Bran-Torino
Its cute, right? Detroit steps out of the box and pairs up with Philly to push the vote for Brandon Inge and Shane Victorino. Here’s the press release:
DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have teamed with the Philadelphia Phillies to vote for both Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote.
The Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, two of baseball’s most storied franchises, are encouraging businesses located throughout Michigan and Pennsylvania to allow their employees time today and tomorrow to vote for Inge and Victorino.
Tigers fans who vote for Inge at least 100 times on www.tigers.com in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote are now eligible to win a “Deliver the Game Ball to the Mound” fantasy package.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows a fan to deliver the game ball to the pitcher’s mound prior to the first pitch and two infield box seats and parking for the Tigers game on Tuesday, August 4. Additionally, the winner will receive a Tigers batting practice jersey, dinner for two in the Champions Club, a picture taken at the pitcher’s mound during game ball delivery and a scoreboard announcement of the winner’s name as they deliver the game ball.
Vote for Inge and Victorino online at www.tigers.com/vote or www.phillies.com. Fans have until 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 9 to vote. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter.
Mobile voting is available exclusively on Sprint capable mobile phones and fans can send the word “Vote” to 1122 to receive the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote ballot. Standard text rates apply. In Canada, fans should text the word “Vote” to 88555.
My wife’s originally from Philly, and her favorite player of all time is Mike Schmidt. So I think this is a great pairing… though honestly I’ve been stuffing the ballet box with an Inge / Sandoval combo. Because, no offense to any National league player not named Albert Pujols, but Pablo Sandoval is f’ing awesome (and not yet 23 years old). Actually I’m heading to the Giants / Marlins game in a few minutes to watch Sandoval play.
Random story: Last year at this time, I went to the Giants / Tigers game. Galarraga was pitching for Detroit, and the Giants were making their push for Aaron Rowand to make the all-star team. Rowland comes up with the bases loaded, two outs… and strikes out. The Giants for some reason decided that was the best time to run the “vote Aaron Rowand!” campaign over the big screen TV at the stadium. Aaron looked just a little embarrassed as he jogged out to center field.