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Don’t Count the Patriots Out Yet

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It certainly feels like strange days in Foxobro. Playing in front of empty seats at Gillette Stadium, and in mostly empty stadiums on the road, the Patriots have stumbled out of the gate. At 2-3, they find themselves with a losing record after five games for the first time since 2002. Even more alarming, they are currently 11th in the AFC. 11th! It will take a lot of work, and maybe even some luck, for the Patriots to extend their NFL record of consecutive playoff appearances to 12 this season. Still, I’m not counting them out yet.

It’s not unusual for the Patriots to get out to slow starts. The 2001 team was 3-4 on Halloween and the 2003 team started out 2-2 before finding it’s groove and winning 15 straight en route to a Super Bowl championship. More recently, the 2014 team fell to
2-2 after getting shellacked in Kansas City. We all know how that season ended up.

The 2018 team stumbled to a 1-2 start after back-to-back losses at Jacksonville and Detroit.

It’s well established that this team treats September like an extension of the preseason as it tries to get all of its pieces to fit together, and hopefully not peak too early. Why then would 2020 be any different? With a new quarterback and no preseason at all in 2020, on top of COVID-19 to deal with, it shouldn’t be surprising at all if it takes a few extra weeks for Bill and Josh and the gang to figure things out this season. But I’m still confident that they will.

Don’t forget that the Patriots have only played one divisional game so far this year. That means they have five AFC East games left. That includes two games against the Jets and two games against the first-place Bills who have recently fallen back to earth. That gives the Patriots a lot of control over their own destiny over the next 11 weeks.

Keep in mind seven teams from each conference will make the playoffs this year. That alone gives the Patriots a better chance to get back to the playoffs. Should they right the ship and find themselves playing in January again, they’ll have a better chance to make some noise this year than they did last year.

With seven teams making the playoffs, only the #1 seed will get a bye. Assuming the Patriots make the playoffs but are not the #1 seed, if they win wild card weekend they may not have to play team coming off a bye week in the divisional round. Only the lowest remaining team after wild card weekend will have to play a team coming off a bye. That’s huge for a lower seeded team.

Even without the #1 seed, the Patriots still could get a bye week before the playoffs. With many teams’ regular season bye weeks now in the rearview mirror, it likely won’t take many more COVID reschedulings to necessitate a Week 18. That could turn out to be a bye week for the Patriots. But even if the Patriots are one of the teams that has to play in a Week 18, it would at least get them one more weekend off along the way before the playoffs.

Aside from the scheduling and timing of potential playoff games for the Patriots, the location and atmosphere of games could also prove to be an important factor. If they are not in a position to host playoff games, at worst they’re on the road in a partially-filled stadium. That’s not the same challenge as heading into packed houses in Kansas City, Pittsburgh or Denver. However, there’s also the possibility that all playoff games could be a neutral sites.

Until the baseball players agreed to play the MLB playoffs at bubble sites, the idea of NFL playoff games at bubble sites would have seemed unthinkable. But if the league sees more COVID-19 cases over the next 11 weeks, and not fewer cases, what’s to stop them from trying to host the playoffs in bubbles? It’s easy to see the AFC playoffs being held in Dallas and the NFC playoffs being held in Houston. The league could play one game a day at each site, Saturday, Sunday and Monday for wild card weekend. Think of the ratings! The Patriots would have much better chances in a partially-filled neutral site stadium than in a true road game.

There’s still a lot of football to be played and who knows what the next shoe to drop will be. That being said, the Patriots are still in this thing. They’ve got a coach chasing the all-time wins record and a quarterback still out to prove himself and get back on the quarterback A-list. Not a bad duo to have leading the charge.

All I’m saying is, don’t count them out yet.

SNL Returns Tomorrow Night

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In welcome news, Saturday Night Live will make its return tomorrow night with its first live broadcast from Studio 8H since March 7. The return of SNL will hopefully give at least a small sense of normalcy back to the country tomorrow night, and help lift the spirits of a beleaguered city.

