Top Ten Worst Sports Promotions of All Time
Ice Hockey Helmet Night…Hardhats Required. (Feb. 27Th, 2009. Chicago Blackhawks)
As will be the case in many of these hastily conceived notions, when you combined free objects with a sporting event, you can expect trouble to ensue. In this case, the Chicago Blackhawks gave several thousand fans a free Blackhawks hardhat to wear during the event. Most of those were promptly returned after Jonathan Toews scored his first career hat trick, causing a shower of hard hats upon the ice from excited fans.
Excessive Alcohol For Everyone on 10 Cent Beer Night (June 4th, 1974. Cleveland Indians)
Probably the worst idea on the list from a ‘recipe for disaster’ standpoint is the promotion the Indians ran back in 1974 to increase attendance. This promotion offer as many eight-ounce cups of Stroh’s Beer as the fans could drink for just $.10 each. Needless to say, the mixture of over-indulgence and a sporting event led to the inevitable forfeiting of the game by the Indians because of uncontrollable rowdiness.
Gear Up For The XFL, Featuring He-Hate-Me! (2000, Vince McMahon)
This failed promotion differs slightly from the others on this list as it was established to be a separate entity all unto itself. It makes the list, though, for the man who tried to get the ball throwing in this league, Vince McMahon. McMahon, the chairman of the board of directors for World Wrestling Entertainment (or Federation, as it was previously), brought in the smack talking and showmanship of wrestling onto the football field in this failed experiment that featured players who picked their jersey names and a game that was centered on violence as many of the established rules of the NFL were tossed out the window for the XFL. The league was a ratings black hole and only lasted for one season.
Bring the Piggy Banks for Cash Drop Night (2006, West Michigan Whitecaps)
The idiocy of event managers knows no bigger than the one who planned Cash Drop Night. Honestly, what do you expect is going to happen when you drop $1000 dollars onto the middle of a field? Luckily, only two 7-year-olds were injured, They were knocked down and trampled but only received minor injuries.
Disco Demolition Night is Simply the BOMB! (July 12th, 1979. Chicago White Sox)
Held between a double header, this inventive idea called for fans to bring a disco record to the game for a reduced ticket price. The White Sox organization would then gather all the records and explode them in a display between the two games. The trouble initially began when the expected 12,000 people turnout ballooned into almost 90,000 and ended with an explosion that was bigger than expected. It tore through the outfield wall, allowing streams of fans to rush the field.
Limber Up Your Throwing Arms on Ball Night (1995, Los Angeles Dodgers)
The brainy promotion for this event was free baseballs and really, what could go wrong with that? Well, as odd as it may seem, baseballs make pretty good throwing objects and when the Dodger Raul Mondesi and manager Tommy Lasorda was booted in the ninth inning for arguing a call, some 200 of them came flying onto the field, prompting the Dodgers to forfeit the game.
Save some Stomach Room For All You Can Eat Seats! (2007, Los Angeles Dodgers)
In a world fast becoming larger by the day, and I’m talking the average size of a person here, the Dodgers all you can eat seat promotion was bound to attract it’s fans. For $20-$40 bucks, fans could sit and eat on stadium food to their hearts content and boy did they eat. They ate to the point that many people have vomited in the section and many more have complained of a horrific odor in the section as the innings progress. Despite this, the section remains in use and is a huge draw.
Bring Your Own Barf Bag on Gluttony Night. (2009, Reading, Pa., Phillies minor league baseball team)
Another health conscious promotion allows people to receive all the cheeseburgers, pizza, soda, funnel cakes, ice cream, French fries, hot dogs and pizza they could eat, from 5 p.m. through the seventh-inning stretch for just $10. This promotion has produced no ill will that I can find but is just another step in the wrong direction for humanity.
Weather Enthusiasts Unite for Weather Curriculum Book day (Cleveland Indians)
This event is a head scratchier because in it, all you receive is a Weather Education Day 2 w/ Weather Curriculum Book In this day and age of poor attendance, I fail to see how this giveaway will draw in the fans.
Racial Insensitivity Abounds on Indian Fleece Blanket Day (Cleveland Indians)
The Cleveland Indians Logo has been an area of controversy for many years. Simply put, the Native Americans don’t like it. So what does the Indians do for their 100 year celebration? They give away a fleece blanket that features the team’s history of logos, many of which feature the Indian stereotype; red skin, feather headdress, hook nose and exaggerated goofy grin.
As will be the case in many of these hastily conceived notions, when you combined free objects with a sporting event, you can expect trouble to ensue. In this case, the Chicago Blackhawks gave several thousand fans a free Blackhawks hardhat to wear during the event. Most of those were promptly returned after Jonathan Toews scored his first career hat trick, causing a shower of hard hats upon the ice from excited fans.
