The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Phillies AAA affiliate in the International League, have received plenty of attention over the years for their giveaways and promotions during the season. This year, their three bobblehead giveaways are three of the most absurd giveaways I’ve seen.
BREAKING: IronPigs announce first three 2015 giveaways! Bobbleheads of Maikel Franco, Kenny Giles & Charlie Manuel. pic.twitter.com/OZ7h1hhC5K
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) February 4, 2015
So, what the hell ARE these bobbleheads? I’ll let the IronPigs explain.
The first bobblehead giveaway of the season – commemorating Maikel Franco hitting for the cycle on Aug. 23, 2014, against the Syracuse Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park – is slated for Saturday, April 11. This highly-unique bobblehead depicts Franco riding a unicycle to symbolize this historic moment in franchise history. Just two days later on Monday, April 13, the IronPigs will honor the winningest manager in Phillies history, Charlie Manuel, with his very own bobblehead keepsake.
The final bobblehead giveaway of the season featuring Kenny “100 Miles” Giles will be awarded on Monday, May 11, and features an odometer on the base of the giveaway to recognize Giles’ hard-throwing achievements. The 24-year-old flamethrower struck out 64 batters in just 45.2 innings during his rookie season last year with the Phillies after starting the season in Double-A.
Let’s recap the bobbleheads as succinctly as possible, shall we?
-Maikel Franco on a unicycle.
-Charlie Manuel in a Hawaiian shirt.
-Ken Giles standing on an odometer.
This organization is ridiculous in the best way possible.