Even before the pandemic and the shutdown, it wasn’t too often that I found myself out past midnight on a Saturday night (though, unlike Red, I refuse to use the term “washed”). Speaking for myself, I need this and am ready for this. Considering that in many parts of the country you still need to order a full meal of food in order to drink in public, there should be lots of people home tomorrow night and this episode should do monster ratings.

While I don’t like to make any comparisons to 9/11, this episode could have a similar vibe to the show’s first episode back after the terrorist attacks in 2001. With all that has happened over the last seven months, over the last week, and in the last 24 hours, I’m sure the cast and writers are still trying to figure out what to lead with and what tone to strike. But I’m certain that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will still be front and center…

It doesn’t hurt to have a former cast member, and one of the best stand-up comics of all time, Chris Rock as host this week. Whatever tone the episode strikes, I’m confident that Chris Rock will hit it out of the park. It also looks like the show will have at least a limited studio audience based on tickets being made available. Free tickets AND a COVID test? If I lived in New York City I would sign up for that deal in a second. Probably still easier than getting a test at CVS.

Based on tickets possibly being made available, it looks like there could be episodes each of the five Saturdays this month, leading up the election the first Tuesday of November. While SNL usually doesn’t do that many new episodes in a row, and the fact that no other hosts or musical guests have been named for this month, it could be a chance to strike while the iron is hot. Maybe they’ll see how things go this week?

The path to reopening the country, getting back to work, and regaining some sense of normalcy is going to be long and challenging. We could all use a few laughs to relieve some anxiety along the way. So practice social distancing, wear a mask, and stay home and tune in Saturday night. That’s what I’ll be doing, and rooting for SNL to help bring back even just a little bit of normalcy to my weekend routine.

Jim Carrey to Play Joe Biden on SNL This Fall

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SNL returns from its coronavirus hiatus and kicks off a new season October 3, and with the election only a month later we all expected to see a lot of politics on the show this October. We got a clue of what to expect today, as the show announced that Jim Carrey will be playing Joe Biden this fall.

Just like he did with Trump four years ago, Lorne Michaels is pulling in a ringer to play Joe Biden this season. While it’s always a bit disappointing to see a big role like this go to a guest and not a cast member, this could work. About 6’2, 180 pounds, big teeth, kinda gangly? Yeah, this could definitely work.

Even with last season cut short due to coronavirus, Joe Biden was still able to make quite a few appearances. “Joe Biden” appeared on six of SNL’s 15 live shows last year. The role was a bit up in the air, though, as three men played Biden over the course of about five months. Woody Harrelson made three appearances as Biden and gave us this all-time line.

John Mulaeny took his memorable turn as Biden on Leap Day:

And Jason Sudeikis, who played Biden on the show when he was veep, made two cameo appearances as Biden last season.

With Carrey in place, it looks like the show won’t be forced to go with Biden-by-committee again this year. With two old pros as the candidates, the SNL debates this fall should be some of the best in the show’s history.

Happy Birthday Tommy!

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Happy birthday to Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn! The hall of fame player and coach turns 86 today. In addition to all of his accomplishments on the court, generations of basketball fans know him primarily as the crazy uncle/grandfather who has been calling Celtics games with superb play-by-play man Mike Gorman since 1981.

Despite his status as one of the most beloved Boston athletes and sportscasters of all time, it might be easy to forget that T handled some play-by-play duties himself on the road in the ’90s. With today being his birthday, here’s my excuse to open up the YouTube vault and share some classic Tommy Heinsohn highlights from the UPN 38 days. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87MYCN5XdNQ

Final Answers No Longer Final on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

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popculture. – The second episode of ABC’s latest iteration of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? aired Wednesday night, and it had game show fans talking on social media. Tonight’s guests featured SNL alum Will Forte, who ended five questions away from the million-dollar prize. After Forte’s run, comedian Nikki Glaser took the spotlight for a very eventful session in the hot seat…

Though Forte played well, it was a fairly standard round. Glaser, however, had only gotten to the $16,000 question when she accidentally blurted out the wrong response and even tacked on the words “final answer.” While the judges eventually decided in Glaser’s favor, it was a call that wasn’t looked favorably upon by the audience based on the tweets that followed.

