Harrisburg Senators vs. Erie SeaWolves – Iguana Bobblehead Night

My fourth and final bobblehead game of the summer took me back to Harrisburg, PA. The Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Washington Nationals) took on the Erie SeaWolves (AA of the Detroit Tigers). The Senators lost 8-4.

When the Nationals traded Juan Soto to the Padres one of the players they received in return was CF Robert Hassell III. Hassell is currently playing for the Senators. Doing a quick eBay search you can clearly see collectors/investors think of him as a major prospect in the minor league system.

It was Playeros de Harrisburg night. According to the Senators “Harrisburg’s “Playeros” identity, which roughly translates to “beachgoers,” connects the familial bonding of going to the beach to the importance of family to the Hispanic community. The beach-themed moniker also celebrates the team’s home on City Island.”

The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a Playeros de Harrisburg Iguana bobblehead. Both the head and tail bobble. It looks like something you’ed get if you combined Jurassic Park and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Robert Hassell III #9

Robert Hassell III

State College Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Wally Triplett Bobblehead Night

My second bobblehead night within a week! The other being the Harrisburg Senators vs. Altoona Curve.

On Friday, July 29th I saw another MLB Draft League game. This time the game took place in Happy Valley between the State College Spikes and Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The Spikes went on to win 6-3.

You know if I’m attending the game there must be a bobblehead giveaway. The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a talking bobblehead of Wally Triplett. Upon pushing the button on the bobblehead’s base the crowd cheers “We are… We are… We are… Thank you.”

Who is Wally Triplett? He was a halfback who played for Penn State in the 1940s. After college he went on to play for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Cardinals.

Wally Triplett’s career accomplishments:

• Back – 1948 Cotton Bowl – caught the game-tying TD pass – 2018 Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Inductee
• 1949 Draft Choice – Detroit Lions – 1st black player drafted by an NFL team to play in the NFL
• Single-game Lions record – total kick return yards – 294 – (10/29/50)
• 1st NFL player drafted to serve in the Korean War
• 594th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army

When it comes to cards of Wally Triplett he only has two – 1948 Topps Magic Photos #1R, and 1950 Bowman #109. The Bowman is considered to be his true rookie card.

Cheeseburger, fries, and cinnamon roasted cashews for dinner.

Beaver Stadium across the street

Harrisburg Senators vs. Altoona Curve – Gregg Mace Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame Induction

It was a hot night for a baseball game in Harrisburg, PA. The Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Washington Nationals) took on the Altoona Curve (AA of the Pittsburgh Pirates). At the end of the night the Senators won 2-1.

One of the main attractions on City Island is the Harrisburg Senators Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame. Each year they induct a new member. On July 23, 2022 we saw former WHTM ABC-27 Sports Director Gregg Mace get inducted. In 2019 he passed away. He never missed a Senators opening day from 1987 to 2019. The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a replica bobblehead.

On August 27, 2022 the Harrisburg Senators are scheduled to give out a Playeros de Harrisburg Iguana bobblehead. Although they haven’t posted any pictures of that bobblehead on social media yet, I did see some images of it around the ballpark. It looks really cool.

Cheeseburger, fries, and a dish of chocolate ice cream for dinner.

Altoona Curve

Harrisburg Senators 3B Omar Meregildo

Harrisburg Senators SS Gilbert Lara

Williamsport Crosscutters vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Ed Ott Bobblehead Night

On the evening of Friday, June 17th I attended a Williamsport Crosscutters game. The Crosscutters took on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and won 9-5. Historic Bowman Field is the same place they play the MLB Little League Classic. The Orioles and Red Sox are scheduled to play here in August.

No longer associated with the Phillies, the Crosscutters are a founding member of the MLB Draft League which was formed in 2021. The MLB Draft League is a summer collegiate baseball league that is for top draft-eligible prospects leading up to the MLB draft. Only six teams make up the league – Williamsport Crosscutters, State College Spikes, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Frederick Keys, Trenton Thunder, and the West Virginia Black Bears.

