Crap.
That high-pitched keening and wailing you hear? Yeah, that’s not just Red Sox fans howling in agony after learning this evening that David Ortiz will definitely be out 2 weeks, almost definitely be out a month or more… and may actually need season-ending surgery. Countdown to potential fanbase meltdown at the thought of trying to make a championship run without Big Papi in the lineup starts in 3…2…1…
If you listen closely, you can also hear the folks at MLB and State Farm banging their heads against the wall at the prospect of trying to find a way to pull off their high-profile Call Big Papi’s Shot promotion at the All-Star Game… without, you know, Big Papi.
After hyping up the event for weeks, State Farm may not have Big Papi at their disposal after all. Fortunately, they seem to have a fairly sharp legal team, who made sure to add this language to the contest description:
[T]he grand-prize winner will meet David Ortiz* and call their shot at the State Farm Home Run Derby® for a chance to win a Chevy Tahoe hybrid & a 2009 MLB ticket package*Actual athlete to participate in “Call Your Shot” event to be designated by Sponsor and may not be athlete mentioned
I’m sure if they just substitute in a reasonable equivalent, no one will even notice. I hear Barry Bonds is looking for a gig…
The thought of Bonds…gag.
Note to Theo: If Big Papi is out for the season :: shudders :: Bonds is *not* acceptable in a Sox uni. Never.
this makes me really glad I don’t work in promotions anymore.
crap like this used to happen all the time.
can’t they just substitute Manny in there?
Bonds is like clubhouse cancer – I picture him making Sean Casey cry, so I dont think anyone thinks this would be a good addition to the team.
Conspiracy theory: the Yankees planted a super-duper heavy bat in place of Ortiz’s usual one, so he’d strain his wrist and wouldn’t be able to do the promotion. :P