I don’t mean to be that guy, but you can’t do that. You can’t change your answer after you utter the words “final” and “answer” back-to-back in the hot seat. I know it’s a celebrity edition, with teams basically, for charity, and in front of an empty audience. But rules are rules.

Cosmo Kramer Chaos GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

If you’re wondering why I’m making such a big deal out of this, it’s because there is precedent on this issue:

I’ve got no issue with Glaser. I’m happy for her that she was allowed to change her answer and keep going, because she is trying to take more money from ABC for a good cause. But I do have a beef with the judges. Allowing Glaser to change her “final” answer would be like Trebek giving celebrities two cracks at a Celebrity Jeopardy Final Jeopardy. And what if Glaser accidentally said “final answer” after unintentionally giving the correct answer? Would the judges have allowed her to change her “final” answer if it had been the correct answer? I shouldn’t even have to ask that, but here we are…

Credit to Jimmy Kimmel, though, for handling this whole fiasco with great aplomb. Don’t forget, before he took over ABC’s late night slot, Kimmel won an Emmy for hosting the Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein’s Money. While Kimmel has bigger fish to fry, last night showed us again how good he is at helming a quizzer.

And just for kicks, here was Kimmel when he was a contestant on Millionaire way back in 2001:

It Looks Like Everyone in Quarantine Is Watching The Price is Right Again

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The Price Is Right' Decides Social Media Is Awesome This Week

Soap Opera Network – Viewers are flocking to CBS’ “The Price is Right” as the legendary game show is achieving ratings highs not seen in more than four years.

For the week of March 30-April 3, 2020, the daytime broadcast leader in terms of viewers and numerous demographics posted its highest viewership numbers since the week of January 18-22, 2016, according to newly released Nielsen Media Research ratings data.

If your childhood was anything like mine, every sick day you spent home from school was spent with Bob Barker. Now, as so many of us stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis, it appears that we are spending our days with Drew Carey.

Thankfully,  I’ve been able to work at home the last few weeks. I’ll be honest, though, my productivity dips around 11 AM each morning. I haven’t watched TPiR this frequently since college. Everyone remembers Plinko and Yodely Guy, but this has given me a chance to enjoy some pricing game deep cuts for the first time in a while. Which got me thinking…

You can only keep three:

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Who ya got?

I’m taking Hole in One, Cliffhangers (Yodely Guy) and Race Game.

I don’t care if I’m putting from the back line in Hole in One. I’d bet my mortgage I could sink that putt if given two chances and that larger-than-regulation sized cup. Cliffhangers might be the easiest game on the show. $25/$35/$45 never loses, I don’t even need to see the prizes. And Race Game just looks fun. As long as you hustle you have a pretty good shot at taking home at least a couple of prizes.

My honorable mention goes to Safe Crackers. I used to love it when they played the Pink Panther music for that game. Also used to love Golden Road, which has offered some of the biggest prizes in the history of the show. At this point in my life, though, I really don’t have the need for an $80,000 RV.

As for Plinko… I love Plinko as much as the next guy, but no one has ever won the top prize on that game. Obviously this is the whole point, but too much is up to chance for me in that game.

Who are you keeping? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Blogger’s Note – I get all of my news from Soap Opera Network. Don’t judge me.

Baseball Stadium in Georgia to Eliminate Ads in 2020

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Refreshing news out of Savannah, Georgia today where the Savannah Bananas of the Coastal Plain League announced that they’ll be taking down all ballpark advertisements for the 2020 season.

It’s not like the Bananas need a new gimmick to get attention or draw more fans. In 2019, they led the CPL in attendance and drew more than twice the number of fans as the next closest team. They were second in the nation in summer collegiate league attendance last year, trailing only the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods league, and have sold out 88 consecutive games overall. That’s what makes this news truly remarkable. This is not some small operation looking to make a social media splash. This is a very successful operation leaving real money on the table in order to forge a stronger bond with its fans.

