The minor league St. Paul Saints announced on July 31st (if there is a season) they will be giving away Astro the Grouch bobbleheads. Since there might not be a season they are selling them now for $35.
I admit that I didn't know who the St. Paul Saints were before this thread. "Minor league" may be somewhat of a confusing term since they're not actually a minor league affiliate of any MLB team. They're a member of the American Association of Independent Baseball according to their wiki page and have been around off and on in some form since 1896. Interesting. Anyway, so here's the promotion. Since they don't appear to have any connection to any MLB team or fanbase, it seems like is just something they just decided to do. (I wonder if they got licensing permission from the Astros first. That would be an interesting conversation with Astros marketing.) From the website:
I think it is hilarious, but questionable whether they can legally sell something that rips off 3 copyrights (Orbit, Astros, & Oscar the Grouch).
Yes "minor league" isn't the exact term but that's what they're referred to as even though they aren't an affiliate their league isn't considered major. FYI there is some talks about them becoming an affiliate of the Twins. As far as them getting permission from the Stros I have no idea. My guess is under fair use as a parody it might legal.
It seems pretty low-risk on their part. They get lots of free publicity. If the Astros order them to stop, they just stop the promotion and get even more publicity (plus bad publicity for the Astros).
That's just funny. I don't have enough energy for sour grapes; I used it all fuming at Manfred's sickening hypocrisy. Kudos to the team and their marketing group. I don't think they were the first, and they won't be the last. Orbit, by the way, is the best mascot in the majors now IMO. That shtick with Archer a few years back was hilarious.
I want one. The Astros would be idiots to even acknowledge this. This is the Streisand effect waiting to happen, and they even went ahead and attached a charity to it as well. Only more PR downside and virtually nothing to gain.
Hopefully in the same consecrated and secured grave as "buff Orbit" from the 90s. *shudders* Ugh, it's worse than I remember.
If it wasn't $35 if buy one. Didn't know it was tied to charity, so maybe I'll still get one (ick only 10% to charity).