2015 Browns Position Previews: Tight Ends/Fullbacks
July 24, 2015This is Larry Doby’s Story: Reliving Yesteryear
July 24, 2015The Cleveland Indians have been scuffling on the field as their chances at the postseason seem to decrease at nearly a direct proportional rate of the increase in trade rumors each day. However, the Indians continue to show some great customer service by jam-packing the weekend with festivities including the long-awaited unveiling of the Larry Doby statue.
Related: WFNY’s Greg Popelka wrote a great piece describing the importance of Larry Doby’s career.
Friday, July 24
- 5-7pm $2 domestic beer in the Right Field District
- Sugardale Dollar Dog Night
- Corey Kluber is pitching
- Fireworks (Mullet Madness)
The Indians get things started with cheap beer, hot dogs, and end the night with fireworks. And, yes, any Corey Kluber start deserves recognition as a promotional event. Hopefully, the team provides some offensive fireworks during the game as well.
Saturday, July 25
- Larry Doby Statue Unveiling
- Larry Doby Replica Statue (to first 12,500 fans)
- Fireworks (Big Band)
Larry Doby will finally stand amongst Bob Feller and Jim Thome as the iconic symbols of the Cleveland Indians past with a statue unveiled outside the right field gate at 4:45pm.
Along with the statue, the Cleveland Indians have previously retired his number 14 (in 1994) and the street behind Progressive Field is aptly named Larry Doby Way (in 2007 for the 60th anniversary of his debut, which broke the color barrier in the American League).
Sunday, July 26
- Slider’s Birthday
- KeyBank Kids Fun Day
- Kids Run the Bases
Ohio-based company Step2 will be at Progressive Field and have many pre-game festivities setup around the Gateway Plaza.
Party plans include:
Step2 on Gateway Plaza: Step2 will have playhouses, coasters, ride-ons and more on Gateway Plaza before the game.
Plus, Step2 will give away one grand prize “Big Backyard,” worth over $1,000. Ten second-place winners will get a new WonderBall Fun House and Home Run Baseball trainer.
American Greetings Birthday Cards for kids to customize for Slider in the Kids Clubhouse and Family Deck.
1,000 mini cupcakes provided by Becker’s Donuts & Bakery and available in the Family Deck.
Surprise Slider birthday present.
Several mascots from around Major League Baseball will be attending the festivities. (All mascots subject to change.)
- Ace (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Gapper (Cincinnati Reds)
- Orbit (Houston Astros)
- Paws (Detroit Tigers)
- Phillie Phanatic (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Screech (Washington Nationals)
- Stomper (Oakland Athletics)
A mascot group photo will be held in the Family Deck beginning at 11:30AM.
6 Comments
I’m sure Larry Doby would be proud to be sharing his well deserved moment the same weekend as the Indians mascot celebrated his birthday had he not been dead for the last 12 years! I think the PR department is following the lead of the front office lately with the timing of promotions as well as promotions in general. I think the renovations and all the deals on beers has made them lazy.
Slider’s birthday celebration is a yearly event and by including Doby on Saturday, they have made the Indians an event-driven focus for the weekend. I think it is smart planning myself.
Doby gets his own day (Saturday).
Right because a mascot deserves a day, every year too, just as much as Larry Doby! Bob Feller is rolling over in his grave as is Jim Thome.
Why?
Kids love Slider and mascots and Step2 (coasters, slides, etc.) and cupcakes and parties. Why not do something fun for the kids before the game? I just don’t understand any reason to be upset here.
Indians just turn me off man what can I say if it’s not their play it’s the rest of this crap. The kids have enough hell they have their own area for Gods sake no wonder the rugrats don’t wanna watch the actual game. Wait did you say cupcakes? Reconsidering.
But truthfully I just think the time the Indians finally recognized Doby and themselves and their history could have been done better. Now had this been Jim Thome’s statue debut I wouldn’t have cared but at least they gave Feller his statue first. All be it not the day before Slider’s birthday festivities.
A lot of adults love him too. I may not be thrilled with the product on the field but the marketing and public relations people do a nice job.