Usually minor-league teams hand out commemorative to honor someone’s accomplishments. But the Charleston RiverDogs are taking a different tack, mocking the wacky state of political affairs of their home state by handing out statues of a proposed local landmark with the face of Alvin Greene taped on. In short: The RiverDogs seized on the craziness of South Carolina and extended it to what had been a pretty dull promotion featuring a statue of a proposed tourist attraction.
For those who aren’t political junkies: Alvin Greene was the upset winner in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate over the endorsed candidate. He came from nowhere to run; the suspicions are that he was put up for the office by Republicans. He’s also a little crazy: he proposed the state close its budget gap by issuing action figures featuring him in various poses. (Not the first time a crazy politician proposed the same thing: Jesse Ventura did the same thing when he was governor of Minnesota.) The RiverDogs seized on the craziness and extended it to what had been a pretty dull promotion featuring a statue of a proposed tourist attraction.
Here’s the press release from the RiverDogs:
The grass in the outfield isn’t the only thing looking a little Greene at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park these days.
On Saturday, July 17, the Charleston RiverDogs are taking the initiative and going Green: Alvin Greene that is.
With all the talk earlier this year of a “Mr. Lady Liberty” statue at nearby Patriot Point, the RiverDogs already planned to give away miniature “Mr. Lady Liberty” statues to the first 1,000 fans in attendance as part of their “Be Your Own Statue” night on Saturday, July 17, against the Augusta GreenJackets. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Reacting to Mr. Greene’s plans for economic development, the Charleston ballclub has decided to make two ends meet, and place Mr. Greene’s face on these figurines.
The Democratic Senate hopeful stated recently that in an effort to reduce the state’s high unemployment rate, action figures in his likeness should be created and sold.
“Little dolls. Me. Like maybe little action dolls. Me in an Army uniform, Air Force uniform and me in my suit,” said the candidate.
“We were already excited for our ‘Be Your Own Statue’ night even before Mr. Greene served up this lob,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “Who better epitomizes the American dream that anything is possible than Mr. Greene?”
Taking a cue from the Manning native, the RiverDogs will set up an economic stimulus station on the stadium’s concourse. Special workers — hired specifically for this game — will be available at the station to place cutouts of Mr. Greene’s face on fans’ statues, completing the ultimate “Mr. Lady Liberty” figurine.
Even the RiverDogs’ Souvenir Shop is getting in campaign mode. Inspired by Mr. Greene’s attire during his acceptance speech, the club is also giving fans the chance to make their own family reunion t-shirts at the heat press located just outside the store.
For a team renowned for its antics, having fun is nothing new for the New York Yankees’ Single-A ballclub, the celebration of the American Dream and the economic boost provided by the “Be Your Own Statue” night are just an added bonus.
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they’re posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!