The team attracted a sellout crowd to Lake Olmstead Stadium with a promotion featuring mockery of suspended star Manny Ramirez — the Mother of All Idiots — and cheap juice boxes.
The Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) attacted a sellout crowd with a promotion honoring the “Mother of All Idiots,” Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez, on “Mother of All Idiots Night” Saturday.
Ramirez, suspended for 50 games as a result of his violation of Major League Baseball’s Drug Policy, will forfeit more than $7 million of his $25 million salary as a result of the games he’ll miss.
To commemorate the occasion, any fan named “Manny,” wearing dreadlocks, or proving a positive test for a banned substance of any sort received free admission to the ballpark and on-field recognition as part of the celebration — and were soundly booed by the sellout crowd. In addition, fans that wore Dodgers, Indians or Red Sox jerseys got in free and were recognized between innings. However, these fans were subjected to crowd booing.
Ballpark concession stands also sold “Juice” boxes for 50 cents for one night only, in recognition of the suspension received by the juiced Ramirez. The team sold them all right after the game started.
"Anyone who loses a third of their salary because they can’t play by the rules has to be the ‘Mother of All Idiots,’" said General Manager Nick Brown. "We want to hold an event to speak out against those who have tarnished the integrity of the great game of baseball."
The GreenJackers also unveiled a new ticket package in conjunction with the promotion. The “Manny Ramirez Package” allowed fans to purchase partial season tickets to all 55 remaining home games (beginning May 20th) for the price of 50 games in honor of Ramirez’s 50-game suspension. Box seats will be available for $381.15, Reserved section seats will be $294.75 and General Admission seats will go for $235.80 as part of the prorated ticket plan.