I’ll be honest, ballpark advertising doesn’t cross my mind when deciding whether or not to drop a few bucks to see the local nine that evening. But compare these two pictures of Fenway Park, one from 1990 and one from 2016:

I counted ten ads between the foul poles (including one for charity) in 1990. I counted twelve on the Monster alone in 2016. I’ll take 1990 Fenway over 2016 Fenway seven days a week and twice on Sundays. [That includes the Monster Seats, for the record. You can have them. Give me the netting any day.]

In this age of limitless corporate sponsorships and ads on jerseys, how much is ever enough? Good for the Bananas for taking a principled stand. Hopefully more teams start doing this, even if just for turn-back-the-clock nights. Now please excuse me while I search for my own yellow tux.

The 300s Previews 2020 MLB Giveaways: The AL Central

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The 300s series previewing the best giveaways on tap across Major League Baseball this season continues today as we take a look around the American League Central.

The AL Central and NL Central are great for summer baseball road trips. There are 10 teams in the central divisions, and every team has at least one opponent within a five hour drive. If you’re in Chicago this summer, you could try to take in a Cubs game and a White Sox game if the schedule allows. If that doesn’t work, though, Milwaukee is less than two hours up Interstate 94. Cleveland and Pittsburgh are only about two hours apart, and Cleveland and Detroit are less than three hours apart.

If you time things right, it’s possible you could cross off three ballparks or more in just one week traveling around the Great Midwest this summer. If you’re ready to roll and just don’t know where to start, maybe one these giveaways will help you make your decision.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Giveaway items go to the first 10,000 fans at Target Field unless otherwise noted.

  • At their home opener on Thursday, April 2, the Twins will be handing out quarter-zip pullovers to the first 30,000 fans. An extra layer could come in handy in Minneapolis on an early April afternoon.
  • Former Twin and 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau was elected to the Twins Hall of Fame this offseason. To celebrate, the team will hand out Morneau Hall of Fame collectors pins to the first 5,000 fans on Friday, May 22.
  • The next day, Saturday, May 23, the Twins will hand out Morneau bobbleheads before his on-field induction ceremony that afternoon.
  • New Twin Josh Donaldson will get the bobblehead treatment on Tuesday, June 16.
  • The Twins are bringing back baby blue this season and on Friday, July 31, fans will receive a baby blue Twins replica jersey as the Twins host the Astros that evening.
  • On Friday, September 18, the Twins will give out stocking caps to the first 30,000 fans at they open their last home series of the season.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

  • On Saturday, May 2, the first 10,000 fans to the ballpark formerly known as The Jake will receive an Indians sweatshirt blanket as the Indians host the Giants.
  • On Saturday, May 30, the first 12,500 fans in attendance will don red Mike Clevinger jerseys for that night’s game against the Royals.

  • On Saturday, July 4th, the first 15,000 fans will receive a 1940 Bob Feller jersey.
  • Shane Bieber gets the bobblehead treatment on Saturday, July 11. The first 15,000 fans will take home an All-Star Game MVP bobblehead.
  • On Friday, July 31, the first 10,000 fans will take home a 1920 cap.
  • The next night, Saturday, August 1, 12,500 fans will take home a 1920 home jersey.
  • The first 12,500 fans on Saturday, August 15, will receive a Franmil Reyes home white jersey as the Indians host the Mariners.
  • A Jose Ramirez “Home Run Pitch” talking bobblehead goes to the first 12,500 fans on Saturday, August 29.
  • A FIFTH jersey giveaway happens on Saturday, September 12, when Oscar Mercado red jerseys will be handed out to the first 12,500 fans.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

