In honor of the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Lexington CV-16, the Corpus Christi Hooks (Class AA; Texas League) will become the Blue Ghosts from June 21-23.
“The USS Lexington is a national treasure that lives in our backyard,” team general manager Wes Weigle said. “She holds more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation, and we are privileged to pay her homage. By taking the field as the Blue Ghosts, we salute her crew’s sacrifice during WWII, as well as show solidarity with all the past and present servicemen and women who call the Coastal Bend home. It’s going to be a great weekend.”
Commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943, the USS Lexington served the Fifth Fleet during World War II. The famed aircraft carrier was engaged in nearly every operation in the Pacific Theater, and toiled for 21 months in combat. The Japanese reported the Lexington sunk no less than four times, earning her the nickname “The Blue Ghost.”
“The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay has enjoyed a close partnership with the Corpus Christi Hooks for many years,” USS Lexington Museum on the Bay executive director Steve Banta said. “On behalf of the staff and volunteers on board the Lexington, we are honored the Hooks have chosen to commemorate this historic ship by taking on the name of the Blue Ghosts during their June 21-23 series. We look forward to an exciting weekend at Whataburger Field!”
As part of the LEX-inspired weekend at Whataburger Field, fans will receive Jose Altuve retro Blue Ghosts bobbleheads from Wigington Rumley Dunn & Blair on Saturday, June 23.
Blue Ghosts was among the monikers considered for the Corpus Christi Baseball Club prior to its 2005 entry into the Texas League. This June 21-23 event affords fans a look at what might have been.
“We wanted to memorialize the Lexington in a way never seen before in sports,” Hooks director of marketing J.D. Davis said. “The logos and uniform are influenced by sailor tattoos. This artwork reflects the time, and captures how crewmates expressed themselves. Folks who live outside Corpus Christi may ask ‘where’s the ghost?’ This question gives us the opportunity to tell the Lexington’s story, and convey how much she means to our country.”
Fans can take home the game-worn Blue Ghosts jerseys via a silent auction.