and the “Fuzzy Bunny”, which I swear are not sex positions. Bonus: the Ghostbusters, or a reasonable facsimile, will be on hand to battle the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Are you a God?

* Salute to the Beatles. Sunday, Stockton Ports (California League). The Ports will sport psychedelic Beatles jerseys, and fans can play Beatles trivia and play Beatles-themed games.

* Guest of the Week. Baby T-Rex returns, this time to throw out the first pitch at a Reading Phillies game. As you can see, he’s still struggling with his accuracy.

Thanks to Benjamin Hill.