February 27, 2025

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

Major league teams have long since announced their promotional schedule. However, we’ve discovered some last-minute additions.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

April 28 vs Miami: One lucky fan will be picked to be the Player To Be Named Later the next time the Dodgers want to trade for a Marlins player.

May 16 vs. Angels: In honour of the Dodgers’ relationship with the Angels, the first 40,000 fans get to bring their little brother in free.

Any Wednesday afternoon: Deferred Beer day. Instead of paying $14 for a beer, fans can pay $3 and pay the next $11 over the next 40 years.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

June 9 vs. Dodgers: First 40,000 fans are allowed to take a picture of any Dodger’s World Series ring.

June 25 vs. Washington: Juan Soto bobblehead night, as the doll wears a Nationals cap and a Padres jersey, and also carries a suitcase.

Sept. 1 vs. Baltimore: Chargers Night. In honour of the departed NFL team, a cannon goes off when the Padres score their first run, and before they blow a 7-2 lead in the ninth.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

April 22 vs. Tampa Bay: Ketel Marte Night. First 25,000 fans get two free mini-bottles of Ketel One, along with a $20 Uber voucher.

May 30 vs. Washington: Fans who can verify that their radiators blew up on the way to Chase Field get a can of coolant, autographed by Torey Lovullo.

Aug. 10 vs. Colorado: Recount Night. Perennial candidate Keri Lake disputes Colorado’s 6-3 lead after the sixth inning, sets up an emergency court session at the outfield pool.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

May 3 vs. Colorado: Almost Bobblehead Night. Fans get an Aaron Judge doll, in a Giants’ uniform.

June 17 vs. Cleveland: Snatch ‘n’ Grab Night: Giants set up a simulated Walgreens in Triples Alley and fans get 60 seconds to make off with toiletries.

July 29 vs. Pittsburgh: Candlestick Night. To remind the spoiled fans in the current ballpark what they’re missing, the Giants set up giant wind machines in the corners and restrict attendance to 6,231. Special appearance by the Krazy Krab.

COLORADO ROCKIES

April 26 vs. Cincinnati: Ralphie The Buffalo Night. The beloved University of Colorado mascot takes batting practice against the Rockies staff. Last time that happened, he hit two home runs.

June 11 vs. San Francisco: Charlie Blackmon Night. In honour of the retired outfielder, fans were asked on Opening Day to quit shaving until the Rockies reached .500. Those whose beards have become bird habitats get lifetime passes.

August 6 vs. Toronto: The first 20,000 fans get free ERA calculators to see how these Rockies’ pitchers rank in team history.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

April 14 vs. Detroit: In honour of Bud Selig, the Brewers use replacement workers at all concession stands and parking lots.

June 24 vs. Pittsburgh: Badger Night. Fans line up for the Sausage Races to see how many of them can outrun the Wisconsin football team.

August 26 vs. Arizona: The first 25,000 fans get a miniature Oscar award, the kind Bob Uecker should have won for playing Harry Doyle in “Major League.”

CHICAGO CUBS

May 14 vs. Miami: To commemorate the most famous Marlins-Cubs game in history, spectator Moises Alou knocks the ball out of the glove of left fielder Steve Bartman.

August 4 vs. Cincinnati: For this 7:05 p.m. start, the first 25,000 fans receive a “No Lights In Wrigley” T-shirt and wonder what the fuss was all about.

September 12 vs. Tampa Bay: All firefighters in the Chicagoland area get a free ticket but are required to sit within 200 feet of the Cubs’ bullpen.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

June 9 vs. Toronto: First 35,000 fans get a Bob Gibson bobblehead, in which he is foaming at the mouth upon hearing of the Cardinals’ complete-game total in 2024 (zero).

August 12 vs. San Diego: Alumni Night. Ex-Cardinals Zac Gallen, Marcell Ozuna, Adolis Garcia, Randy Arozarena, Tommy Edman and Sandy Alcantara return with their various awards and World Series rings to congratulate general manager John Mozeliak on keeping his job.