Excessive Alcohol For Everyone on 10 Cent Beer Night (June 4th, 1974. Cleveland Indians)
Probably the worst idea on the list from a ‘recipe for disaster’ standpoint is the promotion the Indians ran back in 1974 to increase attendance. This promotion offer as many eight-ounce cups of Stroh’s Beer as the fans could drink for just $.10 each. Needless to say, the mixture of over-indulgence and a sporting event led to the inevitable forfeiting of the game by the Indians because of uncontrollable rowdiness.
Gear Up For The XFL, Featuring He-Hate-Me! (2000, Vince McMahon)
This failed promotion differs slightly from the others on this list as it was established to be a separate entity all unto itself. It makes the list, though, for the man who tried to get the ball throwing in this league, Vince McMahon. McMahon, the chairman of the board of directors for World Wrestling Entertainment (or Federation, as it was previously), brought in the smack talking and showmanship of wrestling onto the football field in this failed experiment that featured players who picked their jersey names and a game that was centered on violence as many of the established rules of the NFL were tossed out the window for the XFL. The league was a ratings black hole and only lasted for one season.
Bring the Piggy Banks for Cash Drop Night (2006, West Michigan Whitecaps)
The idiocy of event managers knows no bigger than the one who planned Cash Drop Night. Honestly, what do you expect is going to happen when you drop $1000 dollars onto the middle of a field? Luckily, only two 7-year-olds were injured, They were knocked down and trampled but only received minor injuries.
Disco Demolition Night is Simply the BOMB! (July 12th, 1979. Chicago White Sox)
Held between a double header, this inventive idea called for fans to bring a disco record to the game for a reduced ticket price. The White Sox organization would then gather all the records and explode them in a display between the two games. The trouble initially began when the expected 12,000 people turnout ballooned into almost 90,000 and ended with an explosion that was bigger than expected. It tore through the outfield wall, allowing streams of fans to rush the field.
Limber Up Your Throwing Arms on Ball Night (1995, Los Angeles Dodgers)
The brainy promotion for this event was free baseballs and really, what could go wrong with that? Well, as odd as it may seem, baseballs make pretty good throwing objects and when the Dodger Raul Mondesi and manager Tommy Lasorda was booted in the ninth inning for arguing a call, some 200 of them came flying onto the field, prompting the Dodgers to forfeit the game.
Save some Stomach Room For All You Can Eat Seats! (2007, Los Angeles Dodgers)
In a world fast becoming larger by the day, and I’m talking the average size of a person here, the Dodgers all you can eat seat promotion was bound to attract it’s fans. For $20-$40 bucks, fans could sit and eat on stadium food to their hearts content and boy did they eat. They ate to the point that many people have vomited in the section and many more have complained of a horrific odor in the section as the innings progress. Despite this, the section remains in use and is a huge draw.
Bring Your Own Barf Bag on Gluttony Night. (2009, Reading, Pa., Phillies minor league baseball team)
Another health conscious promotion allows people to receive all the cheeseburgers, pizza, soda, funnel cakes, ice cream, French fries, hot dogs and pizza they could eat, from 5 p.m. through the seventh-inning stretch for just $10. This promotion has produced no ill will that I can find but is just another step in the wrong direction for humanity.
Weather Enthusiasts Unite for Weather Curriculum Book day (Cleveland Indians)
This event is a head scratchier because in it, all you receive is a Weather Education Day 2 w/ Weather Curriculum Book In this day and age of poor attendance, I fail to see how this giveaway will draw in the fans.
Racial Insensitivity Abounds on Indian Fleece Blanket Day (Cleveland Indians)
The Cleveland Indians Logo has been an area of controversy for many years. Simply put, the Native Americans don’t like it. So what does the Indians do for their 100 year celebration? They give away a fleece blanket that features the team’s history of logos, many of which feature the Indian stereotype; red skin, feather headdress, hook nose and exaggerated goofy grin.
Top MLB promotions
April 5, Mets: Home run apple replica banks. The apple in center field emerges on any Met homer, so if you want to see what it looks like, get the bank.
April 6, Angels: Hideki Matsui blankie. Cause nothing is more comforting than a full-time DH.
April 11, Orioles: Plush Chick-Fil-A cows. Mooo rhymes with booo.
April 17, A's: Roy Steele bobblehead. This has to be a first -- a bobblehead of a public-address announcer. Steele has done the PA for the A's since they moved to Oakland in 1968.
April 18, Cubs: Cubs winter scarf. For the cold day in you-know-where when the Cubs win the World Series.
April 24, Reds: Ballpark turf grower. "Grow your own pot of Great American Ball Park turf." Tim Lincecum doesn't need it, thank you.
