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