September 2 vs. Athletics: Loyalty Night. At the end of another brutal summer, the club honours its season-ticket holders with IVs and cases of Pedialyte.

CINCINNATI REDS

May 13 vs. White Sox: It’s 1919 Night. A 3-judge panel watches the Reds beat the White Sox again and tries to determine if the Sox were trying.

July 9 vs. Miami: Fans are treated to the opening of the Pete Rose Memorial Head-First Parlay Parlor inside Great American Ballpark.

September 3 vs. Toronto: First 30,000 fans get a Hunter Greene bobblehead with a black uniform, so they can paint the logo of the team that will sign him in 2029. Only blue paint is provided.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

May 3 vs. San Diego: Self-Preservation Night. The first 800 fans to sit near the first-base line are given helmets and first-aid kits, in light of the 26 errors committed by shortstop Oneil Cruz in 2024.

June 4 vs. Houston: Tall Tales Night. A dozen Pirate fans who are at least 46 years old amuse the crowd by claiming the Pirates actually won a World Series in 1979.

July 22 vs. Detroit: Paul Skenes Bobblehead Night. The Rookie of the Year is shown releasing one of his 100 mph fastballs while his girlfriend Livvy Dunne gives him his weekly allowance.

NEW YORK METS

May 1 vs. Arizona: Sean Manaea Bobblehead Night for the first 40,000 fans. The hair also serves as a handy place to store 7 Train tokens.

July 2 vs. Milwaukee: Pete Alonso Go Fund Me Night. Proceeds from the $11 pretzels and $23 burgers will go to alleviate Alonso’s paltry $54 million, two-year deal.

July 22 vs Angels: Mr. Met Night. The beloved, swollen-headed mascot will be occupied by various luminaries during the season. First up: Mayor Eric Adams.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

April 17 vs. San Francisco: Eagles Night. The Super Bowl champions are honoured at Citizens Bank Park and all goes well until Saquon Barkley discovers he’s making 11 million fewer dollars than Taijuan Walker.

June 30 vs. San Diego: Topper Night. Fans are invited to text their complaints about manager Rob Thomson (Corunna, Ont.), who entered the season with a .575 winning percentage. The State Bureau of Investigation is monitoring.

Sept. 12 vs. Kansas City: Blind Justice Night. District attorney Larry Krasner, stung by criticism that he is too lenient on crime, prosecutes the Phillies’ bullpen for obstruction of victory.

ATLANTA BRAVES

April 18 vs. Minnesota: Open Mic Night. Those fans who have spent seven innings eating and imbibing in the right field Chop House are given the microphone and asked to pronounce “Spencer Schwellenbach.”

June 14 vs. Colorado: The first 35,000 fans get a nostalgic double Deion Sanders bobblehead, in which he is shown playing an NFL game and a N.L. playoff game without hitting anything.

Sept. 6 vs. Seattle: Archaeology Night. Select fans are invited to dig for the remnants of the Braves’ playoff losses in the 90s and 00s, most of them buried in the Braves’ bullpen.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

May 5 vs. Cleveland: The first 15,000 fans get a Stephen Strasburg bobblehead, with the hero of the 2019 World Series driving off in a Maserati with his arm in a sling.

July 22 vs. Cincinnati: In honour of lefthander Patrick Corbin, who has won 33 and lost 70 for the Nationals, 10 lucky fans will win a drawing for an L wedge.

Sept. 12 vs. Pittsburgh: DOGE Night. The grounds crew is given 15 minutes to gather its belongings and leave Nationals Park, but the orders are rescinded 30 minutes later.

MIAMI MARLINS

May 3 vs. Athletics: The Marlins announce a loyalty program. Any fan that attends 15 Marlins games in a season gets free admission to Miami Jai Alai for a year.