May 2, Rays: Flying Carl Crawford action figure, with parachute. Before he flies away to a big-market team.
May 7, Pirates: "Established in 1887" Cap. Was that their last winning season?
May 15, Reds: Chuck Harmon 1954 Mesh Jersey. A replica of Harmon's jersey from his debut as the first African-American player in Reds history, similar to those Reds players will wear for the game against the Cardinals.
May 16, Giants: Willie Mays "The Catch" Bobblehead. The Indians are making bobbleheads of Kenny Lofton's home run-robbing catch against B.J. Surhoff in 1996. We're going with Mays.
May 21, Dodgers: "The Empire Strikes Back" night. Commemorative poster celebrating the 30th anniversary of the movie's release. Who can forget Darth McCourt?
May 23, Pirates: Pierogy wind-up racers. Potato Pete, we hope.
May 30, Rays: Carlos Pena toothbrush holder. 'Cause Carlos Pena is all about dental health.
June 3, Mariners: Girls Night Out. "Manicures, massages and more!"
May 6, Phillies: Red foam finger in the shape of the customary Hawaiian "Hang Loose" or "Shaka" sign. In honor of Hawaiian outfielder Shane Victorino.
May 22, Royals: Willie Wilson Classic. Before the Royals-Rockies game, 1985 Royals alumni will face 1985 Cardinals alumni in a softball game, commemorating the word series of 25 years ago. Don Denkinger not invited.
June 8, White Sox: Hawk Harrelson Night. You can put it on the calendar, yessssss!
June 10, Mets: Senior Stroll. Fans 60 and older can take a "leisurely stroll" around the bases at Citi Field. Up-to-date Medicare recommended.
June 11, Giants: Tim Lincecum "rally hair." Two-year contract not included.
June 13, Giants: "Peanuts" Lucy bobblehead. She pulls a playoff berth away from the Giants at the last second. (Hit the Tigers on June 20 for the Charlie Brown bobblehead.)
June 19, Astros: Nolan Ryan bobblehead. Memo to Astros: Ryan is a part owner of the Rangers.
June 26, Rangers: Rangers dip and chips platter. For those "Salty" snacks.
June 28, Orioles: World champion 1970 Orioles 40th-anniversary caps. Cool old cap with orange bill, black top and bird-head logo.
July 10, Diamondbacks: Greg Schulte 2,000th game bobblehead. Schulte, the team's radio play-by-play man since it started in 1998, will call his 2,000th Arizona game this year.
July 10, Rays: Post-game Go-Gos concert. Belinda Carlisle. Enough said.
July 17, Marlins: Marlins cow bell. The "Latin" cow bells will be given away Sept. 18. Not sure if a cow bell sounds different in Spanish.
July 31, Cardinals: Whitey Herzog bobblehead. First team ever to give away white rats.
July 31, White Sox: Rat Pack night. Juan Pierre is Sammy Davis Jr. Paul Konerko can be Joey Bishop. A.J. Pierzynski probably considers himself Frank Sinatra. But Bobby Jenks is not allowed to play Dean Martin.
Aug. 5, Tigers: All American Girls Professional Baseball League reunion celebration. No crying.
Aug. 8, Brewers: Italian sausage bobblehead. From the famous sausage race. I never sausage a bobblehead.
Aug. 14, Giants: Bruce Bochy bobblehead. Head actual size? (Bochy wears a size 8 cap.)
Aug. 15, Indians: Plush doll of the mustard bottle mascot from the scoreboard hot dog race. This is what it has come to in Cleveland.
Sept. 12, Padres: Padres Hot Wheels car. Smaller than the real thing and needs a push to move. Like the San Diego franchise.
Sept. 17, White Sox: Halfway to St. Patrick's Day. Green White Sox caps given away. Ozzie O'Guillen throws out the first pitch.
Sept. 18, White Sox: Faust Fest. A "bobble-hands" doll giveaway, honoring team organist Nancy Faust.
Sept. 19, Marlins: Marlins ponchos. This promotion can be discontinued in 2012 when the retractable-roof stadium opens.
Sept. 27, Nationals: Team photo and "early bird" 2011 schedule. Because it's always better for Nats fans to look ahead.
Oct. 1, Reds: Scout night campout. Boy and girl scouts and their families can camp out on the field after the game. And when they wake up, it will be Hispanic Heritage Day.
April 6, Angels: Hideki Matsui blankie. Cause nothing is more comforting than a full-time DH.
April 11, Orioles: Plush Chick-Fil-A cows. Mooo rhymes with booo.
