Mets affiliate to host 'Seinfeld Night'
— -- In honor of the 25th anniversary of the first "Seinfeld" show, the New York Mets' Class A affiliate in Brooklyn will host "Seinfeld Night" in July.
The first 2,500 fans in attendance at MCU Park on July 5 will receive a Keith Hernandez "Magic Loogie" bobblehead, commemorating the episode in which Kramer and Newman accused the former Mets first baseman of spitting at them after a game.
Seinfeld famously defended Hernandez by introducing the "Magic Loogie Theory." The episode was in 1992, but the original pilot, called "Seinfeld Chronicles," aired on July 5, 1989.
For the game, the team will rename its stadium Vandelay Industries Park, after the latex company George tells the unemployment office he might work for. The Cyclones say people who present legitimate business cards showing they are latex salesmen will get in for free.
Thanks to Newman, mailmen in uniform will throw out the first pitch. Fans will have a chance to take part in an eating contest featuring cereal, Jerry's favorite food, and there will be a dancing contest where fans will try to "dance" just like Elaine. To commemorate one of Jerry's most awkward moments, the Cyclones will wear puffy shirts during batting practice.
Team spokesman Billy Harner said that Hernandez's presence at the game is not likely because the Mets play the Texas Rangers that night and Hernandez is expected to be broadcasting the game. Harner said the team has gone through the Mets to request an appearance by Seinfeld.
Seinfeld, a Mets fan, joined Hernandez in the booth in September last season to call a couple of innings of a game on the local broadcast on SNY.
The Cyclones aren't the only minor league team to have a "Seinfeld Night." The Toledo Mudhens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, are also having a promotional night in August to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the show.