Former Pirates and Angels catcher Ed Ott was the guest of honor. He lives close by in Montgomery, PA. One of his career highlights was when he tripled on a misplayed ball in the outfield before scoring the winning run on a throwing error. In 1979 he won the World Series with the Pirates beating the Orioles. Card #594 in the 1976 Topps set is where you will find his rookie card.

Former Pirates and Angels catcher Ed Ott talking on the field before the game.

The first 1,000 fans attending the game received an Ed Ott bobblehead.

Photos: Ryan Zimmerman Life Size Bobblehead Night & Spencer Torkelson Might Be “The Fonz”

The Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) took on the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) on Saturday, August 7, 2021. The Senators lost 7-0.

Before the game began the Senators unveiled their newest addition to their Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame. Mr. National a.k.a. Ryan Zimmerman now has a life size bobblehead on display at FNB Field. The first 750 fans through the gate received a replica bobblehead.

While eating my dinner at the River City Grille I looked over the rosters for both teams. None of the names on the Senators roster rang any bells, but two names stuck out from the SeaWolves – Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. Both are highly watched prospects. Riley Greene hit a lead off home run.

Spencer Torkelson doing his best impression of “The Fonz”.

Spencer Torkelson #7

Spencer Torkelson can fly!

Spencer Torkelson running towards 3rd base.

Spikes vs. Black Bears – Ki-Jana Carter Bobblehead Night & Autograph Signing

Last Sunday, the 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention came to an end.  But I’m still going.  This show must go on!!!

On Friday night I attended my fourth and final minor league game of the summer.  The game took place in State College, PA between the Spikes and the West Virginia Black Bears.  The Spikes went on to lose 3-2.  A local Shikellamy High School graduate, Nick Dunn, was recently drafted by the Cardinals and plays for the Spikes right now.  I got to see him score.  I suspect he’ll get his first cards in Bowman Draft later this year.

There were two reasons why I wanted to attend this game.  The main objective was to be one of the first 1,000 fans through the gate so I could obtain my Ki-Jana Carter bobblehead.  The former Penn State running back and 1994 All-American was also in attendance.  Before the game started he was down on the field giving interviews, throwing out the first pitch, and handing out additional bobbleheads to fans.  Shortly after the game began, the Spikes had a table setup for him down the first base line.  Once he started signing, the line moved fairly quickly.  I got him to autograph my Rawlings black/gold Penn State football.  Everyone was allowed (1) autograph and (1) photo.  This was the first time I had ever participated in an autograph signing during a baseball game.  It went very smoothly.

Ki-Jana Carter was the Round #1 Pick #1 in the 1995 NFL Draft.  He went on to play for the Bengals, Redskins, Packers, and Saints.  For the price of a ticket, I got a bobblehead, autograph, and photo.  Not too bad.

Penn State running back and 1994 All-American Ki-Jana Carter

Nookie Monster!

State College Spikes second baseman Nick Dunn

Harrisburg Senators vs. Altoona Curve – 5/26/18 – Strasburg Life Size Bobblehead Unveiling

Twenty-one years ago I attended my first professional baseball game on City Island to watch the Harrisburg Senators take on the New Haven Ravens.  Its a game I’ll never forget because one of the Ravens players gave me a free bat while walking by my section.  I still have that bat hanging on my wall.  I have no clue as to who the player was, but I like to imagine it was Todd Helton.

This summer I’m set to attend one minor league game per month.  All bobblehead giveaways.  My first game this summer took me back to City Island where it all began.  The Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Nationals) were taking on the Altoona Curve (AA of the Pirates).  Two Washington Nationals players, Brian Goodwin and Daniel Murphy, were down with the Senators doing some rehab work.  On Saturday night the Senators inducted Stephen Strasburg into their Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame.  The first 1,500 fans through the gates received a replica bobblehead.  Altoona went on to beat the Senators 10-6.

For awhile, the ballpark food at FNB Field seemed fairly normal.  Last year however, I discovered the River City Grille which is located around the backside of the stadium.  Their burgers and fries are superb.  Its become a “must-have” now when I go.  The Hershey’s ice cream next door is good too.

