The Kansas City Royals sold out all 800 of the tickets they made available for their Game of Thrones Night, a Wednesday, July 19, matchup against the Detroit Tigers. During the pregame Ryan Lefebvre, the Royals’ longtime radio and television broadcaster, announced to listeners that “It’s Game of Thrones Night at The K.” His partner, Rex Hudler, then admitted that he’d never heard of “Game of Thrones” because he’s “not a big ‘Star Wars’ fan.”
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ theme nights
were literally A-to-Z. Autism Awareness Day was held on opening weekend, and Zombie Night was held Sept. 26.
Thanks to the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, there are about 100,000 more loud shirts in the world. Each club hosted a Hawaiian shirt giveaway.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds each scheduled promotions during series against the Boston Red Sox that celebrated their long-ago World Series victories over that franchise. The Cardinals on May 16 gave 30,000 fans a replica 1967 World Series Championship ring, presented by Ameren Missouri. Related Budweiser-sponsored events also took place during the series. From Sept. 22-24, the Reds offered a special ticket package that included a limited-edition 1975 World Series replica ring.
The New York Yankees held their 70th annual Old-Timers’ Day on Sunday, June 12, at Yankee Stadium. It is the longest-running game-day promotion in the league.
Sixteen clubs offered a special ticket to a game that allowed a small number of fans to bring their dog to the ballpark. The Chicago White Sox, which hosted two such games, were the only ones to post this request online: “Do not bring a female dog in heat.”
One-third of the MLB clubs offered a ticket package designed for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community last season, up from six in 2016 and four two years ago.
Four clubs featured an activation that showcased their spring training home.