July 2 vs. Minnesota: ICE Night. Immigration officials scour payroll documents and pick up any Marlin who is paying over $750,000. Those players are deported to New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta at the first opportunity.

Aug. 20 vs. St. Louis: Library Night. Any U of Miami or Florida International students who need quiet study time are allowed to use Marlins Park for at least two hours.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

HOUSTON ASTROS

May 13 vs. Kansas City: Josh Hader Bobblehead Night for the first 30,000 fans. Warning: The head cannot be bobbled on consecutive nights.

July 24 vs. Athletics: Fans can pick up a Mike Fiers dartboard for only $29.99 in the gift shop.

August 15 vs. Baltimore: A Jose Altuve Growth Chart is available just in time for school. Only children 8 and under are eligible.

TEXAS RANGERS

May 26 vs. Toronto: Fans are invited to stick around after the Memorial Day game to watch Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA’s Western Conference title.

June 14 vs. White Sox: Jacob DeGrom Rehab Night. Fans can either pay $32.99 for a Boomstick Triple Play (turkey burger, nachos) or they can donate a tendon that deGrom might use in his next surgery.

Aug. 23 vs. Cleveland: Pride Night. The Rangers’ in-game music will feature songs by Charley Pride, the country singer who often took batting practice with the club and died in 2020. What did you think it was? Texas, remember.

SEATTLE MARINERS

April 29 vs. Angels: Gray Grunge Night. Songs by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains will be played pregame, postgame and between innings. Those who arrive in grungewear and are 55 or older will be admitted at half-price.

June 30 vs. Kansas City: Guaranteed Run Night. If the Mariners fail to score, as they did nine times in 2024, all fans will get priority for tickets to the first World Series game in club history this fall. Or a ticket to Alex Rodriguez’s Hall of Fame induction, whichever comes first.

August 26 vs. San Diego: The first 35,000 fans get a Julio Rodriguez bobblehead, with the doll looking backwards at 2022 and 2023.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

May 23 vs. Miami: The first 30,000 fans will be presented with an official Anthony Rendon bedpan.

July 24 vs. Seattle: Salvation Army Night. Fans will be asked to contribute whatever they can to the Arte Moreno Sovereign Wealth Fund, after the owner of the Angels said the franchise would lose $50 million in 2025.

August 19 vs. Cincinnati: Eight Isn’t Enough Night. This giveaway is a delicious pastry in the shape of an “8,” referring to the number of World Series titles the Dodgers and Angels have combined to win since 1958.

ATHLETICS

May 25 vs. Philadelphia: On “Meet The Governor” night, Gavin Newsom visits the ballpark in Sacramento, pledges $220 million in disaster relief for the roster.

July 12 vs. Toronto: John Fisher Bobblehead Night, in honour of the Athletics owner, is canceled when the boxes are kidnapped and held in an Oakland halfway house. A ceramic ear arrives at the ballpark, upsetting the staff.

August 26 vs Detroit: Fans are asked to vote on the site of possible playoff games for the A’s. Fisher says he’s leaning toward Half Dome “because we’ll be on the road during the other half.”

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

April 30 vs. Minnesota: The first 30,000 fans get an Emamanuel Clase bobblehead, without noticing that it has an expiration date in mid-October.

July 23 vs. Baltimore: Fans line up to meet Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Haysbert and other cast members from “Major League,” before they depart for the Old Vic in London and a 10-week run of “MacBeth.”

August 25 vs. Tampa Bay: Albert Belle is the bobblehead on this night. Fans are assured that it has been declawed.

DETROIT TIGERS

April 20 vs. Kansas City: Tigers fans are offered 50 percent off a game ticket if they attend the ceremony that renames Interstate 75 the Spencer Torkelson Freeway, between Detroit and Toledo.

May 27 vs. San Francisco: In honour of Justin Verlander’s return, Tigers give the first 25,000 fans a tube of Just For Men.

