While ballparks often have promotional giveaways throughout the season, luring people to games on unpopular days of the week, the Reading Phillies may have cornered the market on bizarre baseball collectibles.
On Tuesday Aug. 3, the first 2,500 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium will receive their very own Ryan Howard Garden Gnome.
What the Inquirer rightfully calls “creepy” and TheFightins.com calls "the ultimate giveaway," this statue of unknown dimensions bears little resemblance to the Phillies first baseman, while providing an absurd likeness that’s slightly reminiscent of a lawn jockey.
The lawn ornament depicts Howard, who played 102 games for Reading in 2004, on bended knee with a long, grey beard; huge clown-like shoes; and a black bat that looks more like a billy club. A Reading Phillies wizard hat tops it all off.
So head on up to the Reading Aug. 3 to get your piece of oddball baseball swag. You could always use it as a theft deterrent. It’s certainly scary enough.
And, be sure to get to the ballpark early for the Jimmy Buffet Tribute planned for the same night. Maybe Ryan Howard Parrotheads would have made a more appropriate giveaway.
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