  • Opening Day, Thursday, March 26, will be the first Free T-Shirt Thursday of the season at Guaranteed Rate Field. The first 20,00 fans on Opening Day will grab a long-sleeve tee. [Subsequent Free T-Shirt Thursdays will be for the first 10,000 fans.]
  • The first 15,000 fans through the gates on Saturday, March 28, will get to keep warm with a White Sox puffy vest.
  • The first 15,000 fans on Saturday, April 11, will keep warm with a White Sox hoodie.
  • Yoan Moncada will get his bobblehead on Saturday, April 18. The first 20,000 fans will get one as well.
  • The first 15,000 fans on Saturday, May 3, will take home a Los White Sox soccer jersey.
  • For the Saturday, May 16, game against the Blue Jays, the White Sox will give away a 1960 replica scoreboard to the first 15,000 fans.
  • A Tim Anderson bat flip bobblehead will go to the first 20,000 fans on
    Saturday, May 30.
  • Saturday, June 6, will be Margaritaville at the Park. The first 20,000 fans that night will get to celebrate in a free White Sox Hawaiian shirt.
  • The first 20,000 fans on Saturday, June 27, will get a White Sox basketball jersey.
  • Even though the White Sox will be home on September 17, they’ll celebrate halfway to St. Patrick’s Day on August 29 as they host the Astros.
    Image result for hmm gif

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

  • On Sunday, May 17, the Royals host the Dodgers and the first 10,000 fans will take home a Jackie Robinson Monarchs t-shirt.
  • The first 15,000 fans on Saturday, May 23, will take home a Jorge “Soler Power” bobblehead.
  • On Saturday, June 6, Hunter “Bull-Dozier” bobbleheads will be given out to the first 15,000 fans.
  • The first 10,000 fans to The K on Friday, June 12, will walk out wearing a 1970 Royals away jersey.
  • On Saturday, June 13, 15,000 fans will receive a Whit Merrifield “Hit Counter” bobblehead.
  • On Friday, June 26, the first 10,000 fans 21 and older will receive a Hawaiian shirt from Miller Lite.
  • The first 10,000 fans on Saturday, June 27, will receive a bullpen cart. No further details at this time, but this could be a good one.
  • Saturday, July 25, will be Christmas in July at Kauffman Stadium and the first 15,000 fans will receive a Whitey Herzog bobblehead.
  • The first 15,000 fans on Saturday, August 8, will take home a George Brett MVP bobblehead.
  • In case it’s chilly in late September, the Royals will hand out lightweight hoodies to the first 10,000 fans on Saturday, September 26.

DETROIT TIGERS

All items presented to the first 10,000 fans at Comerica Park unless otherwise noted.

  • On Saturday, April 25, fans will receive a Tigers scarf as the Tigers host the Padres.
  • On Friday, May 22, fans will receive a Tigers chip and dip bowl courtesy of Frito-Lay.
  • On Saturday, May 23, the Tigers will be giving away Tigers Hawaiian shirts.
  • On Wednesday, June 17, fans will take home a home plate welcome mat.
  • Friday, July 17, will be Niko Goodrum desk mate bobblehead night when the Tigers host the White Sox.
  • On Saturday, July 18, fans will receive a Detroit Stars fedora.
  • Friday, July 31, will be Ron Gardenhire bobblehead night as the Tigers take on the Royals.
  • On Saturday, August 15, the first 10,000 fans 21 and older will receive a Fiesta Tigres replica joursey courtesy of Miller Lite.
  • Saturday, August 29, will be Lou Whitaker replica jersey giveaway night.

 

Highlights of the AL Central giveaway schedule include a baby blue Twins replica jersey, a 1940 Bob Feller jersey, a 1960 Comiskey Park replica scoreboard, a George Brett bobblehead, and a Lou Whitaker jersey. The sweet Lou Whitaker Tigers road jersey gets the top spot on my list, but the top team spot is reserved for the Indians. With five jersey giveaways planned for this summer, maybe this is finally the year I explore Drew Carey’s hometown.