July 29 vs. Arizona: A DVD of “The Natural 2,” starring Kerry Carpenter and Wonderboy 2, is available in the Comerica Park gift shop.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

April 23 vs. Colorado: Royals distribute a bobblehead of part-owner Patrick Mahomes, and make sure he knows that Bobby Witt Jr. has never been sacked.

June 14 vs. Athletics: As Missouri and Kansas fight over a proposed new stadium, the Royals confuse their fans by handing out a bobblehead of John Brown.

September 12 vs. White Sox: Royals honour 34-year-old catcher Salvador Perez with a bobblehead that has him using a flip phone.

MINNESOTA TWINS:

May 8 vs. Baltimore: Twins offer a bobblehead of Byron Buxton but they double-bubble-wrap it and advise customers to keep it refrigerated.

June 23 vs. Seattle: The first 18,000 fans get a 20 percent discount on jumper cables, and Gov. Tim Walz is available if anyone needs a jump.

August 15 vs. Detroit: The 1965 AL champs stage a 60th anniversary reunion, and Jim Kaat covers first base on Tony Oliva’s grounder to second.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

May 11 vs. San Francisco: For their first 10,000 fans, White Sox give out a Michael Jordan poster from 1993 spring training. It’s appropriate since Jordan is hitting leadoff and playing second base.

July 25 vs. Washington: White Sox sponsor 13-year-old Jason Kelly of Schaumberg for a scholarship at a private school after he correctly recites the score of all 41 Sox wins in 2024.

August 20 vs. Athletics: White Sox attempt to lure fans by pricing all tickets at $5, but one former season-ticket holder tells the Sun-Times that “I’m going to need a lot more money than that.”

NEW YORK YANKEES

May 20 vs. Texas: A bobblehead of Babe Ruth with “a well-groomed beard” is snapped up quickly by the first 45,000 fans.

July 29 vs. Tampa Bay: A video of Gerrit Cole covering first base at UCLA is quickly removed from the Yankee store.

Aug. 11 vs. Minnesota: In a pregame ceremony, fans get to watch the Yankees enshrine Paul Goldschmidt in Monuments Park, just to get him out of the way.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

April 18 vs. Cleveland: A rule prohibiting bobbleheads for sub-.200 hitters keeps the Orioles from honouring Jackson Holiday.

May 27 vs. Tampa Bay: Orioles are momentarily thrown off when they hear rumors that Gunnar Henderson Bobblehead Day is already on the Dodgers’ 2029 promotional schedule.

August 8 vs. Athletics: Thanks to layoffs at the FDA, the Orioles advise fans not to try the black crab cakes.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

April 29 vs. Kansas City: The Rays give away umbrellas to the first 5,000 fans at Steinbrenner Field, who discover that rain can be a factor in a roofless stadium experience.

July 22 vs. White Sox: Fans who purchase at least $40 of merchandise are invited to join the Rays’ Injured Pitchers Book Club.

Sept. 17 vs. Toronto: As negotiations continue to drag for a new ballpark in St. Petersburg, Rays give away rare vinyl copies of Bob Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline.”

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

May 16 vs. Detroit: The Blue Jays redesign their Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bobblehead so that one of his feet is out the door of Rogers Centre.

June 18 vs. Arizona: Kevin Gausman’s bobblehead goes to the first 30,000 fans. It depicts him as Iron Man, thanks to his league-leading two (2) complete games.

July 19 vs. San Francisco: Blue Jays give fans T-shirts that taunt the Giants by referring to California as the “11th province.”

BOSTON RED SOX

May 17 vs. Detroit: The first 28,000 fans get a bobblehead that shows Rafael Devers hugging third base.

June 20 vs. White Sox: The Red Sox have a big hit on their hands when they give away “Yankees Suck” license-plate holders, embroidered pillows and litter boxes.

August 2 vs. Kansas City: In their back-to-school package, the Sox give kids 10 and under a history of the franchise, including the day that Mookie Betts mysteriously disappeared and was later found in a monastery.