Several minor league baseball clubs across the country went a bit beyond offering discounted tickets and hot dogs to service members this month, instead paying tribute with a gesture that's part keepsake, part cultural tradition.
Plus, if you've got doubles, they'll make your bicycle sound amazing.
Collectible card decks featuring current and former service members were part of giveaway packages for teams in various locations, with some clubs timing their honors for Memorial Day weekend. One of the highest profile offerings came from the Columbia, South Carolina, Fireflies — a Class A minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Mets that has seen national media attention (and an attendance boost) thanks to outfielder Tim Tebow.
Firefly fans nominated about 100 service members for inclusion in what became a 26-card deck, said Abby Naas, the team's vice president for marketing and public relations. Among the selections: an Army Ranger with seven deployments and two Purple Hearts; a 91-year-old veteran who fought on Peleliu and Okinawa; and Army Spc. Thomas Caughman, who died June 9, 2004, when his Humvee was hit by an explosive device and small-arms fire in Baghdad.
Selected service members and their families were honored by the team Monday when the Fireflies blasted the Augusta GreenJackets 14-2 in a rain-shortened seven-inning affair. One thousand fans received a deck, and honorees received a stack of 100 cards with their image.
"It’s a very limited bunch of people that get a baseball card in their lifetime, so this kind of gives a whole new realm of people this opportunity," said Naas, who credited AllSouth Federal Credit Union with the sponsorship assist.
One of the military cards that makes up the Wilmington Blue Rocks giveaway set.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Other teams with other sponsors debuted similar sets over the weekend, or unveiled them as part of Military Appreciation Month efforts. The Wilmington Blue Rocksgave their cards away on Sunday prior to posting a 4-3 win over the Potomac (Virginia) Nationals. The Delaware club, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, also gave out 1,000 packs.
It marked the third year the Blue Rocks have created a card set, taking nominees on a first-come, first-served basis. The Toyota-sponsored cards even have stats on the back: service branch, years in uniform and rank.
"They really enjoy the cards, and I think they’re valued by the families," said Kevin Linton, the team's director of community affairs. "It means a lot to them, to the nominator, to have the opportunity to honor these folks."
Three of the cards that were given out by the Bradenton Marauders earlier this month.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Bradenton Marauders
Staffers with the Bradenton (Florida) Maraudersgot an assist from the Manatee County Veterans Council as they assembled their deck for the second year, said Rachelle Madrigal, the team's general manager.
Council staff reviewed the applications "just to make sure everything’s accurate, and to make sure we’re recognizing the individuals we want to be recognizing," Madrigal said. "It’s fantastic. They’re great partners. They know the military better than anybody else … we’re relying on their expertise."
Fans received the 12-card, Miller High Life-sponsored set on May 13, while honorees picked up 50 cards with their image, plus a plaque recognizing them as a "Marauders Military Hero." Among the honorees: Lt. Col. Robert Friend, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, and Winifred "Wendy" Hobson, who served the Navy as one of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, better known as the WAVES.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