Image result for drew carey ohio

The 300s Previews 2020 MLB Giveaways: The AL East

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IMG_3035

With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror, and the dog days of the NHL and NBA seasons upon us, it’s time to look forward to baseball season. Long summer days will be here before we know it, so now is the time to take a look at the schedules, put in those summer vacation requests, map out the road trips and book some flights.

If you’re going to make the trek to a new ballpark this season, why not get a free souvenir while you’re there? I planned my first trip to Kauffman Stadium around a Royals 50th season hat giveaway. I drove to Milwaukee a few summers ago specifically to add a powder blue Paul Molitor Brewers jersey to my collection. I once scheduled a California vacation around around Angels Oktoberfest to snag a free glass boot mug. Maybe that free powder blue Cardinals jersey is the incentive I need to finally get to Busch Stadium this summer.

With just over five weeks to go until Opening Day, The 300s will take a look at some of the best giveaways on the docket for the upcoming the 2020 MLB season. You won’t find details on schedule magnets here. We’re on the lookout for jerseys, bobbleheads, and other unique knickknacks. Stuff you can put on the shelves of your own Adam Shefter office at home. So let us help you pick out the dates to circle on your calendars, and let the Quest For 30 continue.

Today, we kick off this series by taking a look at the promotions and giveaways on tap in the American League East in 2020.

NEW YORK YANKEES

All items presented to the first 18,000 fans at Yankee Stadium unless otherwise noted.

  • Friday, April 24, will be Don Mattingly Bobblehead Night.
  • Sunday, May 10, will be Mother’s Day and before the Yankees take on the Red Sox that night they will hand out Yankees purses to the first 18,000 fans 18 and older.
  • On Friday, May 22, the first 18,000 fans 21 and older will receive a 2000 World Champions Commemorative Beer Stein from Budweiser.
  • Aaron Judge will get the bobblehead treatment on Friday, July 10.
  • On Saturday, July 11, the first 18,000 fans 21 and older will receive a Yankees Camo Cap from Budweiser for Military Appreciation Day.
  • Tuesday, July 21, will be another cap night. No further details yet on what type of cap will be offered this evening.
  • Thursday, August 6, will be Andy Pettite Bobblehead Night.
  • While not a giveaway day, Old-Timers’ Day 2020 will be Sunday, August 9.
  • August the 21st be with you. The Yankees will be giving out Gleyber Torres Mandalorian bobbleheads on that night.
  • Friday, September 25, could be a cool night in the Bronx so the Yanks will be handing out Yankees knit caps that night.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Mostly bobbleheads in our highlights of Rays 2020 promotions. Bobbleheads go to “all fans, while supplies last.”

  • On Saturday, May 9, the Rays host the Rangers and will give out Charlie Morton audio bobbleheads.
  • On Saturday, May 30, the Rays host the Brewers and will give out Willy Adames audio bobbleheads.
  • Tyler Glasnow will get the audio bobblehead treatment on Saturday, June 13, as the Rays host the O’s.
  • Saturday, June 27, will see the Rays hand out Ji-Man Choi audio bobbleheads as they host the Mariners.
  • Tuesday, July 28, will see Blake Snell get the audio bobblehead treatment as the Rays host the Marlins.
  • Saturday, August 29, will be Austin Meadows audio bobblehead night as the Rays host the Twins.

BOSTON RED SOX

No details yet on how many fans will receive each item. We’ll update this post as that information becomes available.

  • David Ortiz will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in April, and on Tuesday, April 7, fans at Fenway will receive a Big Papi Red Sox Hall of Fame Series bobblehead.
  • Also getting inducted into the Sox Hall in April is Manny Ramirez. He gets his Red Sox Hall of Fame Series bobblehead on Tuesday, May 19.
  • On Tuesday, May 26, Red Sox fans can receieve a Red Sox bucket hat.
  • Rafael Devers bobbleheads will be given out on Tuesday, June 16.
  • A hat designed by Xander Bogaerts will be given out on Tuesday, June 30. No further details are available at this time, but it has to be better than this year’s Sox spring training hat.
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  • On Tuesday, September 22, Fenway fans will receive a Pedro Martinez Funk Pop.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

All items presented to the first 15,000 fans at Rogers Centre unless otherwise noted.

