One of last season’s funniest promos is being expanded for 2016, as the Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will take the field as the Fresno Tacos for all 10 Tuesday home games at Chukchansi Park this season. It’s Taco Tuesdays, writ large!
The 2015 promo was pretty simple: over 18,000 people came Downtown Fresno for the annual Taco Truck Throwdown, and the team participated with a one-off Fresno Tacos promo. So the theme was extended, as Taco Tuesdays will also feature a different local taco truck for each game. And, of course, the team will be at home for the 6th Annual Taco Truck Throwdown, which will take place on Thursday, August 18 as the Tacos take on Omaha.
New Fresno Tacos jerseys and caps — with a twist of lime — have been unveiled for the 10 Tuesday home games, as shown above. New Fresno Tacos merchandise will be for sale at the Grizzlies Team Store as the season approaches. And what could be better than a new foam taco hat (shown at right)?
And, to add to the merchandise bonanza, much of the new schwag will feature “Tito the Taco.” Parker is the Fresno Grizzlies mascot, but he’ll be joined by the new mascot.
“Last season, there was some speculation that we might become the Fresno Tacos permanently, but to be sure, we’re prouder than ever of the Fresno Grizzlies,” said Grizzlies General Manager Derek Franks. “Coming off our first Pacific Coast League and Triple-A National Championship in franchise history, Growlifornia Republic is alive and growing. But we saw how special the Fresno Tacos were to our fans for just one night, and there’s no harm in multiplying that pride times 10 this season.”
One more piece of trivia. The only team appearing twice at Chukchansi Park this season on Taco Tuesday: the TACO-ma Rainiers. Ouch.