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

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.

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.