  • On Opening Day, Thursday, March 26, the first 45,000 fans will receive a Blue Jays t-shirt as the Jays open up against the Red Sox.
  • On Saturday, March 28, the Blue Jays will be giving away Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Home Run Counter bobbleheads.
  • Tuesday, March 31, will be the first dollar dog night of the season in Toronto, known as “Loonie Dogs Night” north of the border.
  • Monday, May 18, will be Cavan Biggio “Hit For The Cycle” Bobblehead Giveaway Day.
  • Saturday, May 23, will be Blue Jays Country Day and  the Jays will be handing out army green Blue Jays hats to mark the occasion.
  • On Saturday, June 6, fans will receive a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Piña Power Beach Shirt.
  • On Friday, June 26, the Blue Jays will hand out Hyun-jin Ryu blue replica jerseys.
  • Wednesday, July 1, will be Canada Day and fans can receive a Vlad & Dad dual bobblehead to celebrate.
  • On Friday, July 31, the Blue Jays will hand out Randal Grichuk #NEWBLUE replica jerseys.
  • On Saturday, August 1, fans will receive a Blue Jays floppy (bucket) hat.
  • “Bo Flow” Bobblehead Giveaway Day will be Monday, August 3.
  • A hat designed by Hyun-jin Ryu will be given out on Saturday, August 29.
  • On Saturday, September 19, some chilly fans could walk home in a Blue Jays vest.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Most giveaways listed below go to fans 15 and over, unless otherwise noted.

  • For Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10, the first 10,000 female fans 18 and over will receive an Orioles infinity scarf.
  • On Monday, May 25, the first 15,000 fans will take home an Orioles beach towel.
  • On Saturday, May 30, the first 20,000 fans will taken home a Jim Palmer bobblehead.
  • On Sunday, May 31, the first 20,000 fans will receive an Orioles cap.
  • The first 20,000 fans 21 and over at Oriole Park on Friday, June 19, will take home an Orioles floppy hat, thanks to Miller Lite.
  • On Saturday, June 20, the first 20,000 fans will take home an Oriole Bird Hall of Fame bobblehead.
  • The Orioles will hand out Orioles soccer jerseys to the first 20,000 fans on
    Saturday, June 27.
  • Birdland Hawaiian shirts will be given out to the first 20,000 fans on
    Saturday, July 18.
  • The Orioles will hand out 1970 World Series Brooks Robinson replica jerseys to the first 20,000 fans on Saturday, August 8, as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 World Series.
  • Saturday, August 22, will be Boog Powell bobblehead day for the first 20,000 fans as the O’s host the Red Sox.
  • Sunday, September 6, will be Cal Ripken, Jr. bobblehead day for the first 25,000 fans as the O’s host the Yankees.

 

Highlights of the A.L. East slate include the Yankees 2000 World Champions Commemorative Beer Stein, Big Papi and Manny Ramirez Red Sox Hall of Fame bobbles, a Blue Jays powder blue jersey, and a 1970 World Series Brooks Robinson jersey.

The Blues Jays look to have the most promising giveaway slate in the division, while the Rays could stand to add some variety. The O’s have a promising slate planned as well but lose points for limiting many giveaways to fans 15 and older. Understandably, alcohol sponsored givewaways are limited to fans 21 and older by most teams, but good luck to the Baltimore retiree working at Camden Yards on June 20 trying to explain why little Timmy doesn’t get an Oriole Bird bobblehead.

 

Celebrity Jeopardy Was Inexplicably Missing on Saturday Night

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Image result for snl trebek

Welp, there was no Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL this weekend. Judging by Twitter reactions, I wasn’t the only one who was disappointed.

And this guy gets it exactly right.

At least we’ll see one of the greatest sketches of all time on the Thanksgiving special Wednesday night…