Promotional giveaways are a treat when you go to the ballpark, like icing on the cake of taking in a Major League game. And increasingly clubs are becoming more and more clever in their homage to former players, managers, broadcasters and other important figures in franchise history.
The Mets are giving away something at Citi Field prior to their May 29 game against the Marlins that commemorates one of the most humorous moments in team -- and baseball -- history.
That would be a pair of sunglasses and a mustache in honor of former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who defied an ejection from a 1999 game by returning to the dugout in such a “fool-proof” disguise.
On June 9, 1999, the Mets hosted the Blue Jays at Shea Stadium. With the game tied, 3-3, in the 12th inning, Valentine called for a pitchout to prevent the runner at first base -- Shannon Stewart -- from stealing his way into scoring position. Pat Mahomes, who was pitching, threw the pitchout to catcher Mike Piazza.
Piazza stepped forward and fired to second. Stewart had the base stolen, but home-plate umpire Randy Marsh ruled that Piazza went too far out in front of home plate to make the throw.
Well, Bobby V was having none of that. Valentine came out of the dugout and argued the call, eventually being ejected from the game.
At the urging of Mets third baseman Robin Ventura and pitcher Orel Hershiser, Valentine returned wearing sunglasses (during a night game) and a mustache fashioned out of eye-black stickers.
The moment became instantly iconic for its silliness, and the Mets will commemorate it in a way that will enable each of the first 15,000 fans at Citi Field on May 29 to participate in the gag some 27 years later.