April 17, A's: Roy Steele bobblehead. This has to be a first -- a bobblehead of a public-address announcer. Steele has done the PA for the A's since they moved to Oakland in 1968.
April 18, Cubs: Cubs winter scarf. For the cold day in you-know-where when the Cubs win the World Series.
April 24, Reds: Ballpark turf grower. "Grow your own pot of Great American Ball Park turf." Tim Lincecum doesn't need it, thank you.
May 2, Rays: Flying Carl Crawford action figure, with parachute. Before he flies away to a big-market team.
May 7, Pirates: "Established in 1887" Cap. Was that their last winning season?
May 15, Reds: Chuck Harmon 1954 Mesh Jersey. A replica of Harmon's jersey from his debut as the first African-American player in Reds history, similar to those Reds players will wear for the game against the Cardinals.
May 16, Giants: Willie Mays "The Catch" Bobblehead. The Indians are making bobbleheads of Kenny Lofton's home run-robbing catch against B.J. Surhoff in 1996. We're going with Mays.
May 21, Dodgers: "The Empire Strikes Back" night. Commemorative poster celebrating the 30th anniversary of the movie's release. Who can forget Darth McCourt?
May 23, Pirates: Pierogy wind-up racers. Potato Pete, we hope.
May 30, Rays: Carlos Pena toothbrush holder. 'Cause Carlos Pena is all about dental health.
June 3, Mariners: Girls Night Out. "Manicures, massages and more!"
May 6, Phillies: Red foam finger in the shape of the customary Hawaiian "Hang Loose" or "Shaka" sign. In honor of Hawaiian outfielder Shane Victorino.
May 22, Royals: Willie Wilson Classic. Before the Royals-Rockies game, 1985 Royals alumni will face 1985 Cardinals alumni in a softball game, commemorating the word series of 25 years ago. Don Denkinger not invited.
June 8, White Sox: Hawk Harrelson Night. You can put it on the calendar, yessssss!
June 10, Mets: Senior Stroll. Fans 60 and older can take a "leisurely stroll" around the bases at Citi Field. Up-to-date Medicare recommended.
June 11, Giants: Tim Lincecum "rally hair." Two-year contract not included.
June 13, Giants: "Peanuts" Lucy bobblehead. She pulls a playoff berth away from the Giants at the last second. (Hit the Tigers on June 20 for the Charlie Brown bobblehead.)
June 19, Astros: Nolan Ryan bobblehead. Memo to Astros: Ryan is a part owner of the Rangers.
June 26, Rangers: Rangers dip and chips platter. For those "Salty" snacks.
June 28, Orioles: World champion 1970 Orioles 40th-anniversary caps. Cool old cap with orange bill, black top and bird-head logo.
July 10, Diamondbacks: Greg Schulte 2,000th game bobblehead. Schulte, the team's radio play-by-play man since it started in 1998, will call his 2,000th Arizona game this year.
July 10, Rays: Post-game Go-Gos concert. Belinda Carlisle. Enough said.
July 17, Marlins: Marlins cow bell. The "Latin" cow bells will be given away Sept. 18. Not sure if a cow bell sounds different in Spanish.
July 31, Cardinals: Whitey Herzog bobblehead. First team ever to give away white rats.
July 31, White Sox: Rat Pack night. Juan Pierre is Sammy Davis Jr. Paul Konerko can be Joey Bishop. A.J. Pierzynski probably considers himself Frank Sinatra. But Bobby Jenks is not allowed to play Dean Martin.
Aug. 5, Tigers: All American Girls Professional Baseball League reunion celebration. No crying.
Aug. 8, Brewers: Italian sausage bobblehead. From the famous sausage race. I never sausage a bobblehead.
Aug. 14, Giants: Bruce Bochy bobblehead. Head actual size? (Bochy wears a size 8 cap.)
Aug. 15, Indians: Plush doll of the mustard bottle mascot from the scoreboard hot dog race. This is what it has come to in Cleveland.
Sept. 12, Padres: Padres Hot Wheels car. Smaller than the real thing and needs a push to move. Like the San Diego franchise.
Sept. 17, White Sox: Halfway to St. Patrick's Day. Green White Sox caps given away. Ozzie O'Guillen throws out the first pitch.
Sept. 18, White Sox: Faust Fest. A "bobble-hands" doll giveaway, honoring team organist Nancy Faust.
Sept. 19, Marlins: Marlins ponchos. This promotion can be discontinued in 2012 when the retractable-roof stadium opens.
Sept. 27, Nationals: Team photo and "early bird" 2011 schedule. Because it's always better for Nats fans to look ahead.
Oct. 1, Reds: Scout night campout. Boy and girl scouts and their families can camp out on the field after the game. And when they wake up, it will be Hispanic Heritage Day.