The Harrisburg Senators will have a card featured in 2018 Topps Pro Debut.  It will be part of the Fragments of the Farm set featuring a piece of base from FNB Field.

New video screen above the main gates

Vladimir Guerrero, Cliff Floyd, Bryce Harper, Matt Stairs, Brandon Phillips, Stephen Strasburg

Will Craig of the Altoona Curve

Daniel Murphy

Daniel Murphy

Harrisburg Senators vs. Akron RubberDucks – 7/9/16 – Floyd Life-Sized Bobblehead Unveiled

Its almost been twenty years since I attended my first professional baseball game on City Island.  After the Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Nationals) cancelled their Star Wars-themed bobblehead last year I wasn’t sure if I’d go back.  But given how close I am to this stadium, it doesn’t take much for me to change my mind.

On Saturday, July 9th, the Harrisburg Senators gave out Cliff Floyd bobbleheads to the first 1,500 fans.  This bobblehead is an exact replica of the life-sized bobblehead of him they unveiled before the game.  Back in April they did the same thing with Vladimir Guerrero, and next month the Senators will do it with Bryce Harper.  Guerrero, Floyd, and Harper will round out their inaugural life-sized Bobblehead Hall of Fame class.  This was the first time I had ever seen a life-sized bobblehead in person.  I wasn’t sure where they were going to be located.  It turned out that both of them were right behind my seat near the end of the walkway.  They look really cool.  Cliff Floyd was suppose to be there, but couldn’t make it.  Instead he sent a video message.  I think after the season ends, these giant bobbleheads will be moved to a more permanent location.

This was the first time I had been to a Senators game since First National Bank purchased Metro Bank.  Nothing really changed much other than the signs.  Before grabbing some dinner, I took a look around the gift shop.  I picked up a 25th and 30th anniversary pin, plus a Forever Collectibles Harrisburg Senators retro-bobblehead.  When returning to my seat with chicken fingers, fries, and ice cream, I found a baseball scout in my spot.  He was just looking for a place to sit.  I thought he wanted to sign me to a team.  For a second there I thought I might get a deal like Mickey Moniak.  Once again my athletic talent has been overlooked.

The Senators played the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday and lost 6-3.

RubberDucks pitcher Rob Kaminsky

Kaminsky and catcher Jeremy Lucas

Senators pitcher Phillips Valdez

State College Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – 8/9/15 – The Bus Bobblehead Night

A lot of fans came out to watch the State College Spikes take on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Sunday night.  Good baseball wasn’t the only reason people came out though.  It was Jerome Bettis bobblehead night!!!  The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a commemorative Jerome Bettis Hall of Fame Gold Jacket bobblehead.  I think the coolest part of this specific bobblehead is that the platform he’s standing on is in the shape of a bus.  Jerome Bettis was once or still is involved with a company that owns different minor league baseball teams including the Spikes.  That’s why I think they did this.  Plus he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame over the weekend too and is a PA favorite.

The Spikes went on to win 4-1 over the Scrappers.  Instead of having chicken fingers and fries, I went for a cheeseburger this time.  I could smell them on the grill while waiting to get in.  Everything in the gift shop was 20% off as long as it had black and/or gold on it.  So I picked myself up a new “Fear The Dear” t-shirt.

LuCKy the Lion from Lion Country Kia.

Crosscutters vs. Muckdogs – 7/17/15 – Doubleheader – Bobbleheads

On Friday evening the Williamsport Crosscutters played a doubleheader against the Batavia Muckdogs.  Williamsport went on to win both games 4-3 and 8-0.  The first 1,000 fans through the gate for Game 1 received a Pat Borders bobblehead.  Pat Borders is the new Manager of the Crosscutters, and was the 1992 World Series MVP with the Blue Jays.

Before finding a seat, I took a stroll through the Saw Mill Gift Shop.  I was able to pickup three new pins I didn’t have.  The pins I found look to be leftover stadium giveaways they gave out last year.

Jose Pujols at bat.

Jesus Posso at bat.

Gabriel Castellanos pitching for the Muckdogs.

Missing the “N”.

Pat Borders bobblehead given to the first 1,000 fans.