Food Obsession

In 2017, there was an explosion in Minor League food related caps.

The Rochester Red Wings became the "Plates" for one day in homage to a dish that is unique to the area.

The Red Wings are  the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

Charlotte Pitmasters who are usually the Charlotte Knights and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Wiktionary tells me that a pitmaster is a term of respect for someone who is skilled at barbecuing.

The Sacramento Tomatoes, who are usually the River Cats, joined the party with this homage to their local vegetable.

The River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the an Francisco Giants.

The list could go on and on.  
I'm not saying that I do not like the concept.  

             

But who started this?  I had to investigate.
I have to start here:

The internet tells me that employees of the Wilmington Blue Rocks found a celery costume in the bowels of the stadium before the 2000 season. 

Sometime during that season, an employee decided to run onto the field and do a "celebration dance" when the Blue Rocks scored a run.

I have attended a Wilmington game and witnessed this first hand...it is something.

The crowd loved it and so did New Era. Celery Man would sell  as a Batting Practice Cap for the Blue Rocks..

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are an Advanced-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

In 2004, the Orlando Rays relocated to Montgomery, Alabama.  In a name the team contest, the Montgomery Biscuits came out on top.  This was a historic move in the industry.

 

While most logos and names are developed by Brandiose, the internet gives credit to Professional Marketing Services for this creation.

Fast forward to Reading, Pennsylvania to the 2012 Eastern League All-Star Game.

This is where "Bunbino" would make his debut.  The Reading Fightin Phils would wear this cap on road games.

Reading plays in an older stadium and has a long standing relationship with the Phillies. Not to mention a history of conservative on-field caps.

Where would the idea for this cap come from? 

At every Reading home game, this character charges out on the field and whips hot dogs into the stands.                                                  

The "Crazy Hot Dog Guy" is wildly popular and in some way fits into "Bunbino's creation.

  It's worth mentioning that Reading would even feature the ostrich in an on-field cap.

In 2014, the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs  would get involved and take this promotion/concept to a new level.

The Ironpigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies

and began play in 2008 at Coca-Cola field in Allentown, PA.

2015 saw the Fresno Grizzlies become the "Tacos"  This was wildly popular  amongst cap collectors and not lost on the Grizzlies or New Era.

 "Taco Tuesday"still continues and a new version of the cap is produced yearly.

In 2017, The Ironpigs and Grizzlies promoted a twitter war...even though they never play each other.

 Fightin Bacon vs,  Fightin Taco.

I have to give the Ironpigs credit for the 2016 "Salute to Philadelphia" Night in 2016.

They produced logos of the cap "With Onions" and "Without Onions"

I was disappointed when they used the same logo in 2017 for the "Whiz Kids" promotion.

 

Montgomery would offer this to fans in the Spring of 2017:

And last but not least....Reading would become the "Whoopie Pies" in August of 2017.

Where will this end?

My predictions is that we will see MLB teams adopting  this very shortly.

Don't believe me?  The seed has already been planted (not by me).

My favorite is Seattle.  If you have some other info....please email me so I can update the post.

Thanks for reading   :)